Plant Diversity & Observational Drawing
Mixed Media Retreat: 3 Days / 4 Nights
Friday 7th – Tuesday 11th March 2025 (enrolments close 24 Jan 2025)
**Earlybird registration discount for art retreat enolments and full-payment before Fri 20th Dec 2024**
Nature Retreat
Are you interested in flora and documenting nature through drawing? Then you will love this unique opportunity of spending three days combining art and science with botanist and artist, Dr Tanya Scharaschkin!
Everyone can draw, given a little bit of time and guidance. So, you will be guided through the process of observing and drawing plants accurately.
Interested in flora & documenting nature through drawing?
You will learn lots of interesting and fascinating facts about major plant groups (mosses, liverworts, ferns, gymnosperms and flowering plants). Fundamental botanical terminology will be explained so as to help you identify plants and understand their basic biology. This information will give you a better understanding of plant diversity, ecology and general botany, that you can apply to gardening, revegetation and plant identification.
Tanya doesn’t expect you to have any prior drawing or botanical experience. This course will suit anyone interested in observational drawing and natural history illustration even if plants are not their preferred subject matter. By the end of the workshop, you should feel comfortable drawing and will have developed close observational skills. You will appreciate the beauty and complexity of plants in nature.
And you will be looking at plants differently or perhaps seeing them properly for the first time!
Where is the nature retreat?
Tin Dragon Cottages in North East Tasmania in the heart of North East Tasmania is a beautiful natural setting for a cosy creative nature retreat. So, you will find your “inner artist” in a relaxed, safe and creative environment. We are taking just 8 participants for this nature retreat with Dr Tanya Scharaschkin (minimum six). So, you can experience personal one-on-one tuition in our purpose-built workshop space.
Who?
The art workshop is suitable for anyone 18 years or older. The only thing you need to bring is enthusiasm. You don’t need prior experience. Regardless of your art ability or botanical knowledge you will find this nature retreat both very relaxing and exciting. In fact the retreat will be as challenging as you want it to be.
Although we are only enroling eight participants, we als0 encourage partners to attend for meal-times. We won’t charge non-partcipating partners for the cost of the art tuition. Your partner may be interested in mountain-biking or near-by short walks?
What is provided for the nature retreat?
- Tuition for the three-day workshop
- All meals from Friday night dinner to Tuesday morning breakfast and morning and afternoon tea/coffee each day. The final night will feature a river-side BBQ (weather permitting). BYO alcohol for the entire trip.
- Breakfast and dinner meals are not provided for day-only registrants
You can provide the materials and equipment needed for the nature retreat or you can purchase kits from Tanya and your hosts when you arrive. (The list will be included in your information sheet, when you register your interest)
What is not provided for the retreat?
- Accommodation and transport to and from launceston is NOT included
- Beverages. In general, guests are responsible for purchasing their own beverages, including any alcoholic drinks.
- Airfares
- Travel insurance
- Participants are encouraged to bring their own basic art supplies
Accommodation
Accommodation is available on site at Tin Dragon Trail Cottages. Ah Moy cottage can accommodation up to four persons (shared bathroom, 2 couples); Ah Ping cottage can accommodate up to four persons (shared bathroom, 1 couple, 2 singles); three studio spa cottages are for couples, or singles and the Settlers Hut can accommodate up to four persons in single bunk beds (shared bathroom). You will need to reserve and pay for these cottages, separately if you wish to stay on site for this multi-day workshop.
For registrants who have booked and fully paid for the workshop, we will send you a coupon to receive a 10% discount for our on site cottage accommodation.
There is plenty of other accommodation in the Branxholm-Derby area. Of course, to avoid sending tax-free money overseas, and to save some of the cost, always try to book direct with the accommodatin owners!
Camping and Caravanning
If you have a fully self-contained campervan, please contact us. We may still have a site available for you! Otherwise, there are other great sites not far away – Including the Branxholm Camping ground which is only a ten minute walk from Tin Dragon Cottages.
Retreats are as much about creating good memories as great art!
Art retreat itinerary
Please note that this itinerary is a guide only and may need to be changed to accommodate the needs of the group, our Artist or weather conditions.
