Seascapes in Acrylics with John E Gibb
Painting Retreat: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Friday 18th to Tues 22nd Nov 2022
Where is the art retreat?
Tin Dragon Cottages in North East Tasmania in the heart of North East Tasmania is a beautiful natural setting for a cosy painting workshop. So, you will find your “inner artist” in a relaxed, safe and creative environment. We are taking just 8 participants (minimum four), so you can experience personal one-on-one painting tuition in our purpose-built workshop space.
Who?
The live-in (only) art workshop is suitable for anyone 18 years or older. You need no painting experience–just a desire to learn and achieve. This painting workshop is designed for those who are keen to learn to paint a seascape or landscape but have never had the opportunity or encouragement to do so, before now!
While the art workshop is limited to 8 participants, partners are also encouraged to attend the retreat. Partners, not participating in the workshop, will be not be charged for tuition.
What is provided for the art retreat?
- All materials and equipment needed for the workshop are provided
- 4 nights accommodation with a variety of cottages to choose from
- Transport to and from Launceston
- 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.
About the art workshop
The workshop involves producing a painting from start to finish using ideas gleaned from digital images of Binnalong Bay, Bay of Fires coastline. So the theme is coastal, with an emphasis on water and rocks.
It is an intensive, yet relaxed, workshop that uses the eco-friendlier medium of acrylic paint. Each participant is taken through the various stages of producing a seascape painting. This involves canvas preparation, composition and perspective principles as well as the many techniques of application.
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: Depart from Launceston to Branxholm by 13;30
Our driver will pick you up either from the Launceston Airport or from your hotel. 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… 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 cheeses and wine on the deck, followed by dinner.
Workshop
Each tutorial day begins at 9:00 and concludes at 17:00.
Saturday Day 1-Bay of Fires Inspiration and Canvas Preparation. Today we will take a short drive to some of John’s favourite beach locations. Here you will be encouraged to take photos/sketches to inspire your painting.
Then on your return to the Tin Dragon art studio, John will demonstrate how to prepare and transfer ideas onto the canvas. You will also learn to paint by using acrylic paints, and how to start a painting.
Sunday Day 2-Building the painting. Today, you will continue with your painting. John will be demonstrating and providing one-on-one personal tuition.
Monday Day 3-Finishing techniques. On the final day, you will complete your painting! Finally, John will review the course and provide suggestions for framing your completed art works.
Tuesday: Depart Branxholm to Launceston. Today some guests will enjoy the optional Pepper Bush Adventures Wilderness Tour– Best Waterfalls in Tasmania, leaving at 10:00. For our other guests it will be a day of relaxing and exploring. Then at 16:00 our driver will return everyone to Launceston by 17:30.
John E Gibb
Born at Hobart in 1953, John spent his first years in the small mining town of Rossarden on the slopes of Ben Lomond. From an early age his interest in art and painting was greatly encouraged by his teachers and parents. He graduated from the Tasmanian College of Advanced Education and the Tasmanian School of Art in 1975. He taught visual art at secondary schools in Tasmania for 20 years before retiring in 1995 to concentrate on painting.
It was his appreciation of the watercolourist, Hans Heysen, that inspired him to to take up watercolour-painting. This became a passion that continued to flourish during his years of teaching and beyond. Ultimately, this passion resulted in several awards in Tasmania as well as the mainland.
For many years John has been profoundly deaf. However after a successful cochlear implant in 2001, John refocused his passion into painting with acrylics. This is a medium that has allowed him a greater freedom of expression. Today John’s artworks continue to reflect his deep love for the natural beauty of Tasmania. His individual approach to realism, and fastidious attention to detail in his search for the Tasmanian equation, give his art works a depth and quality sought after by many.
John’s more than 30 years of teaching and encouraging others to realise their potential in painting, means his practical and informative workshops are highly sought by those wishing to learn to paint – or to improve their painting technique.
