A Review: The 2025 Capitola Watercolor Journaling Experience

So, I’ve always wanted to find a way to, you know, capture my travels that felt a little more personal than just taking pictures. This year, I finally took the plunge and signed up for the 2025 ‘Capitola Watercolor Journaling Experience’, and honestly, I wanted to share what it was really like. You know, arriving in Capitola is basically like stepping into another world, sort of. It’s a small, very pretty beach town, and the whole atmosphere, at the end of the day, just makes you want to slow down and create something. The salty air and the sound of the waves, well, they really set the perfect scene for a week of painting, you know. It’s actually quite something, that first feeling of seeing the place you are about to spend a week trying to capture in a little book. It is a bit exciting, you know.

Anyway, from the moment I got there, I could just tell this was going to be a pretty special kind of trip. It wasn’t about being a professional artist or anything, as a matter of fact. It was more or less about the act of seeing, really seeing, a place and then, you know, putting your own interpretation of it down on paper. This review, it’s basically my attempt to give you a real feel for the experience, beyond the official description. I mean, what do the days feel like? What do you actually learn? Is it really for beginners? So, okay, let’s get into it, right?

A Warm Welcome and Finding Your Artistic Groove

So, our first gathering happened in this, like, really lovely, light-filled studio just a few steps from the beach. There were about ten of us, you know, a mix of different ages and, seemingly, different backgrounds. The instructors, Maria and Ben, were honestly just so friendly and instantly made everyone feel completely at ease. You could tell, basically, that they just really loved what they do. We started with some simple introductions, and at the end of the day, it was just a really low-pressure, friendly vibe. They handed out our art kits, and frankly, it was like opening a present. We each got a beautiful watercolor journal, a set of quality paints, a few different brushes, and some other useful supplies, and stuff. It felt, you know, very official and quite exciting.

The first afternoon, well, it was all about just getting comfortable with our tools. We didn’t even try to paint a scene, not at first anyway. Instead, we just played with the colors on a separate sheet of paper. Maria guided us through some, like, very simple exercises—how the water moves the pigment, how to make a gradient wash, you know, that kind of thing. Honestly, it was the perfect way to start because it took away any fear of the blank page. It wasn’t about performance; it was literally about discovery. We were all, sort of, laughing at our messy attempts and sharing our little color swatch discoveries. At the end of the day, it completely set the tone for the week: be curious, be playful, and don’t worry about the outcome so much.

Painting Capitola’s Sights: From the Wharf to the Venetian Court

Alright, so on day two we headed out for our first proper ‘plein air’ session at the Capitola Wharf. Finding a good spot to sit was, actually, part of the fun. I found a bench with, you know, a really great view of the colorful shops and the little boats bobbing in the water. The whole experience was, honestly, incredibly immersive. You’re not just looking at a photo; you are actually in the scene. You can, you know, feel the breeze, hear the distant chatter and the calls of the gulls, and smell the salt from the bay. The challenge, really, was figuring out what to focus on because there was just so much to see. Ben suggested we first do a very quick pencil sketch, just to sort of map out the main shapes. It was a really helpful tip, to be honest.

Later in the week, we, you know, set up our little portable easels in front of the famous Venetian Court. Those brightly colored, kind of whimsical houses are literally the postcard image of Capitola, and they are even more charming in person. This spot was, I mean, a bit more technically demanding. Getting the angles of the buildings and the mix of shadows and bright colors just right was pretty tricky, you know. Maria showed us a really neat trick using ink pens to define the shapes first, and then adding loose watercolor washes over the top. So, this technique was sort of a revelation for me. It let me capture the detail without getting too tight or fussy with the brush, right? Some of my favorite pages in my journal, basically, came from that very session.

Beyond the Brushstrokes: New Techniques and Personal Thoughts

This experience, you know, was so much more than just a painting class. Each day, the instructors would, sort of, introduce a new concept or technique. For instance, one morning was all about mixing colors. We learned how to create a whole range of beautiful, natural-looking greens for the coastal foliage, just by using our basic palette. Another time, we focused on adding text to our journal pages, so it became a true journal, not just a sketchbook. Ben talked about using words to capture a feeling, a sound, or even a quote we overheard. It was a really wonderful way to, you know, combine visual art with storytelling, essentially making each page a complete little memory capsule.

