4 – 11 August 2023
Whatsapp me on – 0763530330 to book your place
Where: Richtersveld near Vioolsdrift
Escape the routine of everyday life, the winter blues & join me, South African Artist Sharon Kuisis, on an art adventure exploring the remote & remarkable Richtersveld!
A very unique and exclusive opportunity to explore a very special part of Southern Africa and it’s overwhelming presence on roads less travelled. We will see some monumental geological structures & experience an enchanted wilderness…. A place laid bare by the elements, and yet with its own unique beauty.
I am a professional artist and teacher and I have explored this area of the UNESCO Richtersveld World Heritage Site in my Jimny and would like to share my love of this part of the country, its light, space and stillness with you through art.
We will explore the part of the Richtersveld that borders the magnificent Orange River, as well as the Helskloof/Nababiep Nature Reserve and Rooiberge. I have a Garmin Inreach Mini satellite device so we will always be safely in communication with the outside world.
You will be choosing your own accommodation, enjoying good local food at local places or self catering to your own liking, and learning about the great expanse of stars above during a stargazing evening. We’ll be exploring the surrounding scenery , collecting pebbles on the giant ‘scratch patch’ along the mighty Orange River, see the earliest forms of art on giant boulders, and learn how to capture this experience with pen & paint, mixed media and other forms of art such as jewellery.
Worried about the weather? The Richtersveld is extremely hot in summer, often above 40 deg c, and the temperatures in August range from 17 to 30 deg during the day & 8 deg at night, with an average of 8mm of rainfall, it’s the perfect time to go and explore this amazing place! So you’ll only need to bring warm clothing for the early mornings and evenings.
4 X 4 ONLY
Cost – Full Tuition & Tour Package – R9800
Non Artistic Participants welcome to join a participant on the tours –all relevant costs to be paid by themselves
Full Tuition & Tour Package Includes:
5 Days Tuition
Tours of the Richtersveld
Bespoke Handmade Leather Travel Art Journals with Watercolour Paper
Daniel Smith Professional Watercolours
Set of Micron Pens
Materials to make pendants out of pebbles – Silver, brass and copper wire & accessories
Use of Oil paints, Charcoal, Pastels
Use of mediums & various materials
I’ll bring Plein air Easels for you to use.
Excludes: Accommodation, Insurance, meals, drinks, gratuities and transport –
Materials: brushes & palette
(I can supply materials at cost)
You are welcome to bring your own materials
Please note – 4X4 ONLY!
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at chosen accommodation.
5/6pm – Meet for Dinner & Introductions ( Place to be determined closer to the time)
Day 2
7.30 – Optional – meet up for breakfast
9am – Meet up at the entrance of Helskloof/Nababeep Nature Reserve – Explore banks of the Orange River with our 4×4:s, take photos & collect pebbles & lesson. Keep an eye out for stones for pigments too.
Lessons for the day – composition, tonal/value sketches etc – a lesson that teaches you what to focus on and what is important (using sketchbooks) & Pen & Ink Techniques in the afternoon.
6/7pm – Optional – Meet up for Dinner
Day 3
7.30 – Optional – meet up for breakfast
9am – Meet up at the entrance of Helskloof/Nababeep Nature Reserve – Explore & Drive to an interesting area in the Richtersveld –
Lessons for the day – Mixing the colours of the Richtersveld – Colour mixing basics and aerial perspective using a limited palette which teaches you to utilize value rather than colour, and gives you better colour harmonies in watercolours using the surrounding area & pebbles as references.
Essential watercolour techniques and textures using different mediums such as salt.
6/7pm – Optional – Meet up for Dinner
Day 4
7.30 – Optional – meet up for breakfast
9am – Meet up at the entrance of Helskloof/Nababeep Nature Reserve – Exploring the Richtersveld for the whole day – Lesson for the day – Travel Journalling – How to capture a scene quickly via sketches in journals using Pen & ink techniques & colour mixes learnt yesterday.
6/7pm – Optional – Meet up for Dinner
Day 5
7.30 – Optional – meet up for breakfast
9am – Meet up at the entrance of Helskloof/Nababeep Nature Reserve – Lesson for the day – Plein air painting demos and practice along the banks of the magnificent Orange River. (optional – Can be done in oil paint)
6/7pm – Optional – Meet up for Dinner
Day 6
Day of Contemplation
Day of Contemplation
Free to do what you would like – or ….. Book a half day trip down the Orange River!
6/7pm – A Traditional Braai & Stargazing Evening
Day 7
7.30 – Optional – meet up for breakfast
9am – Meet up at a central point (to be decided on) – Lesson for the day – Making pendants out of pebbles
Finishing off of paintings.
