28 August – 4 September, 2010

2 courses for the price of 1

Botanical Art
Fiji’s rich tropical flora offers sensational subjects for the botanical artist – multicoured ginger, delicate orchids, vibrant heliconia, sturdy coconuts and other exotic plants. These specimens can be gathered from the gardens of Daku Resort where we are staying, and also sourced from the surrounding countryside. Leonie combines individual tuition with group demonstrations, focusing on each participant’s particular abilities and style within the context of the demands of botanical art. Explore various techniques in both drawing and painting and learn to mix and match any botanical colour. All skill levels are welcome.

Holiday Sketching
In the afternoons, following a demonstration of colour and techniques, there will be  expeditions to local locations to sketch. Holiday sketching is quick and spontaneous, and captures the impression of people and place.  Learn to create a visual souvenir of your holiday in Fiji. Diarise your experiences and enhance them with colourful sketches. Explore and experiment with various materials and techniques using coloured pencils, waterproof pens and watercolour. There are daily demonstrations, individual tuition on location and daily reviews of completed sketches. No previous experience is necessary.

You will receive a list of materials for both courses.

Leonie’s first visit to Fiji took place in May 2007 and was a tremendous success. The flora was varied and stimulating, offering a marvellous choice. There were at least 6 varieties of heliconia ranging from tiny, delicate flowers in shades of oranges and reds, soft pinks and lemons, to the larger hanging bright red and yellow species with long glossy leaves. Other subjects included hibiscus (there are many), orchids and even a coconut in all its stages of development. Since then she has established a regular schedule of visits to Fiji. Some of the artists have brought along their husbands or friends, who find plenty to do and are welcomed on all the group outings.

Leonie Norton is a versatile artist who has made her name in Botanical Art, and also runs workshops on Holiday Sketching as well as taking holiday sketching tours to various destinations. She is an international tutor of Botanical Art and Sydney’s most prominent botanical art educator. She is highly qualified, holding a BA(VisArt), B.Fine Arts (Hons) Plant & Wildlife Illustration and a Grad Dip VET (Adult Ed).  Her paintings can be found in private and public collections in Australia and overseas. She also illustrates for magazines, undertakes commission paintings, has a new book published called ‘Women of Flowers’, and has many articles about her work published in art magazines.

Leonie holds regular courses in community colleges and art centres and conducts specialised workshops throughout Australia and New Zealand. She instructs at Summer Schools in the UK, Canada, NZ and regional NSW, in addition to conducting an External Botanical Art Course where she educates students globally. She welcomes all levels of skills. She is past President of the Botanical Art Society of Australia. As one of Australia’s better-known botanical artists, she successfully exhibits annually with the Botanical Art Society of Australia and the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens.

Programme

Saturday 28 August
Fly to Nadi and on to Savusavu.

Sunday 29 August
8.00am: Botanical Art Workshop
12.00pm: Poolside lunch
1.00pm: Holiday Sketching
3.00pm: Coconut cutting demonstration
7.00pm: Dinner

Monday 30 August
8.00am: Botanical Art Workshop
12.00pm: Lunch
1.00am: Holiday Sketching Demonstration.
Afternoon: Visit to Savusavu, visiting the geothermal hot springs, the local market and the shops. Sketching in town.
7.00pm: Dinner

Tuesday 31 August
8.00am: Botanical Art Workshop
12.00pm: Lunch
1.00pm: Visit local beach for snorkeling, diving, swimming, relaxing and sketching
7.00pm: Dinner

Wednesday 1 September
9.00pm: Botanical Art Workshop
12.00pm: Lunch
1.00pm: Holiday Sketching Demonstration
Free Time
3.30 – 5.30pm: Boat/beach outing with sketching
6.00pm: Drinks at yacht Club in Savusavu and dinner in town

Thursday 2 September
8.00am: Botanical Art Workshop
12.00pm: Lunch
Afternoon: Relaxing. Optional outings to beach or locations along the coast with sketching
7.00pm: Dinner

Friday 3 September
8.00am: Botanical Art Workshop
12.00pm: Lunch
1.00pm: Holiday Sketching
3.00 – 5.30pm: Traditional Fijian meke (dance)
6.30pm: Final dinner

Saturday 4 September
Return to Nadi and on home.