17 – 24 March, 2012

2 courses for the price of one

Leonie has been leading painting and sketching tours to Fiji since 2007. She delights in the rich variety of flora which offer her students a marvellous choice of subjects – 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; hibiscus; the beautiful orchids, and robust coconuts in all stages of development.

Whilst the mornings are dedicated to Botanical Art, afternoons are the time for sketching, when Leonie will take you off around the island to capture the landscapes and details of your holiday.
You are welcome to bring along non-painting partners or friends, who will find plenty to do and are welcomed on all the group outings.

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.

Read an account of Leonie’s August 2010 retreat at the Daku Resort blog.

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 published a fascinating study of botanical artists, Women of Flowers.

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

The programme may change depending on the weather and the interests of the group.

Saturday 17 March
Fly to Nadi: overnight in Nadi.

Sunday 18 March
Fly to Savusavu.
Welcome ceremony.
12.00pm: Poolside lunch
2.00pm: Botanical Art Workshop
7.00pm: Dinner

Monday 19 March
9.00am: 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 20 March
9.00am: Botanical Art Workshop
12.00pm: Lunch
1.00pm: Visit local beach for snorkeling, diving, swimming, relaxing and sketching
4.30 pm Tapa making demonstration (traditional decorated bark cloth)
7.00pm: Dinner

Wednesday 21 March
9.00am: Botanical Art Workshop
12.00pm: Lunch
1.00pm: Holiday Sketching Demonstration
Free Time
3.30 – 5.30pm: Boat/beach outing with sketching
7.00pm: Dinner

Thursday 22 March
9.00am: Botanical Art Workshop
12.00pm: Lunch
Afternoon: Relaxing. Optional outings to beach or locations along the coast with sketching
7.00pm: Dinner

Friday 23 March
9.00am: Botanical Art Workshop
12.00pm: Lunch
1.00pm: Holiday Sketching
4.00 – 6.00pm: Village visit
6.30pm: Final dinner

Saturday 24 March
Return to Nadi and on home.

Costs
AUD $2,180.00 twin share
Single supplement: $350
Non-painting partners: $1200

Program Includes
Return domestic flight from Nadi to Savusavu.
Return airport transfers from Savusavu to Daku Resort.
7 nights accommodation at Daku Resort in traditional bures with private facilities.
Breakfasts, lunches and dinners are provided.
Course fees.
Lectures, excursions as indicated.

Program Excludes
International flights to Fiji.  We are happy to quote on these and book them for you if requested. Flight prices fluctuate according to demand.   Comprehensive Travel Insurance.
Optional activities not listed on the program
Costs of a personal nature eg laundry, massages, private trips
Meals taken in transit at the airport

You can see some pictures from last year’s Botanical Art Workshop on our Flickr page.

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