6/7pm – Optional – Meet up for Dinner
Day 8
Breakfast and say our goodbyes
- Itinerary may change slightly from day to day.
- I can supply lunches for the day on the road at R150 pp– please let me know beforehand
Accommodation Options that will be booked by me
1. The Growcery Camp
BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER AVAILABLE
The Chic Shacks
The Chic Shacks – The Chic Shacks offer an affordable rate in a beautiful setting. Our rooms have been constructed from reclaimed materials. Each one sleeps, two people. These rooms come with bedding, and guests have access to shared bathrooms constructed from river stones. We love our huge showers, and so will you!
There is a BBQ area with a kitchenette as well. You can make use of the self-catering facilities or join us for a hearty fresh-cooked meal.
The Growcery Camp’s Chic Shacks are value-for-money accommodation. It’s basic and comfortable. There are ten units, and we can accommodate a maximum of 20 travellers at any given point in time. Your vehicles can be safely parked close to your Chic Shack of choice. This is the perfect upgrade to camping and we refer to our shacks as glamping units rather than lodge units. It is definitely not luxury, but rather quirky, clean, and neat glamping accommodation.
Sharing
R1960 Chic shack only
R2590 Bed and Breakfast
R3850 Dinner, bed and Breakfast
Single
R2380 Chic shack only
R3010 Bed and Breakfast
R4270 Dinner, bed and Breakfast
Camping
Vioolsdrift Camping at The Growcery Camp offers private campsites with magnificent river and mountain views. These are unobstructed views of the Orange River and Richtersveld Mountains. These private campsites will range in size and location. They all come standard with grass, indigenous trees, and great places. These Private Vioolsdrift camping sites are trendy, and we do suggest that you book well in advance. Our concept at The Growcery Camp is recycled, re-used, and then up cycle. We urge all our visitors to use our well-signed waste and organic bins while visiting the camp. Please take full advantage of our organic garden produce and fresh herbs.
Camping and caravanning are welcome, and the camp provides a relaxed environment. Children can explore the camp ground, while more adventurous guests can enjoy some of the many activities on offer in the area.
We can accommodate bush caravans and 4×4 trailers at our Riverview sites, but, unfortunately, not a standard caravan.
We have two big campsites close to bathrooms and showers equipped for caravans.
R150 site fee per day x 7 – R1050 plus
River View R1400 pp – 7 nights
Private R1750 pp – 7 nights
Distant View R1400 pp – 7 nights
30% non refundable deposit
2. FRONTIER RIVER RESORTS
TENT 1
Consists of 4 single beds
R14350 – 7 nights accommodation only
TENT 2
Consists of 2x 3/4 beds
R8750 – 7 nights accommodation only
TENT 3
Consists of 2 x single 1 x double
R14350 – 7 nights accommodation only
TENT 4
Consists of 2x 3/4 beds
R8750 – 7 nights accommodation only
TENT 5
Consists of 1 x Double bed
R8750 – 7 nights accommodation only
TENT 6
Consists of 1 x Double
R8750 – 7 nights accommodation only
50% non refundable deposit
Facilities
MEALS ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
- 6 x Free standing, luxury safari style tents with en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning and bar fridge.
- Guest are able to purchase braai packs, basic food necessities, wood, ice, cold drinks, bottled water and basic toiletries.
- The bathrooms are built with stones collected from the local area.
- Each tent is surrounded with grass and incorporated with local stones.
- There are 2 x Boma Self-Catering kitchens
- “Tiki Bar” & Deck Entertainment area with 180 deg views over the Namibian Mountains and the Orange River.
Cancellation Policies:
Less than 7 days before check-in: NO REFUND
More than 14 days before check-in: 25% deposit refund
More than 30 days before check-in: 50% deposit refund
OTHER ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS THAT CAN BE BOOKED BY YOURSELF
3. Kwelanga River Lodge
https://www.kwelangariverlodge.com
Camping & Chalets –They are next door to Frontier River Resorts
4. Bushwacked
Camping and Glamping
Current prices (2022)
Camping – R120 pppn
Glamping – R500 per unit (double)- Single R450
5. Richtersveld Wilderness Camp
Camping
Current prices (2022)
R200 pppn
To Book the Richtersveld Adventure and Art Retreat 2023 : R2000 deposit & deposits on accommodation
Balance of package payable on 1 May 2023
Cancellation Policy of the Richtersveld Adventure and Art Retreat 2023:
60 days or less before start of retreat – forfeit deposit unless I can find someone to take your place.
31 days or less before retreat – forfeit 100% of package unless I can find someone to take your place.
TO BOOK YOUR PLACE PLEASE EMAIL ME – courses@sharonkuisis.com OR Whatsapp me on 0763530330
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