Fiji – a fresh vision: Watercolour, Gouache or Drawing with Charles Sluga: 13 – 20 June 2026
per person
Fiji – a fresh vision: Watercolour, Gouache or Drawing
Discover a fresh perspective on painting with Charles Sluga’s immersive Fiji workshops. Explore markets, beaches, and vibrant culture while learning to see with clarity, interpret with imagination, and create with purpose. Using watercolour, gouache, or sketching, Charles guides you beyond the ordinary to a more creative, expressive style. See Fiji—and your art—through new eyes in this inspiring and transformative workshop.
Click on the PROGRAMME tab above to see the plan for each day.
Price includes:
- Daily workshops with Charles Sluga with personal attention
- Accommodation – choose from our bures at the front (Ocean View bures), or at the back (standard rooms) – or ask us about our two bedroom villas.
- Meals : breakfast, lunch and dinner – a mix of local Fijian and Indian food and international recipes
- Excursions: snorkel on the fabulous coral reefs, bathe in glorious waterfall, revel in the abundant nature of the landscape and experience the rich Fijian culture.
You just need to buy your air ticket and art materials, and leave the rest to us.
Overview of the week's course
Charles believes that painting isn’t a gift reserved for a select few—it’s a skill anyone can learn. But in his workshops, it becomes something more: a way of seeing the world differently, more deeply, and with limitless creative potential.
Over the course of the week, Charles will inspire you through engaging lectures and hands-on guidance, encouraging you to use your sketchbook as a playground for ideas—a space to take risks, explore possibilities, and stretch your creative boundaries using gouache, watercolour, or drawing. Each morning features a focused three-hour session. Charles often begins with a live demonstration, then offers one-on-one feedback and guidance as you work.
He will deliver concise, impactful demonstrations that highlight essential techniques and explore what he calls the five pillars of a great painting.
- Value – Shape light and shadow to create form, depth, and visual drama.
- Colour – Organise your palette, mix rich hues, and use colour to evoke emotion and energy.
- Edge – Master the art of edges to add nuance, atmosphere, and life to your work.
- Design – Learn how strong composition can transform even the simplest subject into a powerful piece.
- Creativity – Develop a fresh perspective by cultivating a more imaginative and open approach.
Whether you’re a curious beginner, an experienced artist seeking new inspiration, or someone looking to reconnect with creativity in a beautiful setting, this workshop is your invitation to see—and paint—the world anew.
Not a painter?
Non-painting partners are warmly invited too! There’s plenty for them to enjoy while you paint—and they’re welcome on all planned excursions.
Any questions? Drop us a line.
OR BOOK NOW! Prices per person
We ask for a $500 non-refundable deposit to secure your place. If the course does not go ahead and we cancel for any reason, we will refund it in full.
If you book a twin shared room, please let us know who you will be sharing it with.
Meet your instructor.
Charles Sluga isn’t your typical artist.
While his love for drawing began early—taking acrylic painting lessons at just 13—his academic path initially led him to mathematics and physics. But the pull of art proved stronger. Over 30 years ago, Charles made the life-changing decision to pursue his passion full-time, becoming a professional contemporary artist.
Today, he’s internationally celebrated for his distinctive approach to watercolour—what he calls “watercolours outside the square.” Charles challenges convention, questions the very purpose of painting, and consistently pushes the boundaries of what watercolour can do.
His work spans a wide range of subjects and styles, from loosely realistic to semi-abstract, and he often blends media to achieve the visual impact he seeks. Every piece is grounded in thoughtful intention, often supported by detailed research. One striking example is his acclaimed Monopoly Exhibition—a project two years in the making that involved documenting the streets of London through extensive research and creative interpretation.
Critics have described his technique as “impeccable” and his artistic vision as “brilliant” and “evocative.” Charles’s willingness to take creative risks has helped elevate watercolour to a respected position in the world of contemporary art. His achievements include the prestigious Alice Bale Award, participation in the International Watercolour Biennale, and representation at the New York Art Expo.
But beyond the accolades, Charles is known for his humanity. He loves the smell of the sea, the crisp air of winter, and the sound of shared laughter. He cries over Steinbeck novels and wears his heart openly.
His workshops and tours offer more than artistic instruction—they’re experiences shaped by creativity, authenticity, and connection.
Course Summary
Dates: June 13 – 20, 2026
Teacher: Charles Sluga
Content: Watercolours, gouache and drawing
Programme: Daily morning workshops of 3 hours
Suitability: All levels
Food: Three meals a day.
Itinerary: Arrive Savusavu June 13. Course starts morning June 146, ends evening June 19. Depart Savusavu June 20.
Materials: A list of materials to be purchased for the course will be provided.
About the Workshop
During the week Charles will lead you into the heart of the local community, walking around the market stalls, spending time in the nearby villages, watching the meke dancers, setting up your easels on the beach. There will be time spent back at Daku Resort in the studio which we set up on the platform on the hillside – we use it for yoga retreats, for weddings, for art exhibitions and of course as an art studio, which is what you’ll be there for.
Charles’ great love is the sea and there’s plenty of that in Fiji. Daku Resort is on the shores of Savusavu Bay where the waters change from a midday azure to a late evening slate grey. Over the hill and down the Hibiscus Highway the ocean sparkles in turquoise and teal at low tide, and then turns to a deeper hue of navy as it comes up. Along the coastline the coconut palms sway, the children wave from the bus on their way to school, the women hang their washing out in the gardens. All this is waiting to be captured by your paintbrushes.
