Birds & Bush in Watercolour TASMANIA - 7 Days SEPTEMBER 2024 with Heidi Willis

Calling all nature lovers! Deep in the hills of remote North East Tasmania lies a tiny farming community with a 100 year old hotel that is now Artable's Australian retreat base. Nature is well and truly begging to be captured in paint down here and you will be combining field trips in nature for inspiration with studio work. Unique lichens and moss grow next to crystal clear streams amidst giant eucalypts and tiny wildflowers known only to this region. Giant eagles soar in the skies whilst little finches dart around the forest floor. This part of Tasmania will speak to every artist on every level. The hotel has been lovingly restored and curated by Artable founder Gillian who has brought together a decade of retreat experience to offer artists their own non-sharing rooms at no extra charge, a huge light filled art studio, a comfortable group lounge complete with Chesterfields and fireplace, daily excursions to visit carefully selected locations to capture the very best natural history paintings. Paired with one of Australia's most renowned watercolour and natural history artists Heidi Willis, this retreat is not to be missed - join us for an experience like no other.

Welcome to Artable's carefully curated Tasmanian space - a quaint 100 year old hotel in the remote north east town of Winnaleah where you enjoy your very own bedroom and bathroom at no extra charge.

Everything is included except your flights and art materials and we have made sure that you get a day to travel in and out plus a FULL 5 days in workshop mode with Heidi.

Your own beautiful bedroom complete with luxury linens and a plush mattress topper for the best nights sleep. A light filled studio space complete with both table and en plein air easels for your use. Transfers between Launceston (airport or city) and the venue as well as daily excursions to a variety of landscapes.

We have painting days with Heidi Willis to explore the local landscape, collect drawings and to record natural history in this most stunning of regions. Our theme is birds & bush so we will be looking closely at what this incredible region has to discover. At night, we dine by candlelight as our chef prepares Tasmanian fare from locally sourced produce to suit all dietary needs. There are beautiful walks surrounding the hotel to truly experience the beauty of the area before or after class or sink into the Chesterfield couches with a wine or a hot chocolate by the fire instead.

If you are keen to come on your own, don't worry, we have many people that join us on their own. Please note that if you opt for a shared room (twin single beds) you attract a $400 discount. Some rooms are located on the upper level and include stairs, so please contact us if you have mobility issues.

To join us make your $200 non refundable or transferrable deposit via the link to the right. We will be in contact in October to collect the balance. Please note that cancellation fees apply to all Artable retreats as outlined below.

We look forward to welcoming you to a wonderful creative holiday.

MATERIALS LIST 

Please scroll to the bottom of the page to find Heidi's Materials List

ARTABLE RETREAT TERMS & CONDITIONS

ACCOMMODATION

Rooms 1-5 have a King bed and detached ensuite (across the hall), these rooms are located on the ground floor.

Room 7 has 2 x double beds for sharing and ensuite, Rooms 8 & 9 have queen beds with ensuites (room 9 is a detached ensuite), Room 10 has a king bed and ensuite. Rooms 7-10 are all located up a single set of stairs on our top floor.

You can opt for a shared room and enjoy a $400 discount. Please note that there are 4 rooms located upstairs, we allocate rooms based on the order that bookings come in.

All rooms enjoy luxury linens and a plush mattress topper.

MEALS

All melas are included except for one dinner out on the final night that you pay for. We draw from our local farmers as well as our region for produce and take pride in our meals. We are very used to catering to a wide range of diets, so please make sure you note any requirements. Please note that alcohol is not included and available for purchase on site. No alcohol is to be brought on location.

CLIMATE

The climate at this time of year can be cool but very pleasant. Please bring warm clothes, evenings are cold and we may do evening excursions.

CLOTHING

Pack painting clothes and casuals. A good waterproof/windproof jacket is great for when the weather changes and you want to do walks outside. Swimwear if you are keen for a cold ocean plunge or if you would like to book the local ‘Floating Sauna’ nearby.

TRAVEL/TRANSFERS

We pick you up at 3.30pm from the LAUNCESTON AIRPORT or a nearby hotel and return you by 11am on the final day.  If you require accommodation before or after the retreat, you need to have this approved by us for availability and you will be charged $220 per night to be paid before you leave the retreat. We otherwise recommend you book a night in Evandale or the Sebel Launceston. Please note that unfortunately we cannot offer airport transfers in the event that you decide to arrive early or stay longer at the retreat. We drive an hour and half to reach our venue and there a number of hills and turns. Bring travel sick tablets if you are worried about this.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance is highly recommended and is to be organised by you.

ART SESSIONS

Painting sessions are from 9am-4pm or as directed by the artist. The rest of the time is yours to enjoy.

FLIGHTS

Flights are not included and are to be organised by you (LAUNCESTON AIRPORT). Please check our pick up and drop off times.

PAYMENT

A non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit is to be made to secure your spot via our website and the reservation form completed.

FULL PAYMENT is due 14 JUNE 2024 - we will send an invoice prior.

Payments are to be made to:

Artable Pty Ltd

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

BSB: 062 643

ACC: 1008 8473

Please use your surname as reference and your invoice number. For example, Smith6471

CANCELLATION/REFUNDS

This trip relies heavily on group numbers. Therefore it is necessary to charge a cancellation fee as outlined below in the event that you decide to cancel. If we decide to cancel the trip at any time we will issue you with a FULL refund. We are not responsible for expenses incurred in the preparation of trips (even cancelled trips), such as airline tickets, travel delays, flight cancellations. There is no refund if you arrive late or decide to leave early. Deposits secure your place and are non-refundable.

In the event that government travel restrictions prevent travel, you will be issued with a credit to be used at any Artable event.

Please note our cancellation dates & that Artable charges a $200 non refundable fee as your deposit.

Cancellation up to 14 June 2024 - $200 non refundable admin fee regardless of reason for cancellation.

Cancellation from 14 June - 14 July 2024 - 50% of trip cost refunded, less $200 non-refundable deposit.

Cancellation from 14 July - 15 September 2024 - No refunds

Please note that our itinerary is a guide only and is subject to changes to accommodate the group and teacher's needs as well as weather considerations. Have a look at our inclusions for a list of what is and isn't included.

Itinerary What's Included

Materials list

To book, email your enquiry using the button below or phone Gillian on 0411 317 606.

$2995 $200 deposit required
Enquire

Meet the Teach

Heidi Willis

Australian born, Heidi Willis is an entirely self-taught Natural History watercolour artist. Her work intricately illustrates our native and exotic plants, flowers, fruits and seed capsules, whilst her powerful & distinctive portraits of our spectacular bird life offers viewers an insight into the world as she experiences it. Painting full-time since 2003, Heidi quickly established herself as one of Australia’s emerging artistic talents. Her reputation as a leading natural history, wildlife and botanical artist is well established and her meticulous and intricate studies of botany and birds can be found in significant public and private collections around the world.

Heidi’s work has featured in prominent national and…

More about Heidi Willis