Fowlers Gap Landscape Painting Workshop May 2025

Join Nicole Kelly on a 6 day painting workshop at Fowlers Gap Research Station in the remote arid zone of western NSW.

12 - 18 MAY 2025

The workshop focuses on painting and drawing directly from nature. Participants will improve their skills under the guidance of  Nicole Kelly a practicing artist and experienced art educator. During the workshop Nicole will expose you to a variety of ideas and approaches with a mix of teaching demonstrations as well as informal discussions over meals in the evenings. Topic discussed include composition, colour, content, influences and the illusion of space. Learn and develop new skills in a beautiful and relaxed environment.

This workshop will be fully catered.

Itinerary

(Optional extra) | Sunday 11 May - Arrive Broken Hill

We will meet guests opting to fly in at Broken Hill airport at 2pm (arrangements can be made for flights arriving later) and transfer you to your accommodation. Anytime earlier you will need to make your own arrangements. We recommend the Palace Hotel, the backdrop for the movie Priscilla Queen of the desert. You can take the afternoon to explore Broken Hill at your leisure.

*Accommodation at the Palace books out extremely fast. Once your booking is confirmed with us we highly recommend you book a stay at the Palace where we will be staying the night. Please note you will be responsible for all accommodation and meals in Broken Hill and it is not included in our costs.

Day 1 | Monday 12 May

We will meet at Broken Hill Regional Gallery at 10am for a tour of the collection. Since its inception in 1904, the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery has acquired an impressive collection featuring many artists of national importance. We then travel to Fowlers Gap Research Station, and after settling in, there will be talk from Fowlers Gap director and a welcome lunch. After lunch we will meet with local indigenous leader Mark, who will share with us dreamtime stories, cultural values, cultural heritage and history of the area. This is a really great opportunity to get accustomed to the extraordinary landscape and learn the indigenous history of the area. We will then settle in for dinner and welcome drinks back at the Quarters.

Day 2 | Tuesday 13 May

After breakfast at the Quarters we will lead the way to a location overlooking the lake. This site gets good morning shade and you will also have the opportunity to paint and draw en plein air with the guidance and assistance of Nicole. Lunch will be provided back at the homestead. Artists can choose to spend the afternoon developing works back on site or in the studio, or explore the property on foot. Tonight Nicole will give a short presentation with evening drinks followed by a delicious meal.

Day 3: Wednesday 14 May

Today we travel by 4WD to Ochre House Artist Retreat. At this unique waterhole situated in a remote gorge on the station, you can immerse yourself in a varied and multi-coloured landscape and spend a full day painting. This location has inspired leading national and international artists and is a perfect painting location. Today Nicole will give a painting demonstration and share her palette set up. Lunch will be on site and we will head back before sun set. As the sun sets, enjoy a pre dinner drink with informal discussion back at the Quarters. This is a perfect time to ask questions and get feedback on your work.

Day 4: Thursday 15 May

we travel by 4WD to Ochre House Artist Retreat. At this unique waterhole situated in a remote gorge on the station, you can immerse yourself in a varied and multi-coloured landscape and spend a full day painting. This location has inspired leading national and international artists and is a perfect painting location. Today Nicole will give a painting demonstration and share her palette set up. Lunch will be on site and we will head back before sun set. As the sun sets, enjoy a pre dinner drink with informal discussion back at the Quarters. This is a perfect time to ask questions and get feedback on your work.

Day 5: Friday 16 May

Today is a full studio day. You will be encouraged to choose a selection of your own drawings and earlier paintings to create a sustained studio painting. Nicole will demonstrate working from drawings, discuss internal colour logic and how to make colour decisions without photography. Nicole will work at an individual level within the parameters of your own practice. Feel free to take time in the afternoon to continue on with your studio work, explore the property to find a new location to work plein air or simply unwind with a book in the comfort of your accommodation. Enjoy a drink together in the evening before dinner.

Day 6: Saturday 17 May

After breakfast at the Quarters we will lead the way to Silcrete Studio. This studio is under renovation but is positioned on a stunning site on the property. Close to the studio are the leopard trees found on the property, a species of tree endemic to inland areas of eastern Australia. Lunch will be provided back at the homestead. Artists can choose to spend the afternoon developing works back on site or in the studio, or explore the property.

From 3pm guests will meet for a final critique where you display your work and discuss the artwork in detail. Tonight will be our last dinner together celebrating a shared creative experience and new friendships.

Day 7: Sunday 18 May

After a final breakfast you’ll head back to Broken Hill where you will be dropped to the airport to meet their departing flights. The bus will depart Fowlers Gap at approx. 9:00am and it is a 1.5hour drive back into Broken Hill. Please arrange your flights from midday onwards to allow plenty of time for check in.

For those driving you are free to leave at your leisure.

Please note: Itinerary may change due to weather or unforseen circumstances. 

This workshop may not be suitable for individuals who find it challenging to navigate rough, uneven terrain.