The week is based on filling sketchbooks with studies and paintings in either Watercolour and/or Gouache. Drawing/sketching is also an option and can be in pencil, ink or any toher drawing medium).
NOTE: Program may change depending on skill levels and interest
The week is loosely organised as follows:
Day One: This morning will be spent learning the skills necessary for a successful en-plein air painting, covering the fundamentals such as value, colour and edge and how to plan for a succesful painting (hint: it’s not just about copying what is in front of you).
Day Two: Sometimes when painting en-plein air we can become overwhelmed by subject matter choices. Charles will give you handy hints on how to select your subject then how best to make an impactful painting from any subject using compositional techniques.
Day Three: Charles shows you the pitfalls of painting boats and water and gives you a series of questions to ask yourself to avoid them. Knowing what to look for and what to ignore, can make the difference between success and failure when painting boats and water.
Day Four: Charles will show you how even a difficult subject (or any subject) can be made into a successful painting using a combination of composition, colour choices and design, experimentation and taking risks.
Day Five: Learn how to see, interpret and paint. Not just paint. Make your painting stand out by taking some risks, pushing your composition and creating some interest. How? Let Charles show you.
Day Six: Find out the solution to whatever you struggle with in your paintings. Charles is incredibly generous with his knowledge and 30 years experience and is keen to help you.
Our location : Savusavu, Fiji
During this week, you’ll enjoy the rich culture and unspoilt nature of Fiji, the place where happiness comes naturally. We’re in Savusavu in Fiji’s North – known as the Hidden Paradise because it really is! We’ll take you out to snorkel on the beautiful coral reefs, to plunge into fresh waterfalls, to visit traditional Fijian villages where you’ll see a deeply hospitable corner of Fiji.
We’ve got a full programme planned – with some spare time to just relax.
Our accommodation: Daku Resort
We’re located at Daku Resort near Savusavu in Fiji. It’s a small and comfortable resort: you can choose from Ocean View bures, or standard room rear bures.
Ocean View bure
Standard room – rear bure
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Included
AccommodationAll Workshop FeesDining & MealsLectures & ExcursionsTransfers from Savusavu Airport -
Not Included
Alcoholic BeveragesEquipment & SuppliesFlights/TravelNon-Course ActivitiesTravel Insurance
From Our Gallery
Pictures from previous courses.
Saturday
- Arrive in Savusavu.
- 6.00 pm Welcome kava ceremony
- 7.00 pm Dinner
Sunday
- 9.00 am – 12.30 pm Workshop. On this first morning we will be in the yoga platform at Daku resort, a stunning open sided space that also serves as an inspiring art studio with its views over the resort gardens and out into the bay and the mountains beyond.
- 1.00 pm Lunch
- Afternoon: Free time
- 7.30 pm Dinner
Monday
- 1.00 pm Lunch
- 2.00 Handicraft display and tapa making demonstration: some of the local women will come to display and sell their jewellery. One of them will give a demonstration of making tapa – the decorated Fijian bark cloth.
- Afternoon: Trip to Savusavu Town to see local market and shop. Savusavu town is a mileaway – 5 minutes in a taxi. We will send you in by taxi and then leave you to wander round and make your own way back by taxi – it’s FJ$4 (US$2).
- 7.00 Dinner
Tuesday
- 9.00 am – 12.00 pm Workshop: Savusavu harbour. We go into town (5 minutes drive) to one of the yacht marinas to paint the boats and the island across the harbor channel. The Copra Shed Marina has pleasant gardens and a nice café where you can buy coffee; the Waitui Marina is nore rustic but has some gorgeous views. We’ll make a decision on the day depending on weather / group interests.
- 1.00 lunch
- 4.30 pm Trip to local village and see the traditional meke dance performed with an entrancing energy by the villagers.
- 7.00 pm Dinner
Wednesday
- 9.00 am – 1.00 pm Workshop: We drive up to Urata lookout café (approx. 20 minutes), a notable local feature with unparalleled views over Savusavu Bay. The café has been built as a joint project between the Rotary Club of Savusavu and the landowning mataqali (clan) of Urata village. The views are stunning, the coffe is great – and the painting opportunities are challenging! (but rewarding) After that, we drive on to Vuadomo waterfall, a beautiful natural fall full of painting opportunities – and a place where you can plunge in to swim in the cool waters of the pool beneath the waterfall.
- 1.00 pm Lunch
- Free afternoon
- 7.00 pm Dinner
Thursday
- 9.00 am Workshop: Picnic Lunch and swimming at Buli Kula beach. This venue is a 20 minute drive down the Hibiscus Highway and has beautiful coastal views. If the tide is high, you’ll be able to swim and snorkel.
- Return to Daku approx. 3.00
- 7.00 pm Dinner
Friday
- 9.00 am – 12.30 pm Workshop. Final morning which we leave unscheduled: we might go back into town, or find a new spot that has caught your attention – or just stay in Daku finishing off the paintings you have been working on during the week.
- Afternoon: Free
- 5.00 Informal group show and critique.
- 7.00 Final Fijian dinner
Saturday
Tour Location
Daku Resort, Fiji