Spend a week with Işık Güner, a leading botanical artist, in the picturesque village of Pontresina for an immersive experience in botanical illustration, with a special focus on the golden larches of the Engadine in autumn.
Dates: 12–18 October 2025
Price: CHF 3,100
Level: All level
Participants: Limited to 10
Language: English
To apply: info@sukharetreats.com
What will the week look like?
This week invites you to explore the art of botanical illustration through the theme of autumn, with a special focus on the majestic larches of the Engadine. Nestled in the heart of the valley, the picturesque village of Pontresina offers the perfect setting in which to capture the beauty of alpine landscapes and local plants.
Over the course of the week, we will closely study the larches and their golden needles, exploring the extraordinary diversity of the Engadine flora in autumn — a time when the forests glow with vibrant colour and the mountains are draped in mist. You will be guided through every essential step of traditional botanical illustration, from measuring the plant to applying watercolour techniques.
Each morning, Işık will demonstrate different techniques and approaches for achieving life-like paintings. You may choose your own specimen to practise with and complete under Işık's guidance. The classes will help you to combine scientific accuracy with an aesthetic vision to create beautiful botanical paintings.
During the week, we will also enjoy a guided walk through the forest to learn about the phenomenon of the golden larches and the vital role of forests in high-altitude villages such as Pontresina, exploring the tree species and general flora that thrive in this unique environment.
One afternoon, we will visit a very special and somewhat hidden location on the shore of Lake St. Moritz: the former home — now museum — of Swiss artist Mili Weber (1891–1978), who devoted her life to depicting nature, primarily in watercolour. We will have the chance to view some of her original works in a private guided tour.
The Mili Weber Museum
The Mili Weber Museum is of national importance and is protected as a historical monument. Mili Weber (1891–1978) was a Swiss artist and illustrator of fairy tales, celebrated for her flower children and her deeply personal interpretation of nature, which was her central and lifelong theme. She worked primarily in watercolour.
In Mili Weber's works, flowers are given a life of their own: they take the form of children growing out of buds, with blossom wings that carry them up into the sky, the flower stem arching over their heads like a protective umbrella. In her world, everything is alive — blossom petals falling into water become swans, fuchsias serve as a team of horses drawing a carriage, and rays of light appear as harp strings. Mili Weber transformed her home into a magical work of art, its walls and ceilings becoming her canvas.
Where you will spend the week
Pontresina is situated in a sheltered valley at 1,805 metres above sea level, just ten minutes from the well-known resort of St. Moritz. The village sits close to the Bernina Massif, home to two of the Engadine's most celebrated peaks: Piz Palü and Piz Bernina. At 4,049 metres, Piz Bernina is the highest peak in the Eastern Alps. Here, nature is the undisputed lead — she has all the space she needs to flourish, and grants her visitors endless ways to enjoy her beauty.
We will be staying in a beautiful hotel in the heart of Pontresina, housed in a traditional Art Nouveau building founded in 1881. The hotel offers a perfect blend of comfort, tradition and modern amenities, including a fitness and wellness area. Each participant will have their own room with an en suite bathroom and mountain views.
We will enjoy delicious local and home-made food throughout the week.
Travelling to Pontresina
By train: The closest international airport is Zurich. From there, the easiest way to reach Pontresina is by train — the station is located directly within the airport. The journey takes approximately 3 hours 40 minutes depending on connections. The Rhaetian Railway (RhB) from Chur is one of the most scenic train routes in Europe, winding through tunnels and over dizzying viaducts. In 2008, the Rhaetian Railway's Albula and Bernina lines were designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. Take the train — it is very much worth the ride.
Online timetable: www.sbb.ch
By car: The Engadine is easily reachable by car from anywhere in Switzerland or from Italy, Germany and Austria:
Zurich – Pontresina: 200 km, approx. 3 hours Milan – Pontresina: 175 km, approx. 3 hours Munich – Pontresina: 300 km, approx. 4 hours Basel – Pontresina: 250 km, approx. 4 hours
Please note: in the event of snowfall, crossing mountain passes is only permitted with snow chains or a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Check current road conditions before travelling: www.sukharetreats.com/services-7
What is included
6 nights' accommodation in a standard double room for single occupancy (if you would like to come with a partner, this is possible — please get in touch for pricing)
3 meals per day
1 special lunch at a special location
Access to the hotel wellness area
Guided forest walk to learn about local tree species and their role in a high-altitude village
Private guided visit to the Mili Weber Museum in St. Moritz
Daily art classes with Işık Güner
What is not included
International flights
Airport transfers
Hotel parking (CHF 20 per day) if travelling by car
Travel and medical insurance
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses
Art materials (see list below)
Recommended Materials
Drawing pencils (2H, HB, 2B, 4B)
Propelling pencil (with 0.35 point 2H, HB lead)
Divider
Eraser and Putty rubber
Sharpener
Ruler (if possible)
Tracing paper
Sketching paper (smooth cartridge paper or pad, 120–160 gsm, A4 or A3)
Watercolour sable brushes (sizes 4, 3 and 2; a selection of finer brushes for detail work, Winsor & Newton Series 7 recommended, though any preferred brand is suitable)
Palette
Watercolour pigments (Winsor & Newton Artist's Value recommended, though any preferred brand is suitable. Suggested colours: Indigo, Payne’s Gray, French Ultramarine, Winsor Blue (green shade), Perylene Maroon, Winsor Red, Winsor purple, Permanent Rose, Cadmium Lemon, Green Gold, Sepia)
Watercolour papers (minimum 300 gsm, hot pressed, 100% cotton recommended, A3 or A4, *Cold press papers are not suitable for this course)
Drawing board (if possible)
