About the Retreat
Poconos Watercolor Landscape Retreat
October 1st, 2nd, 3rd 2026
Mountaintop Lodge at Lake Naomi
2137 PA-940, Pocono Pines, PA 18350
Join us in the beautiful Pocono Mountains at Mountaintop Lodge for this 2 day watercolor retreat. Learn from 2 different watercolor instructors- Judy Steinhilper and J. Harlan Ritchey (www.jharlanart.com) - each with their own unique style. Perfect for beginning to experienced painters. Enjoy expert led instruction in a relaxed and charming atmosphere.
Itinerary
Welcome Day Thursday Oct 1st
4-6pm Wine and Hearty Appetizer Reception at Mountaintop Lodge
Thursday 6pm Dinner at local Lake Naomi Clubhouse or Jubilee Restaurant (not included)
Day 1 Friday October 2nd
8-10am For those staying at the Lodge a made to order gourmet breakfast is included with your room. For those not staying at the Lodge breakfast is availbable for purchase in the Lodge dining room or the Lodge cafe.
10:00am-1pm
How to plan & execute a painting- The Roadmap
#1 using values to compose a painting
Choosing compositions/Center of Interest
Practice- making value sketches/value paintings of our subject
#2 Create Your Colorway
Choosing colors for unity/harmony/contrast & mood
Practice- mixing paint to match values- paint to water ratio/making triads and matching colors to our Value Compositon
Practice- make a small color sketch of our subject
1-2pm Catered Lunch
2-5pm
#3 staging & timing: how and when to apply the paint
Practice- Soft and Hard Edges- Wet into Wet and Dry Brush Techniques
The big wash- skies
Practice- Make a Big Sky Painting
6pm Dinner (not included) at local spot Jubilee Restaurant or Lake Naomi Clubhouse
Day 2 Saturday Oct 3rd
8-10am Breakfast same as Friday
10:00am-1pm
Instructor Demo-watch me plan and execute a painting based on the Roadmap
#4 Putting it all together- Making our Painting
#5 Positive Critique-How did we do? What worked & what to work on
1-2pm Catered Lunch
2-5pm
#6 Time for a second painting or to repaint our first one-
Individual Painting with Instructors’ help
How to Register:
Pay by choosing either Retreat Only or
the Retreat & Lodging Package from below
Retreat Only (no Lodging): $499
Includes:
-
Wine and Hearty Appetizers Reception Thursday Oct 1st from 4-6pm
-
2 days watercolor instruction on Friday Oct 2nd and Saturday Oct 3rd at Mountaintop Lodge
-
Catered Lunch on Fri and Sat at Mountaintop Lodge
-
Water, tea, coffee, light snacks
Not Included:
Lodging
Dinners, Watercolor Supplies, Transportation
Retreat & Lodging Package
3 Night Stay-
Thurs Oct 1st, Fri Oct 2nd, Sat Oct 3rd
Includes:
-
Wine and Hearty Appetizers Reception Thursday Oct 1st from 4-6pm
-
2 days watercolor instruction on Friday Oct 2nd and Saturday Oct 3rd at Mountaintop Lodge
-
Full Made to Order Breakfasts Fri, Sat, Sun
-
Catered Lunch on Fri and Sat at Mountaintop Lodge
-
Coffe, teas, water, light snacks throughout your stay
-
Use of Lake Naomi Clubhouse, Indoor swimming pool, gym, Full Lake Naomi access including beach
Not Included:
Dinners, Watercolor Supplies, Transportation
Queen Room In main historic Lodge (stairs to get to room) private bath & full breakfast- $1093 Total includes tax
King Suite In main historic Lodge (stairs to get to room) private bath & full breakfast- $1387 Total includes tax
Cabin Suite Ground floor entry separate from Lodge- whirlpool bath and fireplace, full breakfast $1439 Total includes tax