Imagine this scenario: a feeling of despondency starting the week saying ‘I cant draw to save my life…’ or ‘I wasn’t born with this skill…’  to the sense of achievement, fulfilment and exhilaration by the end of the week when you discover that you actually can.

Drawing is fundamental to all painting skills like the skeletal frame is to the human body. Painting is drawing with a brush!  Designed for all aspiring artists at whatever skill level, this course is fun … learning to see things and portray them in your own way. Using simple but proven methods of capturing the image, seeing simple shapes, creating depth and appreciating light, you will gain confidence each day.

By the end of the week you will have produced a sketch book of drawings and paintings that you will be extremely proud of, that capture the essence of the world around us. You will have nurtured and developed a skill that will bring immense pleasure to your travels and gain an insight into the wonderful world of sketching and watercolour painting. You can draw!

Malcolm Carver is an architect and an artist, who has over the past 30 years travelled extensively in Europe, Australia, Asia and the Americas. He has devoted these experiences to creating extensive travel sketch books, providing valuable inspiration for workshops and studio work in watercolour.

Malcolm has an an enlightened and passionate approach to sketching drawing and watercolour painting. Over the past ten years, he has augmented his travel with a variety of both international and local workshops with all the leading watercolourists in the world today

He believes that we can all draw to a degree and we can learn to see, like other life skills. He seeks to reinforce the fundamental skill of seeing and sketching before painting by simplifying detail in drawing techniques and learning to see shapes.

You can see his work at www.aquarellegallery.com.au/malcolmcarver

Programme
The programme may change depending on weather and group interests. Malcolm is happy to sketch and paint all afternoon wherever we are – on the beach, under a palm tree, up the mountain.  You are welcome to sketch, paint , watch or just relax.

Sunday 6 June
Arrive Nadi and fly to Savusavu. The resort is 10 minutes from the airstrip, and you will be welcomed into it with a traditional Fijian welcoming ceremony.

Monday 7 June
Morning workshop:  introduction to the week. Poolside lunch and coconut cutting demonstration, followed by a walk around resort gardens. Afternoon visit to town, local market and shops.

Tuesday 8 June
Morning workshop; lunch. In the late afternoon there will be a tapa making demonstration

Wednesday 9 June
Morning workshop; lunch. Afternoon beach / boat outing.

Thursday 10 June
Morning workshop; lunch. Afternoon: free time. Drinks at the Yacht Club and dinner in town.

Friday 11 June
Morning workshop; lunch. Later in the afternoon we will visit Vivili village to see a traditional Fijian meke (dance) and then have a final dinner at Daku.

Saturday 12 June
Morning workshop; lunch.

Sunday 13 June
Leave Savusavu. Return to Nadi.

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.

$2280 twin share (not including international flights)

This is a fun and expressive painting retreat for those who love colour.  Suitable for beginners to intermediate, this art course will give students insight into process, techniques, materials and expression. Working from the every-day using still-life, photographs and the surrounding landscape, students are encouraged to explore a variety of styles and approaches that will aid in the development of their own art practice.  Larissa gives demonstrations and individuals can experiment with the many possibilities of working with vibrant acrylics.  Students can expect to take home a small body of work from 4-6 pieces.

Larissa Blake was born and raised in Orange.  Through her creative family Larissa was exposed to art and all its possibilities from an early age.  She went on to study communications and alternative therapies but it wasn’t long before her creative disposition surfaced and she pursued art as a serious lifestyle.

Larissa’s vibrant works are inspired by her extensive travels both at home and abroad, but it is in her every-day world and all its spontaneity that she draws most of her inspiration.

Combining her love of art with her other of alternative therapies, Larissa is an intuitive and insightful teacher who brings a new and creative energy to her students. Through years of painting and being an avid supporter of other artists Larissa has a unique eye for the technical as well as being an extremely gifted colourist.

Apart from the occasional trip back to her roots in Orange where she has recently set up a studio, Larissa bases herself in Sydney where she continues to paint and is a sought after lecturer. She exhibits regularly and her works are found in private collections throughout the world.