John lives with his wife, Liz in Scottsdale, Tasmania. His work can be viewed at the Scottsdale Art Gallery café.
Book the Art Retreat & Workshop Holiday
Price: $1995 PP Twin/Share (Includes cost of workshop).
Solo guests (entire cottage to yourself): $2650
Couple (in a studio spa cottage): $4390
Twin/share (in Ah Moy or Ah Ping cottages): $1995
Budget share (Settlers Hut): $1700
**Non-participating partners save $350
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 in the the workshop and your accommodation using by making an enquiry (below).
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.
What is included?
Art Materials
Paints: (Matisse ‘Structure’ brand) Ultramarine Blue, Australian Sky Blue, Phthalo Blue, Yellow Mid Azo, Naphthol Scarlet, Hookers Green, Raw Sienna, Payne’s Grey, Carbon Black and Titanium White.
Brushes – We will be using‘Robert A Wade NEEF 980 Taklon Long Flat – Sizes – 1/8” (x2), 1/4”, 1/2″, 3/4”
Canvases – A choice — 300mm x 400mm or 250mm x 500mm
Easels
Accommodation
Four nights accommodation is included.
Accommodation is 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).
Meals
All meals from Friday night dinner to Tuesday morning breakfast and morning and afternoon teas are included in the package price. Tea, coffee and cold water are available all day. Lunch and dinner are not provided on Tuesday. Please note that alcohol is not included.
Travel/transfers
We pick you up in Launceston on Friday afternoon from the airport, bus transit centre or your hotel (by arrangement). Guests will be returned to Launceston from Tin Dragon Cottages on Tuesday.
Travel Insurance
We highly recommend that you organise and pay for your own travel insurance.
Flights
Flights are not included and are to be organised by you. Please check with us for pick-up and drop-off times. If your flight is delayed/cancelled we may need to make alternate transport arrangements for you – and you must keep us informed.
Payment
To secure your place you need to complete our reservation form/invoice (sent via return email) and make a $200 non-refundable and non transferable deposit. Full payment is then due by COB Friday 16th September 2022. Failure to pay means your reservation will be cancelled and your $200 deposit (administration fee) will not be returned or transferred.
Payments can be made to: Alpine Group Pty Ltd, BSB: 017537, account: 198381039 Please use your name and booking number as a refence.
Cancellations/Refunds
Because this Retreat relies of a minimum group number (4) and third-party transport, it is necessary for us to charge a cancellation fee should you decide to cancel. However, if we decide to cancel the Retreat, we will offer you either a FULL refund or a credit.
We are not responsible for any of your expenses incurred in the preparation for your trip (even cancelled trips) such as ariline tickets, travel delays or flight cancellations. There is no refund if you arrive late, or decide to leave early.
Your deposit secured your place in the reteat and is not refundable, or transferable.
If our Artist is unable to attend, we will do our best to find another Tasmanian Artist able to conduct the workshop, or we may need to reschedule the Retreat. In this event, you will be offered a credit.
In the event that government travel restrictions prevent you from travelling, you will be offered a credit to be used to attend another Retreat at Tin Dragon Trail Cottages. If you are unable to attend because you have been issued with a positive (PCR) COVID test result, you will be issued with a credit to use at another Tin Dragon Cottages Art Retreat, less the $200 non-refundable deposit fee. You will need to provide evidence of your positive PCR test result.
If you are unable to attend because you are too ill to travel, you will be issued with a credit to use at another Tin Dragon Cottages Art Retreat, less the $200 non-refundable deposit fee. However, you will need to provide evidence of your illness (such as a medical) certificate in order to claim this credit.
Cancellation up to 16th September 2022 – All your payments less the $200 non-refundable administration fee will be refunded.
Cancellation from 17th September to 14th October – 50% of your payment minus the $200 administration deposit will be refunded.
Cancellaton from 15th October – No refunds will be issued.
