Friday 30th October – Wednesday 4th November 2026
Overview of the retreat:
We’ll explore each stage of the picturebook process together: from generating ideas through to making rough sketches and eventually finished illustrations.
You’ll learn about character, pacing, plot and composition… plus this year Lizzy’s running some new workshops on the art of silent picturebooks!
This is a powerful and exciting way of developing your visual storytelling: by learning how to convey narrative, characters and emotions entirely through images, you’ll deepen your understanding of visual narrative in ways that will greatly enrich and stregthen your project, whether you’re planning to create a book with words or without.
Alongside studio sessions, we’ll go sketching around Rome together, drawing inspiration from this stunning city, from each other and from Lizzy’s generous approach to teaching.
Joining this small group of fellow creatives you’ll have plenty of time to write and illustrate your picturebook (or get a longer narrative such as a graphic novel underway) with the benefit of thoughtful one-to-one feedback and the rare opportunity of working closely with Lizzy in an intimate, supportive setting.
You’ll have a fun, exploratory time that will open up new creative avenues for you!
Meet Lizzy Stewart:
Lizzy writes and illustrates fabulously fun and imaginative picturebooks. In 2017 her book ‘There’s a Tiger in the Garden’ won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the World Illustration Award!
She teaches illustration on the MA at Goldsmiths University in London, and has also taught courses at the Tate and on behalf of the National Portrait Gallery.
Lizzy’s also writes and illustrates books for adults, which have been called “stunning synthesis of graphic novel and literary fiction”.
A novel I have recently loved to bits. By the inimitable Lizzy Stewart… Friendship, ambition, class, houses, the 1970s – 1990s, love, and coloured illustrations, of course. She’s so damn good.
– Jessie Burton, author of THE MINIATURIST
Lizzy Stewart’s characters feel to me like friends. I want to have a drink with them, hug them, shake them…. The Wreck is a tender and wise portrait of love and friendship that ponders with an astonishingly light touch big questions to do with who we are and how we live. She’s done it again!
– Chloë Ashby, author of SECOND SELF
What’s included?
- Welcome drinks and a delicious, vegetarian buffet at Inky Larks on the first night.
- 5 1/2 days at the Inky Larks studio to delve into your picturebook project and craft your dummy book.
- 5 Picturebook Making Workshops with Lizzy. You’ll learn about generating ideas, character, pacing, plot and composition… and more!
- Daily Sketching Outings at the stunning sites around the Inky Larks studio, at a museum/gallery and around the quaint cafès and squares.
- Daily Feedback sessions to get personal support and inspiration for your picturebook.
- Breakfast every day on the Inky Larks roof terrace with freshly baked cornetti, cappuccino, fruit and tea.
- On the last night we’ll read out our completed dummy books, and celebrate the great work done with a fabulous, festive homemade Italian dinner and drinks!
N.B. Please note that accomodation is not included. If you’d like a list of b&bs, hotels, rentals etc. which are walking distance to the Inky Larks studio, fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page. We’ll be very happy to send it to you!
Cost:
Until the 30th June you can catch the Early Bird 20% discount and pay only 572 € (479 £) instead of the full 715 € (599 £). Check the box below to see all the goodies that are included!
What People Loved About Lizzy’s Previous Retreats::
This retreat was everything I hoped it would be — and more. I arrived with a picture book dummy I had been stuck on for over a year, and I left with a completely fresh new version, renewed motivation, and ideas for at least three more picture books. I also came away with so much valuable feedback — and so many laughs — shared with fellow artists on Diletta’s wonderful terrace. It’s strange and beautiful how quickly you can feel close to people when you all share something you truly love.
Diletta and Lizzy put the fun back into the work… Lizzy adapted her teaching to the needs of each student and genuinely listened. I especially appreciated the balance between practical guidance and honest, thoughtful feedback, as well as her willingness to share insights from her own professional journey and creative process. One of the best investments I’ve ever made — and one that is still bearing fruit. – Francesco
It was such an inspiring and enjoyable week. – Tom
Lizzy Stewart is a fabulous teacher. She is down to earth, engaging and has a depth of knowledge in the picture book and graphic novel industry that she is generous in sharing. I greatly enjoyed my time drawing and exploring ideas with Lizzy, Diletta and fellow picture book enthusiasts in one of the most beautiful settings ever and I do hope I get the chance to fly back to the Inky Larks rooftop again. – Sara
Delicious breakfasts, beautiful space to work, a very attentive teacher who is full of encouragement, well versed in helping solve story and drawing problems…
It did feel like a week of living out my dream career really: walking past ancient ruins and medieval buildings on the morning commute, passing by random events Rome happens to be hosting that day, like a half marathon or some military parade, having a delicious breakfast on a roof top, perusing a sizeable library of inspiration, and planning a new kids book, probably with a fab lunch from a Jewish cafe, maybe with a plain air sketching excursion at some point, and maybe having a walk to a beautiful landmark or two on the way back to my lodgings.- James
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Italian