Travel Sketching Tasmania with Renata Wright

Fly to Hobart where you will be met at the airport by your Aussie Redback Tours driver and your tutor. You will be transferred to your hotel for check-in, followed by a meet-and-greet pre-dinner drinks with other artists, then a two-course dinner, before settling in for the night. (D)

After breakfast, we’ll spend the morning at the famous Salamanca Markets (the most visited tourist attraction in Tasmania), where you will be swept away by the number of stalls and activities, including fresh produce, arts, crafts, trinkets, street performers and musicians. This is your time to explore before we get into the serious business of travel sketching!

After lunch we’ll head to Hobart’s Waterfront where you will have a range of subjects to sketch in front of you, including boats, water, seabirds, and people, and right behind us is Parliament House, so if water and boats don’t suit, you may like to have a go at sketching this interesting building instead. Renata will be on hand to help you with your ideas and compositions. Later we head back to our accommodation where you can purchase your own dinner at the motel’s restaurant. (B)

Today we spend a full day at the 19th century penal settlement (and now museum) – Port Arthur. Ruins include the huge penitentiary and the remaining shell of the Convict Church, which was built by inmates. There are more than 30 buildings, ruins and restored houses on site so you’ll have plenty to choose from as sketching subjects. Your entry ticket to Port Arthur also includes a 20-minute harbour cruise, with a number to choose from throughout the day. After Renata’s short demo and instruction in the morning, you will be free to explore, sketch, purchase coffee and lunch at the café, and join the cruise as you please, right up until it’s time to head back to our accommodation for drinks, dinner, and a well-earned rest. (B,D)

This morning we visit MoNA (Museum of Old and New Art). This museum was built by David Walsh to house his collection of ancient, modern, and contemporary art, and is Australia’s largest private museum with three levels of underground galleries. MoNA is also home to two wineries and a brewery, several bars, and restaurants, luxury accommodation, a library, and a tennis court.

After lunch we’ll head to the Hobart Botanical Gardens where you can find your own quiet spot to sketch from the glorious plants, themed gardens or Tasmanian native flora on display. Later we head back to our accommodation where you can to purchase your own dinner at the motel’s restaurant. (B)

This morning we pack our bags and head to Launceston via lovely Oatlands where we have morning tea, then we head to Cataract Gorge (located in the Trevallyn Reserve) for sketching in the afternoon.  Renata will help you capture the scenes around you, giving tips and ideas on how to make your art tell a story. We’ll be sketching in the southern side near the café, swimming pool and native bushland, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to buy a cappuccino and sketch in your diary, surrounded by amazing scenery. It doesn’t get much better than this! Later we check in to our accommodation and enjoy dinner together in the evening. (B,D).

This morning we head to the historic town of Ross, which was established in the 1800s, and one of the best preserved colonial towns in Australia. You’ll have all day to find various spots to capture buildings, the Ross Bridge (Australia’s third oldest bridge still standing), and the gorgeous autumn colours along the heritage-rich streets, stopping only for lunch, and to pack up at the end of the day and head back to our accommodation for dinner and a well-earned rest(B,D)

Today is a sightseeing day. We’ll be visiting Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake, where you’ll be able to take plenty of photos for future paintings, then on the way back we’ll stop at the little cultural town of Deloraine (renowned for its crafts including leadlighting, wood making, glass art, textiles and more). You’ll have ample time to immerse yourself in all things “arty”. You will have a bit of time to do some mini sketches at both locations today, however there will be no tuition. Tonight you are free to purchase your own dinner in Launceston. (B)

Today we take a short drive to Brickendon Historic Farm and Convict Village where you can sketch, paint and explore the convict-built village, wander around the historic gardens of the Georgian homestead and outbuildings, then choose a spot to settle in and sketch in your travel diary, under Renata’s guidance. Tonight we’ll finish with a farewell dinner at our motel, followed by a show-and-tell of everyone’s travel diary memories. You’ll be surprised at how much you have achieved over the past week! (B,D)

Sadly, all good tours must come to an end. This morning after breakfast, you’ll pack your bags and board the bus for your transfer to Launceston airport and your flight home, taking with you some lovely memories of parts of Tasmania. (B)