Programme

Sunday 17 October
Arrive Nadi and fly to Savusavu. The resort is 10 minutes from the airstrip, and you will be welcomed into it with a traditional Fijian welcoming ceremony.

Monday 18 October
Morning workshop:  introduction to the week. Poolside lunch and coconut cutting demonstration, followed by a walk around resort gardens. In the late afternoon there will be a tapa making demonstration

Tuesday 19 October
Morning workshop; lunch. Afternoon visit to town, visiting the geothermal hot springs, local market and shops.

Wednesday 20 October
Morning workshop; lunch. Afternoon beach / boat outing.

Thursday 21 October
Morning workshop; lunch. Free afternoon for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing.

Friday 22 October
Morning workshop; lunch. Later on we will have a beach outing and a sunset drink at Yaukolo, returning to Savusavu for drinks at the Yacht Club and dinner in town.

Saturday 23 October
Morning workshop; lunch. Later in the afternoon we will visit Vivili village to see a traditional Fijian meke (dance) and then have a final dinner at Daku.

Sunday 24 October
Leave Savusavu. Return to Nadi.

$2280 twin share (not including international flights)

Kerrie Lester’s exuberant paintings are widely admired. During a career spanning 35 years, she has been hung in the Archibald 16 times and is represented in many art collections across Australia.

Her art holiday course offers a chance to work with one of Australia’s best known contemporary artists and enjoy her enthusiastic embrace of the joy of painting. During the week-long art retreat, Kerrie will be looking at figures in the landscape, showing you how to capture the essence of a figure, and how to place it in a setting. She will be working in situ at Daku Resort using local models, and will also be going out to use the local settings. She emphasizes the importance of being expressive – painting doesn’t run to a formula, and she encourages you to experiment with ideas and styles, finding the mood of the place rather than the exact details.

Her first course at Daku Resort in September 2009 was a great success; her students all came away with a new perspective on painting – and a lot of completed work to take home too.

When I stayed at Daku resort I was able to relax and paint in a serene and stunning landscape guided by a professional artist who shared her knowledge with humour and patience. The friendliness of the management and the local people at the resort and in the town of Savu Savu enabled me to paint amongst them without intimidation or criticism  adding a wonderful new experience to my work which I will always remember with gratitude and a smile.
Robyn Dowell

Daku Resort was such a fabulous venue to paint and learn in a truly relaxing, and peaceful environment.  We were spoilt with a choice of beautiful locations within and outside of the resort.  Kerrie, our Art Teacher, was great, really helping me to find my own style and many new artistic skills.  I’ll definitely be back next year.
Karen McAllister

Loved the art course.  The fact that the setting was an authentic Fijian resort all added to the fun.  Delia went out of her way to arrange interesting and engaging things to do in our down time and there was never any time for boredom.  Will definitely look at doing more at Daku.
Carol Brenner

We will be working in acrylics on canvas, canvas board or paper. A full materials list will be supplied.

Kerrie Lester was born in 1953 in Sydney and has lived and worked from her Mosman studio since 1989. She is renowned for her distinctive stitched canvas paintings, and instantly recognised by her witty, colourful style. Her whimsical figures with sharp outlines range from virtual stick men to fully rounded portraits, all of them about to burst out of the canvas and join in with everyday life.

Kerrie has held over 21 solo exhibitions, her first held immediately after graduating from art school. She has been represented in many important group exhibitions including the Biennale of Sydney in 1979 and Australian Perspecta in 1981 and 1985. In addition, Kerrie has been an influential educator, lecturing at the City Art Institute Sydney, the National Art School Sydney and Seaforth Technical College.

Programme
The course runs for 6 days, and includes both workshops and local excursions.

Saturday 30 October
Arrive Nadi and fly to Savusavu. The resort is 10 minutes from the airstrip, and you will be welcomed into it with a traditional Fijian welcoming ceremony.

Sunday 31 October
Morning workshop: introduction to the week.
Poolside lunch and coconut cutting demonstration.

