This outback adventure is designed around one of Australia's great train journeys. Train departs Sydney Central early morning and arrives by 8pm. Daily flights are also available on Rex Airlines, but experiencing the relaxing pace of a train journey to get to Broken Hill is half the fun. Accommodation is required for Monday night in Broken Hill and we meet following breakfast Tuesday morning to be transported to Fowlers Gap.

Our bus will transport us through the amber hues and vibrant reds of living desert country to Fowlers Gap - home of the UNSW Research Station 112 kms north east of Broken Hill, where so many important artists have gone before. Artist Profile Magazine featured a group of 13 prominent Australian artists from a mixture of backgrounds, ages and art practices in 2011. The artists were part of an arts laboratory and spent 14 days translating the arid landscape into art. Their adventure was named "Not the Way Home" and their work from the field was uploaded daily to a blog allowing viewers to follow their journey. Idris Murphy and Ross Laurie were part of this group.

Idris and Ross are two of Australia's leading landscape painters and teachers who have been returning to Fowlers Gap for many years to draw inspiration for their paintings. Our 2 artists work together with the group and have developed a program that exposes students to a variety of ideas and approaches while helping them find their own way of translating the landscape into art. Participants will have full access to the guidance, generosity and wealth of knowledge our 2 artists offer and will have the added benefit of group discussion with Idris and Ross each evening on paint, painting, painters and the history of painting.

Fowlers Gap research station provides rustic but comfortable shared accommodation and amenities. We have engaged a professional caterer to take care of our meals.

A wide range of research on birds, kangaroos, reptiles and other flora and fauna has been carried out on the property including soil conservation, solar energy and astronomy. It is an important site for teaching with regular field excursions by students from both UNSW Science Department and the College of Fine Arts. The remoteness of the Station with its impressive landscape, eco trails and wildlife viewing platforms attracts artists as well as local and international visitors. It is also a working farm with more than 5000 sheep.

Allow yourself time to explore Broken Hill and visit the classic outback town of Silverton with its heritage stone buildings, artist studios and museums.

Idris Murphy & Ross Laurie are represented by King Street Gallery, Sydney

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Tim Allen's unique workshop is exclusive to just 10 participants combining art and adventure while enjoying luxury accommodation at heritage listed The Chalet in Medlow Bath.

Situated on Tim's doorstep, the mountains remain a great source of inspiration for him and he has long wanted to share the 'hidden' parts of this pristine area with likeminded people. Supported by expert guide, we will focus on paths less travelled which may at times be challenging, but which will reveal extraordinary wild beauty, temperate rain forests and sheltered gorges below.

This vast region is Australia’s cradle of conservation and we will maintain the highest standards of safety while supporting responsible travel practices to protect the fragile environment around us so that we minimise our impact and leave the smallest possible footprint. We should be prepared for possible adverse weather conditions and able to carry our own daypack with all our requirements for the day.

We will picnic from deserted lookouts and see the blue haze of the eucalypts splashed across the golden sandstone providing the most incredible scenic panoramas - it feels as though this ancient landscape is a world away, but it is just a short drive or train ride from Sydney.

This awesome opportunity is for artists of all levels who wish to experience the mystery and magic of the Blue Mountains with Tim Allen. Students will develop skills to respond artistically to the landscape in an immediate, powerful and spontaneous way. Tim's 'fast and loose' approach to painting has made his work instantly recognisable and placed him in high demand.

To ensure that this a most memorable experience for all, Tim generously goes beyond the call of duty by giving of his time for discussion in the evenings. He will also provide a range of suggested materials to facilitate both drawing and painting.

The Chalet Guesthouse is limited to sleeping only 10 participants. Built in 1892 it has beautiful ambience and features a private collection of contemporary Australian art throughout. The 7 ensuite guest rooms are a combination of single and share accommodation. The rate will be adjusted according to the type of accommodation available on a 'first come, first serve basis'

Group dinner at The Chalet Sunday 14 Oct - depart midday 18th (4 NIGHTS)

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The methods used are not conventional or traditional watercolour techniques. 

Working from photos Hood demonstrates how she makes her large scale watercolour paintings and will assist each participant in preparing colours, drawing the image and applying the paint.  Students who wish to venture into large scale works will be encouraged to pour watery paint onto their paper. You will proceed on with a second painting during the drying process. Large brushes are preferable to achieve quick, loose flowing marks while smaller brushes are used for detailing the facial features.

Hood gives demonstrations in drawing and painting the eyes, nose, mouth etc to help students understand and achieve the required proportions when painting portraits and transforming a photograph into a recognisable haunting image.

Participants from all levels of experience may expect to produce at least two good paintings in the style of Cherry Hood - ie a large human face by the end of the second day. 

Cherry is represented by Tim Olsen Gallery, Sydney, Arc One, Melbourne, Heiser Gallery, Brisbane, Paul Greenaway, Adelaide and Turner Gallery, Perth. Hood attained a Master of Visual Art at the Sydney College of Arts in 2000. Her thesis investigated gender politics in art and cultural mores and taboos. She is represented in major Australian institutional and gallery collections; and has won the Arhcibald Prize in 2002.

Please see materials list and requirements for the workshop.

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An exclusive 'one off' working in the studio of Wendy Sharpe for the day. Wendy will conduct compositional and drawing exercises with the group and will throughout the day demonstrate how she creates her provocative and sensuous images of the human form. Sharpe has developed a distinctive gestural style grounded in an innate ability to draw. She confronts the complexities of human relationships and universal themes of love. Often working from life, her paintings possess a spontaneity and directness that invites viewers to engage with the work on an emotional level.

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PLEASE DO NOT PAY TO GO ON THE WAIT LIST

Maximise your creative potential by drawing on the wealth of your imagination and memory to form your own unique stories. In this workshop Andrew will take you through a process of visualisation exercises to create imaginative compositions of your own. Working with charcoal, you will also develop technical skill that will enhance your imagery through a greater understanding of line and tone study.

His teaching and drawing span a period of 35 years in Australia, the United Kingdom and USA. He has been a finalist in the major drawing prizes in Australia including a seven times finalist in the Dobell.

Andrew will demonstrate ways to look inwards for a more personal story by using poetry, text, music and song as starting points. It is the commitment to drawing that forms the core of ones art practice.

"Andrew's ability to put traditional approaches aside, allows a freer and more individual way of seeing and thinking which is totally liberating.  Couple this with Andrew's positive attitude, his passion for drawing and his ability to impart knowledge and you have a learning experience that will stay with you and continue to benefit long after the end of the course." - Graeme Nichols, Sturt Summer School.

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Judy has worked in pastel for over 40 years. During this time she has drawn influence from the study of Post Impressionism and Japanese Art of the late nineteenth century.

Often referred to as 'lightweight' medium, pastel can instead offer huge scope when pushed beyond its limits. A build up of layers through light sprays of fixative can create thick textures, much more vibrant colours and a rich luscious surface. In this workshop Judy will demonstrate her approach.

Working with 2 separate life models, participants will be shown how to develop a loose and free technique using charcoal and a kneadable rubber. Studying the subject directly from life fine tunes the powers of observation, encourages visual memory and allows for individual interpretation. A better understanding of tone helps when working in colour later.

Moving on to working in colour on black background, students will learn how to build up layers, create bold colour combinations and intensify the colour by working into the medium.

Initially concentrating on the portrait we will continue to work down through the shap and patters of the garment and consider the importance of the background in the overall composition.

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