Plant Diversity & Observational Drawing Retreat
Mixed Media Retreat: 3 Days / 4 Nights
Friday 7th – Tuesday 11th March 2025 (enrolments close 24 Jan 2025)
**Earlybird registration discount is available for art retreat 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!
Documenting nature through drawing
You will learn lots of interesting and fascinating facts about plants, Australian ecosystems and general botany. In this nature retreat, Tanya will explain fundamental botanical terminology to help you identify plants and understand their basic biology. After the retreat, your new knowledge can be applied 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. Tanya will guide you through the process of observing and drawing plants accurately.
By the end of the workshop, you should feel comfortable drawing and will have developed close observational skills. Ultimately, you will appreciate the beauty and complexity of plants in nature.
You can read about Tanya’s 2024 botanical art retreat here.
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 10 participants for this nature retreat. In this way, 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 10 participants, we als0 encourage partners to attend. 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?
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.
NOTE: the art program is still being designed – so this is a prleiminary guide, only.
Friday 7th March: Make your way to Branxholm
For those staying on site, Graham and James will help you settle in. Then, if you are energetic, 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 may provide an informal overview of the art retreat workshop. Then during dinner you will have time to get to know Tanya better, as well as your hosts and other art participants. (This event is NOT included in the day-only attendance option – see Costs for the Workshop section, below.)
Workshop: Saturday 8th to Monday 10th March 2025
Each tutorial day begins at 9:00 and concludes at 17:00, with breaks for morning and afternoon tea and lunch. There may be after-dinner talks and discussions, depending on interests (and energy levels).
Botany art workshop outcomes
The fully-catered, retreat allows participants to unwind and relax and not worry about cooking and cleaning. The slow pace and tranquil surroundings make for a relaxed but stimulating learning environment.
The workshop aims to equip you with:
- Basic drawing techniques
- Introduction to nature journaling and observational drawing
- The confidence to identify plants using field guide
- A greater understanding of plant structure and diversity
Saturday Day 1 What is a leaf?
Tanya will be ease you into drawing by going through some warm-up exercises and testing what you can do with different pens and pencils. Then you will learn to observe and draw basic shapes and move onto recording finer details.
By examining the vegetative structure of flowering plants, you will start developing your understanding of plant structure. Ever heard people discussing “It’s a leaf; no it isn’t, it’s a leaflet”? When is a “leaf” actually a modified stem? On Day 1 of this Art-Science retreat, you will learn: what is a leaf (botanically)!
During a walk to observe flowering plants, Tanya will describe the ecological specialisation of different habitats.
Sunday Day 2 Do all plants have flowers?
You will continue building on drawing techniques through the day. Tanya will introduce shading and perspective. This will enable you to render a 3-dimensional appearance to your drawing.
Flowers are beautiful and hard to ignore, but have you had the opportunity to ask questions and have a discussion with a botanist? What are the different parts of a flower and what is their function? Do all flowers have petals? Do all plants produce flowers? How do non-flowering plants reproduce?
Tanya will show you how to dissect and examine a variety of flowers. Then you will draw individual floral parts separately and label them using appropriate botanical terms. You will compare flowers to cones and start learning about gymnosperms.
Later, Tanya will take you for a walk to see other groups of plants and note their growth habit, abundance and where they occur. This will be a good opportunity for drawing outdoors and starting a nature journal. You will bring materials back to examine in further detail and to do some quick sketches before we relax for the evening.
Monday Day 3 What about the others?
Today you will focus on non-vascular plants and examine mosses, liverworts and ferns. Tanya will describe how their structure and life cycle dictates where these plants can live and reproduce. You will have access to a microscope, so that you can examine mosses and liverworts easily.
On the last day, you will apply drawing skills to a subject matter of your own choosing. This could be a “botanical study” of one plant or a compilation of natural objects that have caught your interest. You may wish to sit quietly outdoors to concentrate on something that has caught your eye. Of course, it may also be a good time to sit by the river and hope a platypus comes to you (the way it did when Tanya sat by the river and did some drawing on a previous visit).