Monday 1 November
Morning workshop; lunch; afternoon workshop.
In the late afternoon there will be a tapa making demonstration

Tuesday 2 November
Morning workshop; lunch.
There will be free time in the afternoon – you can take an optional visit to the local black pearl farm (not included in course cost) or to town, visiting the geothermal hot springs, local market and shops.

Wendesday 3 November
Morning workshop; lunch.
Afternoon boat / beach outing.

Thursday 4 November
Morning workshop; lunch.
Afternoon free time.
Evening drinks at the Yacht Club and dinner in town.

Friday 5 November
Morning workshop; lunch; afternoon workshop.
Later in the afternoon we will visit Vivili village to see a traditional Fijian meke (dance) and then have a final dinner at Daku.

Saturday 6 November
Leave Savusavu. Return to Nadi.

$2280 twin share (not including international flights)

Working from a range of different models in gorgeous tropical surroundings, this lively art retreat explores a wide range of drawing ideas and approaches. These include the use of colour, tone, figure composition and special drawing exercises. You will be introduced to different ways of working with drawing materials including pencil, coloured pastels, charcoal, ink etc. During the course students will produce a large number of drawings starting with quick exercises and progressing to more sustained drawing with portraits and figure compositions in colour.

This art and painting course is designed for all levels whether you have never done any drawing at all or are quite experienced. Wendy will help you work at the own level gaining confidence and understanding. A list of materials will be supplied.

Wendy’s Current Exhibitions
If you’re in Sydney, Wendy’s current show, Venice 2010, is at the King Street Gallery. Take a look online www.kingstreetgallery.com.au or download the catalogue.
She also features in Slow Burn: a century of Australian women artists, at the National Trust S.H. Ervin Gallery.  See more at their website.

Wendy Sharpe is an inspirational and enthusiastic teacher. Her ability to communicate her love of art and her belief in the importance of Art education always makes her much in demand as a teacher. This class a rare opportunity to work with her as she spends most of the time in her own studio. She has over 25 years teaching experience at all levels from Masters level to absolute beginners. She has taught at the National Art School in Sydney for 20years as a half time and now occasional visiting lecturer.

“Drawing and painting is a wonderful thing for everyone to do, it changes the way you see the world and is fascinating and compelling, especially in a place like Fiji.”

Wendy is one of Australia’s most awarded artists. Her prizes include the Sulman prize, the Portia Geach Memorial prize (twice), the Archibald Prize, the Kedumba drawing prize, the Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarship and the Mercedez Benz Scholarship – and numerous others. In 1998 Wendy Sharpe was commissioned by the city of Sydney to paint an Olympic pool-sized mural for Cook and Philip Park Aquatic Centre, College Street, Sydney. In 1999-2000 she was commissioned by the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, as an Australian Official Artist to East Timor, the first woman since WW2.

She has recently been awarded her 2nd Artist residency of the AGNSW studio at Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris and a residency at the Australian Embassy in Cairo Egypt as special guest of the Australian Ambassador. She has just completed a commission for the Art Centre Victoria, for an exhibition on the Australian Ballet. Wendy exhibits throughout Australia; in Sydney she can be seen at King St Gallery on William.

Programme

Saturday 20 November
Arrive Nadi and fly to Savusavu. The resort is 10 minutes from the airstrip, and you will be welcomed into it with a traditional Fijian welcoming ceremony.

Sunday 21 November
Morning workshop: introduction to the week. Poolside lunch and coconut cutting demonstration, followed by a walk around resort gardens. In the late afternoon there will be a tapa making demonstration.

Monday 22 November
Morning workshop; lunch. Afternoon visit to town, visiting the geothermal hot springs, local market and shops.

Tuesday 23 November
Morning workshop; lunch. Afternoon beach / boat outing.

Wednesday 24 November
Morning workshop; lunch. Free afternoon for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing.

