Wild Botanicals: Botanical Monoprinting
& Plant lore
Next Retreat: September 7 – 13 2027
The wild Botanicals experience
Wild Botanicals returns 7–13 September 2027.
Wild Botanicals combines contemporary printmaking with botanical exploration, offering a creative immersion in the landscapes, plants, and traditions of rural Umbria.
Guided by printmaker Megan Hunter and medical herbalist Julia Behrens, participants explore the Umbrian countryside through plant identification and foraging walks, discovering the medicinal, ecological, and cultural uses of local flora. Flowers, leaves, grasses and seed heads gathered during these excursions become the foundation of both the printmaking and herbal components of the retreat.
Back in the studio, selected plants are carefully flattened and prepared for printing, while others are used with Julia to create simple herbal preparations and tea infusions.
Botanical monoprinting is an intuitive printmaking process that uses layered colour, texture, and natural plant forms to create unique one-off prints. Colour is applied and developed through successive layers using rollers, inks, pressed botanicals and other textural elements, creating richly detailed and atmospheric images.
Through demonstrations and guided experimentation, participants learn how to build harmonious colour palettes, develop composition, create translucent layers and understand how colour interactions shift throughout the printing process.
Participants are also introduced to a range of fine art papers, exploring how different surfaces, weights and textures influence the final printed image
Throughout the week, gathered flora from the Umbrian landscape become the basis for a growing collection of prints, studies and visual notes — part artwork, part botanical field journal.
Participants leave with a personal archive of original prints that may be framed individually or later developed into an artist's book or botanical collection.
Beyond the studio and plant walks, the week also includes time to experience the culture and traditions of Umbria, with excursions to local villages and markets, along with private wine and olive oil tastings. These experiences offer an introduction to the region’s wines and olive oil — their production, history and traditions, and how to recognise, choose and enjoy them.
Places are limited to 10 participants to ensure personalised guidance and individual support throughout the retreat.
From Plant to Print: Creating a Botanical Monoprint
Discovering the Wild Plants of Umbria with Julia
Wild Botanicals: A Week of Art, Plants & Umbrian Life
“A fantastic creative retreat in a beautiful part of Umbria. Megan is an excellent teacher — encouraging, knowledgeable, and generous with her time and expertise. I left with new skills, beautiful prints, and lots of inspiration.”
Inés de Baggis — San Biagio della Valle, Italy
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What You'll take Home
Beyond the prints you create, you’ll leave with new skills, knowledge and experiences to continue exploring long after the retreat.
ART & PRINTMAKING
• Botanical monoprinting techniques and practical troubleshooting skills
• Greater confidence with colour, composition and layering
• Experience working with a limited palette and a variety of papers
• Broader artistic skills you can apply beyond botanical printmaking
PLANTS & HERBAL TRADITIONS
• A deeper knowledge of local plants and their medicinal, traditional and cultural uses
• Experience identifying and working with selected plants alongside a medical herbalist
• Practical experience preparing a simple herbal tea/infusion and plant-based preparations/remedies
A TASTE OF UMBRIA
• An introduction to the wines of the region — its grapes, growing conditions, history and traditions
• A deeper understanding of olive oil — how it is produced, what defines quality, and how to choose, use and store it
retreat Itinerary
The itinerary below offers a guide to the rhythm of the retreat. All workshops, excursions, meals, and activities listed are included; however, timings and order may shift depending on weather, seasonal opportunities, and local arrangements. *Note 2027 Wild Botanicals is a 6 night retreat.
Day 1 — Welcome to the Villa
Arrive, settle into your room, and meet your hosts and fellow participants. Gather in the studio for an overview of the week ahead, followed by an aperitivo and welcome dinner at the villa.
Day 2 — Botanical Gathering, Olive oil & Studio Practice
A morning with Julia exploring the gardens and surrounding landscape, gathering botanical materials for printing and enjoying a cappuccino in a nearby village. After lunch, we begin in the studio with a demonstration and introduction to botanical monoprinting, including paper selection, composition, and working with colour relationships, followed by studio practice. In the early evening, enjoy a private olive oil tasting before dinner at the villa
Day 3 — Nature, Making & Wine
A relaxed morning with Julia exploring local plants and seasonal herbal practices. After lunch, continue printing in the studio with individual guidance. In the evening, enjoy a private wine tasting at a local vineyard.
Day 4 — Explore Umbria
A day spent exploring local villages, markets, and the wider Umbrian landscape, followed by sunset aperitivo and dinner by Lake Trasimeno.
Day 5 — Final Printing & Celebration
A final studio day to complete work and prepare pieces for sharing. During aperitivo hour, we gather for an informal viewing of the week’s work, followed by a celebratory farewell dinner.
Day 6 — Departure
Breakfast, farewells, and transfer to Chiusi station.
note on the week
What's included
not included
Accommodation & pricing
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5 nights accommodation in the villa
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Daily botanical monoprinting workshops and studio sessions
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All printmaking and art materials and equipment
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Guided botanical walks, plant lore and traditional herbal-making sessions
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Excursions to local towns and villages
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Private wine tasting and olive oil tasting
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All meals at the villa prepared by on-site chefs (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
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Wine with on-site meals
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Welcome aperitivo and selected aperitivo gatherings
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Transfers during scheduled excursion days
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Transfer to/from Chiusi–Chianciano Terme station
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Taxes and service charges
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Airfare (nearest airports: Rome, Florence, Perugia)
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Travel and medical insurance (Highly recommended)
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Personal expenses
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Additional beverages outside meals
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Some meals and refreshments on the excursion day
HUGE PRIVATE VIP BEDROOM
Double Ensuite Bedroom with Private Salon
(One room includes a large private terrace)
€3,100 single occupancy
Deposit: €500
Early Bird: €2,840
SHARED VIP bedROOM
Double Ensuite Bedroom with Private Salon — shared by couples or friends sharing a double bed.
€2,600 per person
Deposit: €500
Early Bird: €2,390
SHARED TWIN | TRIPLE ENSUITES
Twin / Shared Ensuite Bedrooms
Beautiful ensuite rooms shared by 2–3 participants.
€2,700 per person
Deposit: €500
Early Bird: €2,480
Non-Participating Partner
Includes accommodation, meals, excursions, tastings, and all retreat activities except the monoprinting.
€1,200 per person
Deposit: €500
Early Bird: € 1,130
All retreat prices include accommodation, workshops, excursions and activities, with prices varying only according to room configuration.
For photographs and full descriptions of the accommodation, please refer to the Accommodation section on the homepage.
Early Bird — book by 30 April 2027 and receive 10% off the remaining balance after your €500 deposit.
booking
To reserve your place, a €500 deposit is required. If you are considering joining Wild Botanicals, I’d be delighted to speak with you first to discuss room options, see if the retreat is for you and answer any questions you may have.
When you are ready, you can book your place below. Remaining payment details and timelines will be arranged individually after we have spoken. For further information, please visit the booking page.
Places are limited and confirmed on a first-come basis once the deposit has been received.
questions
If you have any questions, the easiest way to reach me is via the contact form at the bottom of this page. Whether you are ready to book or simply thinking things through, I’m happy to hear from you and will reply as soon as I can.
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Upcoming retreats: Etching and Drypoint Retreat May 5 -11 2027
Wild Botanicals: Botanical Mono Printing & Plant Lore Retreat September 7-13 2027