**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 – for full attendance option only (see Costs for the Workshop section, below.)
Tanya is happy to share the following with you:
Land Plant Diversity: an overview of the major groups of plants, their evolutionary history and ecological adaptations.
Scientific Names: an understanding of scientific naming conventions and why names changes.
Inside Plants- Art and Science: plant anatomy and how it is providing inspiration for some of Tanya’s art.
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 11th March Depart Branxholm.
**Included in full-attendance option, only.
On our last morning together, we will enjoy a leisurely (late) cooked breakfast. Based on previous retreats there may be long fond farewells, and more stories. So, we aren’t in a hurry today! Live-in guests will have a late check-out.
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. In particular, I 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.
Teaching is a way inwhich I learn, too. 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.
Book the Art Retreat & Workshop Holiday
Costs for the Workshop
There are two options–full attendance, or day-only attendance– for this multi-day workshop:
- Saturday to Monday: Day only attendance: $750
- three days tuition
- three lunches and morning/afternoon tea/coffee
- Accommodation is NOT included
- Friday to Tuesday: full attendance: $1750
- Friday-night drinks, nibbles and dinner get-together with Tanya
- three days tuition with optional evening slide show discussions
- all meals Friday night to Tuesday breakfast
- Accommodation is NOT included
- non-participating partners (all meals, no tuition); $1150
Guests who are not taking part in the art workshop may like to view these suggested activities.
If you pay in full on/before Friday 20th Dec 2024, you will receive a 10% discount for the cost of the workshop.
What is provided for the nature retreat?
- Tuition for the three-day workshop for both attendance options
- All meals from Friday night dinner to Tuesday morning breakfast and morning and afternoon tea/coffee each day are included for the full-attendance option
- Optional evening presentations after dinner are offered for the full-attendance option
- Lunches and morning and afternoon tea/coffee provided on Sat, Sun & Mon for the day-only attendance option
Full attendance option: The first night (Friday) is an informal get together with wine and cheese on the deck followed by a chef-prepared two course dinner. After the workshop sessions, the final night will feature a river-side BBQ (weather permitting). Please BYO alcohol for the entire trip.
You can bring your own materials and equipment needed for the nature retreat or you can purchase kits from Tanya and your hosts when you arrive. The detailed list will be included in the information sheet, which is sent when you register interest for the workshop. (See the link, Make an Enquiry, below for registration)
What is not provided in the cost for the retreat?
- Transport to and from Launceston.
- Over night accommodation
- Beverages. In general, guests are responsible for purchasing their own beverages, including any alcoholic drinks.
- Airfares
- Travel insurance
Accommodation options near Branxholm
Monday the 10th of March is a public holiday in Tasmania and a popular time-of-year. So, if you interested in attending this retreat, you should book your accommodation early.
You can book acommodation on site at Tin Dragon Cottages. Ah Moy cottage can accommodate 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. The Settlers Hut can accommodate up to four persons in single bunk beds (shared bathroom).
There is a 20% discount coupon available if you choose to book at Tin Dragon Cottages. When you have registered and fully paid for the retreat, you will receive a coupon to use when you make your booking on our web page. This coupon is for any of our cottages during the retreat (7 – 10 Mar 2025).
Otherwise, there are plenty of other accommodation options in and around Branxholm. Of course, we encourage you to book direct with the owners, to avoid paying extra commissions to large overseas-owned booking platforms!
Camping and caravanning
As well as the nearby Branxholm Camping Ground which is only a 10 minute walk away, there are other picturesque camp sites.
If the Dragon River Campground is already booked, phone us, because we may be able to find another site on our property for you. Our camping sites are for people travelling in fully self-contained campers only.
How to Book Your Place in the Retreat
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 by clicking on making an enquiry (button below). Please note that you are required to pay a $200 non-refundable deposit 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 20 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 are 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
- 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. Tin Dragon Cottages will not be liable for any other participant expenses such as airline tickets, cancelled accommodation, 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.