Thursday 25 November
Morning workshop; lunch. Later on we will have a beach outing and a sunset drink at Yaukolo, returning to Savusavu for drinks at the Yacht Club and dinner in town.

Friday 26 November
Morning workshop; lunch. Later in the afternoon we will visit Vivili village to see a traditional Fijian meke (dance) and then have a final dinner at Daku.

Saturday 27 November
Leave Savusavu. Return to Nadi.

COST PER PERSON $1750 twin share or $1580 if registered by 1st September 2010.
(Flights to Fiji not included)

An unforgettable week of art, relaxation and adventure!

The course
This course will give you an entry to the wonderful world of mixed media, where you use traditional paints and crayons and mix them with all sorts of other media – beeswax, glaze, fabrics and even everyday objects like buttons or shells – to create arresting and entrancing art pieces. The fascination lies in combining all these media to come up with a fresh approach to your subject. You will find yourself opening up to ideas that the media themselves suggest to you in ways you would never have anticipated.

During the week you’ll complete a number of pages in your Art Journal and create at least 4 – 5 art pieces on various substrates, such as wood, watercolour or canvas.

You will be sent a generous kit of paints, stickers, fabric swatches, glitter and other material before your departure. You will also need to bring a few of your own supplies (this can be as much as you want – list of suggestions will be supplied) and Rebecca has some of her own you can use too. You will gain many techniques and ideas on how to create beautiful pages and art, how to recycle and create your own tools, such as stamps. You will learn how to make the most out of simple and inexpensive materials.

The teacher
Rebecca Vavic has always been a creative soul. Captivated by all facets of art and design, she has continually sought out opportunities to explore and grow in a broad spectrum of artistic endeavours, through reading, courses, and her own experimentation in various aspects of the artistic world. In 2007 Misty Mawn, a highly acclaimed American Mixed Media artist and teacher, introduced Rebecca to the amazing world of Mixed Media at an artist retreat held in Melbourne. Since then she has totally immersed herself in artistic studies and training, by attending retreats, courses both online and at the ANU School of Art. Rebecca has been teaching for over two years in the Mixed Media field.

In her early days she explored clay sculpture, decoupage and dressmaking. Then in 2001, after the birth of her daughter, she joined the scrapbooking world which at that time was new to Australia. It gave her a way to document her life creatively and lead to her embrace of photography. At the same time, her new career in Technical Writing saw her learning and using elements of Graphic design.

With the support of her partner, she began to view her creative endeavours in a new light and embrace the concept that she could take her “craft hobbies” and turn them into a career as an artist.

Joining design teams, having her work published, endlessly researching trends and techniques, conducting evening courses in her local community, combined with years of creative experience have led Rebecca to where she is today: a fulltime artist pursuing her dreams.

Programme

Sunday 16th January – The resort is 10 minutes from the airstrip, and you will be welcomed into it with a traditional Fijian welcoming ceremony. Once you have settled in and unpacked we’ll have a group dinner and get aquainted.

Monday 17th January – Morning class 9am -12noon, followed by lunch. At 4pm there will be a Tapa making demonstration. Dinner.

Tuesday 18th January – Morning class 9am -12noon, followed by lunch. At 2pm there is a visit to Savusavu. Dinner.

Wednesday 19th January – Morning class 9am -12noon, followed by lunch. At 2pm there is a boat and beach outing. Dinner.

Thursday 20th January – Morning class 9am -12noon, followed by lunch.
Today you have some free time in the afternoon before we go out for Drinks and Dinner at the Yacht Club.

Friday 21st January – Morning class 9am -12noon, followed by lunch. At 4pm there will be a Coconut demonstration. Dinner.

Saturday 22nd January – Morning class 9am -12noon, followed by lunch. At 4pm there will be a Village visit and meke followed by our farewell dinner at 7pm.

Sunday 23rd January – Return to Nadi (arrive approx 11.00am) and on to your international flight home.