Friday 6th Sept: Depart from Launceston to Branxholm by 13:30
If you are a live-in registrant, our driver will pick you up either from the Launceston Airport or from your hotel or from the Launceston Transit centre. From there we may take you on the scenic route to Tin Dragon Cottages, via a vineyard or olive farm, over the mountians or via the beach. However, the exact drive will depend on your preferences, group size and other factors.
But we should reach Tin Dragon Cottages in time for you to settle in to your cottage and be ready for a short tour. Your host–Graham–will take you for a short walking tour of our farm, including our renewable energy systems, Chinese tin-mining history and forest-bathing experience.
In the evening we will be serving Tasmanian wines and cheeses on the deck. Here, Dr Tanya Scharaschkin will provide a full overview of the art retreat workshops. Then during dinner you will have time to get to know Tanya better as well as your other art participants.
Workshop: Saturday 7th to Monday 9th September 2024
Each tutorial day begins at 9:00 and concludes at 17:00. Day registrants may like to arrive just before the start of the day’s activities.
NOTE: the art program is still being designed – so this is a prleiminary guide, only.
Saturday Day 1 What is a leaf?
Everyone can draw, given a little bit of time and guidance. We will start with basic drawing techniques using gum leaves as our subject matter.
Today, we will look at a variety of specimens to gain a comprehensive understanding of plant structure. You will gain an understanding of botanical terminology commonly used for plant identification.
Then we will go for a walk through a rainforest area and along the river with our sketch books to document different growth forms.
Sunday Day 2 What is a flower?
Flowers are beautiful and hard to ignore, but do you what the different parts are and what their function might be? We will dissect and examine a wide variety of flowers. We will learn how to dissect and observe flowers. Individual floral parts will be drawn separately and labelled with botanical terms. You will learn essential facts about plant life cycles.
We will continue building on our drawing techniques through the day. A major focus will be on shading and perspective. You will learn to draw more complex shapes and how to render a 3-dimensional appearance to your drawing.
During an easy bushwalk we will learn how to differentiate the major groups of plants (e.g., mosses, ferns, gymnosperms and flowering plants).
Monday Day 3 Drawing nature in nature
We will have a relaxing morning applying our drawing skills to a subject matter of your choosing. Drawing in nature involves sitting quietly and concentrating on something that has caught your imagination. And when sitting still, invariably nature comes to you (birds, insects, mammals, reptiles).
Your hosts will provide you with a yoga mat or chair, however you may prefer to bring your own outdoor chair or picnic blanket.
Optional evening activities
Depending on your level of interest – and if you aren’t too tired! – Tanya is happy to share the following with you:
Scientific names made easy
A slide show presentation will provide the audience with an understanding of scientific naming conventions and why names changes.
The right name? Understanding & verifying scientific names
A step-by-step process for checking the validity of plant names, using the Atlas of Living Australia website, will be discussed. The information can be applied to other groups of organisms (fungi, animals).
Botanical Art in the Digital Age: History and Relevance
Come share your thoughts about whether botanical art and illustration are relevant in this age of digital images. Learn about the differences between botanical art and other art forms.
Please email Tanya Scharaschkin at scharasc@gmail.com if you have any questions about her nature retreat. You can also learn more about Tanya on facebook, and on Redbubble.
Tuesday 10th Sept Depart Branxholm to Launceston. Today some guests will enjoy the optional tour with our partners, Pepper Bush Adventures Wilderness Tours– Best Waterfalls in Tasmania, leaving at 10:00. (Guests need to book any pay for this tour, separately).It is the guests responsibility to book and pay for this tour and to organise their transport to their next destination after the tour.
For our other live-in guests it will be a day of relaxing and exploring. Then at 16:00 our driver will return everyone to Launceston by about 17:30. (Departure times will be according to guests’ movements on the day)
Tanya Scharaschkin
Dr Tanya Scharaschkin is a botanist, artist and teacher. Tanya is intrigued by patterns in nature and is keen to share the beauty of plants that she sees at different scales as a botanist. Her artwork combines traditional botanical art with photography and digital art using a variety of media. She hopes her art will inspire others to not only admire plants but also develop an understanding and appreciation for the biology of plants.
Tanya is an enthusiastic and well-organised instructor. Her lectures, talks and workshops enable the general public to understand scientific concepts. Tanya conducts a variety of workshops as a way of sharing her enthusiasm for plants and bringing art and science together.