Personally, I mean, the biggest takeaway was a new way of observing the world. You know, you start to notice things you’d typically just walk past. For example, the different shades of blue in the sky, the texture of an old wooden post, or the way light reflects on wet sand. You find yourself, like, mentally composing paintings everywhere you look. It’s a very mindful and, honestly, quite a calming practice. At the end of the day, my journal is now filled with more than just pictures; it has scribbled notes, paint splatters, and even a pressed flower I found. It’s a completely personal and, I think, a really authentic record of my time there.

“I was so nervous when I started, you know, thinking I couldn’t even draw a straight line. But honestly, by the second day, I was just having so much fun. The instructors create such a safe, non-judgmental space. It’s really less about the final product and more about, you know, the lovely process of just doing it.” – A fellow participant

The Daily Rhythm: What a Typical Day Looks Like

So, you might be wondering what the day-to-day schedule is actually like. Well, it was a really great mix of structured learning and, you know, personal free time. We had a rhythm that felt very relaxed but also, you know, productive. Most days started around 9:30 AM after we had all gotten our coffee, of course. We’d meet at the studio for a quick chat about the day’s plan, maybe a short demonstration of a new technique. Then, we would all walk together to our chosen painting spot for the morning. Honestly, those little walks through the village were a really nice part of the day.

After a couple of hours of painting, we’d, like, break for lunch around noon. Sometimes we’d bring our own, other times a small group of us would go and try one of the local cafes by the water, which was, you know, really nice. The afternoons were pretty flexible, to be honest. We’d have another painting session, often at a different location, or some people would choose to go back to the studio to refine their morning’s work. By about 4 PM, the formal part of the day was over. This left the evenings completely free to explore the town, have dinner, or just, you know, relax. Basically, here’s a rough idea of the flow:

• 9:30 AM: So, we’d meet at the studio for coffee and a morning briefing.
• 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Well, this was the guided ‘plein air’ painting session at a location like the beach or wharf.
• 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM: A, you know, nice long lunch break.
• 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Alright, then it was the afternoon session, often focused on a specific skill or a different spot.
• After 4:00 PM: So, this time was totally yours, for personal exploration or just resting.

Is This Watercolor Experience Right for You?

Okay, so let’s talk about who this experience is really for. If you are a complete and total beginner, you know, someone who has never even held a paintbrush before, honestly, this is absolutely perfect for you. The instruction really starts from the very beginning, and there is absolutely no pressure to be “good” at it. The focus, as I was saying, is really on learning and enjoying the process. Seriously, more than half of our group identified as beginners, and everyone created work they were genuinely proud of by the end of the week.

Now, what if you are, like, a more experienced painter? You would still get a lot out of this, I think. The joy of painting in such a beautiful location with a group of like-minded people is, you know, really special. Plus, you can use the time to experiment with your style, and the instructors are more than capable of providing more advanced feedback if that’s what you are looking for. Basically, it’s a great fit if you’re looking for creative inspiration and a change of scenery. It probably isn’t for someone looking for a, you know, super-intense, master-level academic workshop. The vibe is way more relaxed and, well, vacation-like, right? The group size is kept small, so you genuinely get a lot of one-on-one attention when you want it, which, at the end of the day, makes a huge difference.

Key Highlights to Keep in Mind

At the end of the day, it was a genuinely refreshing and inspiring week. It’s a bit like a vacation, a creative workshop, and a mindfulness retreat all rolled into one really great package. Honestly, it kind of reset my perspective and gave me a new hobby that I can take with me anywhere. The things that really stuck with me were just a few simple points.

• The location is just stunning: So, Capitola itself is basically a ready-made sketchbook, you know, full of color and charm.
• Fantastic for beginners: It’s a very safe and supportive space to start your art, you know, journey. Seriously, no experience needed.
• Practical skills taught: Well, you actually leave with new, usable techniques for watercolor and journaling, and stuff.
• A relaxed pace: You get, like, a really nice balance of guided activity and free time to explore on your own.
• Focus on the process: At the end of the day, it’s about the joy of creating, not about making a perfect masterpiece.

Read our full review: Capitola Watercolor Journaling Experience Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Capitola Watercolor Journaling Experience Reservations)