Further reading:
Materials List of Mixed Media – download pdf file
Rebecca Vavic’s webpage – www.rebeccavavic.com
Daku Resort – www.dakuresort.com

Detailed Overview of the Course

Class One – Art Journaling
We’ll enjoy making 3 – 5 double pages to get our creativity started for the course. Using all sorts of supplies, such as bubble wrap and tissue paper, to create texture and interest to a page. We’ll talk about the theme of your journal and your art pieces. We’ll also have some homework and you’ll do some drawing. You will be given a document containing over 800 phrases for inspiration and use in your art.

Class Two – Background Techniques – Monoprinting and Collage
We’ll practice various methods to create richly textured tapestries, we’ll be using lots of wet media: inks, paints, watercolour crayons and pencils, glazing paints, plus dry mediums: pencils, pastels, crayons. By the end of class you will have created a large stash of gorgeous papers for you to use in your art.

Class Three – Adding your feature piece
If you haven’t already done so as “homework”, we’ll be using the techniques learned so far to prepare our substrates for our art pieces, you’ll create 3 – 5 pieces. Today you will also add your main focus drawing or feature piece to your art.

Class Four – Photo and Image transfers & Using Material
I’ll show you how to transfer photographs and images onto various items, wood, watercolour papers and fabric. We’ll also create some beautiful hand dyed and painted fabrics and we’ll talk about ways to add fabric, embellishments and stitching to your journals and art pieces.

Class Five – Stamping, Masking and Layering
We’ll keep adding more detail to our journals and art pieces, layers upon layers. Stamping is a wonderful technique and today we’ll even make some of our own stamps. I’ll also show you how to add depth with masks using modelling paste.

Class Six – Beeswax Finishing
I’ll teach you how to apply a beeswax finish to your piece. We will also use other methods of finishing our pieces, such as varnishes. We’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of resin techniques.

Imagine this scenario: a feeling of despondency starting the week saying ‘I cant draw to save my life…’ or ‘I wasn’t born with this skill…’ to the sense of achievement, fulfilment and exhilaration by the end of the week when you discover that you actually can.

Drawing is fundamental to all painting skills like the skeletal frame is to the human body. Painting is drawing with a brush! Designed for all aspiring artists at whatever skill level, this course is fun … learning to see things and portray them in your own way. Using simple but proven methods of capturing the image, seeing simple shapes, creating depth and appreciating light, you will gain confidence each day.

By the end of the week you will have produced a sketch book of drawings and paintings that you will be extremely proud of, that capture the essence of the world around us. You will have nurtured and developed a skill that will bring immense pleasure to your travels and gain an insight into the wonderful world of sketching and watercolour painting. You can draw!

Malcolm Carver is an architect and an artist, who has over the past 30 years travelled extensively in Europe, Australia, Asia and the Americas. He has devoted these experiences to creating extensive travel sketch books, providing valuable inspiration for workshops and studio work in watercolour.

Malcolm has an an enlightened and passionate approach to sketching drawing and watercolour painting. Over the past ten years, he has augmented his travel with a variety of both international and local workshops with all the leading watercolourists in the world today

He believes that we can all draw to a degree and we can learn to see, like other life skills. He seeks to reinforce the fundamental skill of seeing and sketching before painting by simplifying detail in drawing techniques and learning to see shapes.

You can see his work at www.aquarellegallery.com.au/malcolmcarver

Programme
The programme may change depending on weather and group interests. Malcolm is happy to sketch and paint all afternoon wherever we are – on the beach, under a palm tree, up the mountain. You are welcome to sketch, paint , watch or just relax.

Sunday 10 June
Arrive Nadi and fly to Savusavu. The resort is 10 minutes from the airstrip, and you will be welcomed into it with a traditional Fijian welcoming ceremony.

Monday 11 June
Morning workshop: introduction to the week. Poolside lunch and coconut cutting demonstration, followed by a walk around resort gardens. Afternoon visit to town, local market and shops.

Tuesday 12 June
Morning workshop; lunch. In the late afternoon there will be a tapa making demonstration

Wednesday 13 June
Morning workshop; lunch. Afternoon beach / boat outing.

