Pastels in Paradise : Nola Cameron July 31 – August 7, 2027
per person
Pastels
Capture the scenes and landscapes of Fiji in the magical medium of pastels.
Price includes:
- Daily workshops with Nola Cameron 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.
PS Bring along your non-painting partner too – there’s plenty for them to do whilst you’re painting, and they can join all the organised excursions on your programme too.
Pastels as a medium
Pastel is a medium that is both painting and drawing. Pastel crayons are pure colour pigment mixed with a binder to form a stick – a sort of cross between a crayon and a stick of chalk. Pastels were favoured by some of the world’s great artists: Edgar Degas who created over 700 works in pastel, Pierre-Auguste Renoir who favoured them for their immediacy and quick effect; Mary Cassatt an American Impressionist who used soft pastels for their gentle effects in depicting tender family emotions. The paintings have all the richness and vibrancy of oils, although paintbrushes are never used.
Beginners and partners welcome.
Detailed description of the workshop
The focus of this workshop will be plein air pastel painting.
Each day we will work at a different location around the island, taking time to observe the surroundings and discuss the most favourable viewpoint and composition before beginning to paint. I will provide a short demonstration at the start of each session, followed by individual guidance and assistance throughout the day.
The aim will be to complete one painting each day, while developing greater confidence in observing and interpreting the landscape.
The workshop will conclude with an exhibition of the work created during the week, providing an opportunity to celebrate everyone’s achievements.
Detailed description of the workshop
Topics Covered
Throughout the workshop, we will explore:
Composition and choosing the strongest viewpoint
Identifying and simplifying the main shapes
Colour and colour relationships
Tone and tonal structure
Light and the direction of light
Creating atmosphere and capturing the character of the scene
Developing detail without overworking the painting
Pastel application and the use of pressure
Working from reference photographs when weather prevents outdoor painting
Individual assistance and guidance as required
Teacher Nola Cameron
I have been painting for more than 30 years, working primarily in pastels as well as a variety of other mediums and subjects. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to receive numerous awards, and I have developed a particular passion for plein air painting — capturing a scene and its changing light while working on location.
For 28 years, I taught and coordinated art programs in primary schools, and I continue to share my knowledge and enthusiasm for art through weekly classes, predominantly focusing on pastel techniques.
Pastel is a wonderful medium for plein air painting. There is no need to mix colours or wash brushes, allowing the artist to respond quickly to the landscape, the light and the atmosphere. The richness, vibrancy and immediacy of pastel make it particularly suited to capturing the character of a place.
For me, plein air painting is exciting, challenging and deeply rewarding. I enjoy sharing this experience with artists of all abilities and encouraging each person to discover their own way of responding to the landscape.
My work is regularly exhibited, and examples of my plein air paintings can be viewed on Instagram at NolaCameron Art.
Nola has been to Fiji twice before, rendering the landscapes in the rich forgiving pastels that she loves.
Any questions? Drop us a line.
OR BOOK NOW! Prices per person
Payment of $500 deposit : this is non-refundable BUT if the course does not go ahead and we cancel for any reason, we will refund it in full.
Summary & Pricing
Title: Pastels in Paradise
Dates: July 31 – Aug 7, 2027
Style: Pastels
Programme: Daily morning workshops; afternoon excursions and free time.
Excursions and extras: All meals, and excursions as listed in the programme.
Food: Mixed menu.
Itinerary: Arrive Savusavu Saturday. Course starts Sunday, end evening Friday. Depart Savusavu Saturday.
What To Bring
Please bring the following materials:
Pastels — a good range of soft pastels. Please include Art Spectrum Flinders Blue Violet D330, Flinders Red Violet F285, a full range of Cerulean Blue, as well as cool blues and aquas.
Pastel paper — I recommend Art Spectrum Colourfix Original. Elephant or Aubergine are suitable choices, as is Raw Sienna, which is particularly useful for seascapes.
Choose a medium-toned paper colour, rather than very light or very dark paper.
8–10 sheets of pastel paper, approximately 23 × 30 cm (9 × 12 inches).
A painting board large enough to comfortably hold your preferred paper size.
Bulldog clips
Soft rags
Wet Ones
A stick of willow charcoal
A small piece of cardboard to hold a reference photograph beside your painting.
Notebook and pen, plus a 2B pencil for thumbnail sketches and planning compositions.
Apron with pockets
Most importantly…
Come prepared to experiment, observe and enjoy the experience of painting outdoors. You don’t need to be an experienced plein air artist — the workshop is an opportunity to develop your skills, gain confidence and, above all, enjoy the unique pleasure of capturing the beauty and atmosphere of the island in pastel.
Accommodation
You’ll stay with us at Daku Resort, Fiji.
Accommodation is packaged with your course: we are offering a choice of standard rooms in our rear bures, or ocean view bures at the front .We have a number of two and three bedroom houses and villas so if there are a small group, we can quote you on those.
Additional Adventures
What to do in your free time.
We’ve arranged a number of excursions as part of the course (see Programme tab on the menu bar above). We also offer a range of other activities inside and outside of Daku Resort (please note that unless they are part of the programme, some activities, such as massages and those requiring equipment hire, may have additional costs).
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
Saturday
- Arrive in Savusavu.
- 6.00 pm Traditional Fijian welcome ceremony
- 7.30 pm Dinner
Sunday
- 9am - 12:30pm: Workshop
- 1pm: Lunch
- Afternoon: Free time
- 7:30pm: Dinner
Monday
- 9.00 am – 12.30 pm Workshop
- 1.00pm Lunch
- Trip to Savusavu Town to see local market and shops. We'll take you there in a taxi, and then leave you to wander around and find your own way back (taxis cost approx F$4.60).
- 7.00 pm Dinner
Tuesday
- 9.00- 12.30 Workshop• 1.00 Lunch • 4.00 pm Visit to local village - a chance to see village life and enjoy the meke dance. Bring along your sketch book (of course). 7.00 pm Dinner
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
- Breakfast and departure.
- Fly from Savusavu back to Nadi International flight home. Check-out time is at 10.00am but you are welcome to leave your bags in reception.