Academic background
Tanya was born and brought up in Pakistan. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Botany and Zoology and a Master’s in Science degree in Zoology from Pakistan, followed by a Master’s degree in Vertebrate Paleontology and a PhD in Plant Systematics from the US. Much of her academic career was spent at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane. She is now a free-lance botanist and artist, living and working in Collinsvale, Tasmania. Most of Tanya’s projects incorporate a botanical theme, although she has designed, made and exhibited mathematically-motivated quilts. Her artwork is held in private collections, in Australia and overseas.
Love of teaching
I conduct a variety of workshops for scientists, non-scientists and artists as a way of sharing my enthusiasm for plants. I especially enjoy communicating with the general public about scientific topics and exposing people to the sheer beauty of plants. I hope my art will inspire others to not only admire plants but also develop an understanding and appreciation for the biology of plants.
I learn a lot through teaching. I see it as a two-way process and I benefit greatly by the questions I get asked or from the information shared by others.
The most rewarding comments I get are along the lines of “I’ll never look at plants again the same way”. I really enjoy being able to answer people’s questions about plants and exposing them to subtle details. I find it so relaxing to sit and work on one thing and examine details. It is just lovely to share this style of drawing and observing and seeing others appreciate the beauty in nature.
Love for the Tasmanian Landscape
The natural beauty of Tasmania is just a constant source of inspiration for me. Even before I “became an artist” and well before I moved to Tasmania, I designed and created a quilt inspired by the colours of the sky, mountains and sea in Tasmania.
Cost of the Workshop
Price: $1750 PP
Two options for attending this workshop
- Tuition and all meals : $1750
- Friday evening platter with wine on the deck plus two-course chef-prepared dinner
- Two-course dinners for Sat, Sun and Mon nights
- Morning and afternoon tea/coffee for Sat, Sun and Mon
- Lunches for Sat, Sun and Mon
- Continental breakfast in the Barn for Sat, Sun and Mon mornings
- Cooked breakfast in the Barn
- Non participating partners (all meals, no tuition) – $1150
- Tuition and lunches (only): $750
- Morning and afternoon tea/coffee for Sat, Sun and Mon
- Lunches for Sat, Sun and Mon
Guests who are not taking part in the art workshop may like to view these suggested activities.
How to Book Your Place
When you have your group organised (or if you are coming on your own), you can book and pay for your place/s in the the workshop and your accommodation by clicking on making an enquiry (button below). Please note that a $200 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place.
Of course, you are also most welcome to contact us to make a booking for you (stay@tindragontrailcottages.com.au; 040 750 1137). You can then pay on invoice.
If you are not ready to book, you may like to send us your contact details, so that you can stay informed about available places in the workshop.
Terms and Conditions
Payment
Deposit and payment conditions apply as follows:
- To secure your place you need to complete our reservation form. Then upon return email receipt of our invoice, you need to pay a $200 non-refundable deposit.
- 10% discount is applied to registrations paid in full on/before Fri 20th Dec 2024
- The balance of the booking price is due on or before the 24th Jan 2025.
- Failure to complete the payment on time means your reservation will be cancelled and your $200 deposit (administration fee) will not be returned.
- Payment can be made by EFT (only). Details provided on the invoice.
Cancellations/Refunds
Cancellation by Guest
If you wish to cancel your booking you must notify Tin Dragon Cottages in writing as soon as possible. Once Tin Dragon Cottages receives your notice, cancellation will take effect subject to the following:
- Cancellation before 24th Jan 2025 – All payments less the $200 administration fee will be refunded or used as credit (less the administration fee) towards the cost of another retreat;
- Cancellation from 25th Jan to 7th Feb 2025 – 50% of payments less the $200 administration fee will be refunded
- Cancellation after 7th Feb 2025 – no refund and no credit.
No refund will be paid if you:
- voluntarily leave your retreat after it has commenced, including (without limitation) for reasons of bereavement, injury or illness; or
- are directed to leave by the retreat organisers due to antisocial behaviour.
Cancellation by Tin Dragon Cottages
If Tin Dragon Cottages must cancel a retreat for any reason you may receive a 100% refund, or transfer your booking to a future retreat. Tin Dragon Cottages will not be liable for any other participant expenses such as airline tickets, loss of work, and/or other costs associated with preparing for the retreat. Tin Dragon Cottages reserves the right to modify or adapt the retreat without notice in the interests of participant safety, because of adverse weather, changing government and health requirements, or other reasons.