Thursday 14 June
Morning workshop; lunch. Afternoon: free time. Drinks at the Yacht Club and dinner in town.

Friday 15 June
Morning workshop; lunch. Later in the afternoon we will visit Vivili village to see a traditional Fijian meke (dance) and then have a final dinner at Daku.

Saturday 16 June
Morning workshop; lunch.

Sunday 17 June
Leave Savusavu. Return to Nadi.

Costs

Course only : AUD $2,230.00
Including flights ex-Sydney : AUD $2,980.00

In this art holiday course you will learn how to paint the basic elements of any seascape and landscape in a realistic style. You will learn how to paint sky and clouds, beach scenes with sand, rocks and a foam wash, how to capture the movement of waves with ripple effects as well as mountains landscapes with coconut trees and other vegetation. We will be using acrylic paint in Fiji but the techniques learned can be successfully applied to oil paints when you return home. Each workshop is structured around a group demonstration of a particular subject followed by individual tuition. We will be covering aspects of art theory such as designing balanced compositions, blending techniques, aerial perspective and linear perspective, colour mixing, creating the illusion of texture, tone as well as the use of light and shadow. All skill levels are welcome from beginners through to experienced painters. We will be creating a new painting each day.

This is Elena’s second art workshop with Paradise Courses. In August 2010 she joined a group of artists from around the world who spent a wonderful week painting at locations around beautiful Savusavu Bay.

Read comments from some of the artists who attended Elena’s 2010 art retreat at Daku Resort. You can also find a lovely account of the 2010 retreat written by attendee Karen McAllister at the Daku Resort blog.

Elena Parashko is an artist, teacher and writer from Sydney, Australia. She exhibits her paintings in galleries in Sydney, London and Malaysia and has been a finalist in the ANL Maritime Art Prize in Melbourne from 2006 – 2009. Elena has received a number of corporate and government commissions with her artwork held in private and corporate collections throughout the world. In 2006 she was a finalist in Sydney Business Review’s “Business Woman of the Year”.

Elena’s artwork has been featured in Australian Artist magazine, Artist’s Palette, Australian Decorative Painting, Ocean, Fine Art and Decorative Painting, Honestly Woman, Modern Home and My Home magazines. Elena regularly contributes step by step painting demonstrations to the English magazine Leisure Painter. She is also the writer of a monthly series on learning to draw for Fine Art and Decorative Painting magazine in Australia. Elena is a contributing writer for the American magazine, Art Calendar, with a monthly motivational article for artists.

Elena is a trained teacher with a certificate in Visual Arts, Bachelor of Education and Masters in Adult Education who enjoys teaching art to children and adults. She has over 20 years teaching experience. She also acts as an art therapist to intellectually and physically disabled adults. She sees her challenge as to inspire others, no matter their circumstances, through sharing her passion for artistic creation – the process as well as the product.

Elena’s artwork can be viewed on her online gallery at: www.elenaparashko.com

Programme

The programme is structured around morning workshops, with afternoons for activities and free time to enjoy a spa massage, snorkelling on the reef, relaxing by the pool or carrying on painting.

Saturday 13 August
Travel to Nadi and on to Savusavu.
6.00pm: Welcome ceremony.
7.00pm: Dinner

Sunday 14 August
9.30 – 12.30am Workshop 1
- How to use a viewfinder to select a composition
- Painting sky and clouds
- Blending techniques
1.00pm: Lunch
2.00pm: Coconut demonstration
Afternoon: Free time.
7.00pm: Dinner

Monday 15 August
9.30 – 12.30 am Workshop 2
- Painting the view down a beach
- Perspective lines of waves
- Colour mixing
1.00pm: Lunch
Afternoon: trip to Savusavu Town to see local market and shops
4.00pm: Tapa making demonstration
7.00pm: Dinner

Tuesday 16 August
9.30 – 12.30 am Workshop 3
- Painting the view out to sea
- Ocean ripples and waves washing onto sand and rocks
- Creating the illusion of texture
1.00pm: Lunch
2.00pm: Beach / boat outing
7.00pm: Dinner

Wednesday 17 August
9.30 – 12.30 am Workshop 4
- Painting a landscape with mountains, vegetation and huts
- Tone
- Aerial perspective
1.00pm: Lunch
4.00pm: Walk up hill behind Daku (optional – pretty steep!)
7.00pm: Dinner

Thursday 18 August
9.30 – 12.30 am Workshop 5
- Painting coconut trees, tropical vegetation and/or flowers
- Light and shadow
1.00pm: Lunch
6.00pm: Drinks at savusavu Yacht Club and dinner in town

Friday 19 August
9.30 – 12.30 am Workshop 6
- Use a viewfinder to choose and paint your own subject using elements learned in previous workshops
1.00pm: Lunch
4.00pm: Visit to village for meke (traditional dance)
7.00pm: Final lovo dinner

Saturday 20 August
Travel home.

Note: the order of workshops may vary depending upon weather conditions.

View photos from Elena’s 2010 art retreat at Daku Resort. This is a small collection of photos taken by Elena and some of the course participants of the group painting on the beach, in the gardens, in the yoga shala etc.

From Elena’s 2010 Art Retreat

“My trip to Fiji was amazing. I really enjoyed the togetherness of the painting group, the beautiful scenery, the staff at the resort, the laid back lifestyle as well as the opportunity to paint on location with Elena. She is a marvellous tutor, so patient and articulate, as she gave us the benefit of her experience.  I never felt comfortable painting outdoors before and relied on my photos. But Elena has given me the incentive to give plein air painting a go with her easy techniques that would suit all levels of experience.”
Jenny Thomas
Queensland, Australia

“Thanks for your contribution in what was a fantastic experience. I have gained many more painting skills because of it and have a hoard of wonderful memories.”
Karen McAllister
Sydney, Australia

“My wife and I had a wonderful time at Daku and absolutely loved the warm weather and warm atmosphere of being part of “the Daku family”. I really enjoyed your workshop. There were many aspects of technique and composition that I learned from you that will put me in good stead as I continue my quest for self improvement. In particular, I now have a far better understanding on the choices of colour and how background, midtones and highlights evolve from the basic colour groups and must be harmonised within a painting. Whilst I understand now that I went to Fiji with inadequate tools as far as paints and brushes were concerned, I appreciate your understanding in that the issue was somewhat irrelevant as it didn’t prevent me from learning key elements of which I am now conscious I was lacking in. Considering I am self taught some of my directions in educating myself have been misguided so I really appreciated your sharing of knowledge and the patience you showed to the various levels of skill within our group. I know I can speak on everyone’s behalf in that we are all far better artists now than we were prior to your workshop. I feel really excited about further exploring the many techniques you taught me during the course of the week as I now have renewed confidence in my own ability. In some ways your tuition and guidance has been like finding missing pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. In the past this has caused me great frustration in trying to create simple shapes such as clouds, water and foliage. Consequently thanks to you, my painting technique no longer feels like I’m contributing to a confusing puzzle!”
Peter Edge
Melbourne, Australia

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 27 August
Fly to Nadi and on to Savusavu.

Sunday 28 August
9.00am: Botanical Art Workshop
12.00pm: Poolside lunch
1.00pm: Holiday Sketching
3.00pm: Coconut cutting demonstration
7.00pm: Dinner

Monday 29 August
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 30 August
9.00am: Botanical Art Workshop
12.00pm: Lunch
1.00pm: Visit local beach for snorkeling, diving, swimming, relaxing and sketching
7.00pm: Dinner

Wednesday 31 September
9.00am: 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 1 September
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 2 September
9.00am: Botanical Art Workshop
12.00pm: Lunch
1.00pm: Holiday Sketching
3.00 – 5.30pm: Traditional Fijian meke (dance)
6.30pm: Final dinner

Saturday 3 September
Return to Nadi and on home.

Costs

Course only : AUD $2,230.00
Including flights ex-Sydney : AUD $2,980.00