2025 Klein Karoo Art Retreat 12-20 March – FULLY BOOKED

Are you tired of the same old routine? Ready for a thrilling escape? Join me in the mesmerizing Klein Karoo for an unforgettable Art Adventure!

This Exclusive Art Retreat & Workshop is based in the Klein Karoo on the 4 Star Oaksrest Vineyard Guest Farm situated at the foothills of Towerkop in the beautiful Dwarsriver Valley in the Klein Swartberg near Ladismith.

https://www.oaksrest.com

The surrounding area is one which I have explored extensively by car and motorcycle including the magnificent Seweweekspoort Pass and the Klein Swartberg Mountains, so I know all the hidden gems!

What’s in Store:

You will learn how to capture your experiences with Pen & Ink and Watercolour using the surrounding mountainous scenery, old buildings and plants & flowers for inspiration in your handmade Travel Journal filled with watercolour paper, and we will also explore the exciting world of botanical printing. I will be giving demos on the different techniques & you will also have some time to yourself to relax…

What else can you expect:

Cosy 4 star accommodation for an authentic Karoo experience.

Savour local delicacies and farm-fresh cuisine

Local Wines

Endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation

Your Escape Awaits! Book your journey to the Klein Karoo today and leave the ordinary behind…

courses@sharonkuisis.com

0763530330

Itinerary

Day 1 – 12th March

2pm – 6pm Arrive and settle in

7pm Dinner – Introductions

Day 2 – 13th March

8am Breakfast

9.30 am Introduction to Travel journalling – Pen & Ink techniques – using dipping pens and nibs, and micron pens – learn to capture what you see and how to create textures.

Afternoon Free & decorate journals

6.30 pm Dinner

Day 3 – 14th March

8am Breakfast

9.30am Essential Colour Mixing with Watercolours capturing the colours of the area

Lunch

2.30 Essential Watercolour techniques & creating textures

6.30pm Dinner

Day 4 – 15th March

8am Breakfast

9.30am Learn how to capture atmospheric perspective – Sketching and painting Towerkop

Afternoon Free

6.30pm Dinner

Day 5 – 16th March

8am Breakfast

Day of contemplation – day to yourself to explore the Seweweekspoort Pass, paint and draw, talk a walk or just relax

6.30pm Dinner

Day 6 – 17th March

8am Breakfast

9am Meet up and drive to an old building and use your new skills to practice what you have learnt

Lunch for own account in Ladismith

6.30pm Dinner

Day 7 – 18th March

8am Breakfast

9.30 am Full day – Botanical Printing – Cyanotype

6.30 pm Dinner

Day 8 – 19th March

8am Breakfast

9.30am Gel Printing

Finishing off of artworks and decorating journals

Day 9 – 20th March

8am Breakfast and say our goodbyes

NB -Itinerary may change slightly from day to day.

Costs

There will be a maximum of 8 tuition places available.

Single – R18900.00

Sharing – R17300.00

Includes:

Accommodation for 8 nights, light breakfast and Dinners

6 days Tuition

Daniel Smith Professional Watercolours & colour chart

Half pans

Watercolour Travel Tin

Set of Micron pens

Pencil & Eraser

Bespoke Handmade Leather Travel Journals

Cotton bag with Art Goodies

Materials for Botanical Printing – Gel plates & Cyanotype Paper

Information Booklet

Excludes:

Car hire and flights, drinks, gratuities, lunches

Payment Scedule:

To Book R2000.00 deposit

1st September 50 % deposit on accommodation ( Single R4200/ Sharing R3400)

1st December R5000

1st February 2025 Balance Payable

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellation Policy of the Klein Karoo Art Retreat:

60 days or less before start of retreat – forfeit R6000 deposit and deposit on accommodation unless I can find someone to take your place

31 days or less before retreat – forfeit 100% of full package unless I can find someone to take your place.

I will be flying down to George from Gauteng. If you want to share cost of vehicle hire with me, let me know.

Accommodation

Oaksrest Vineyard and Guest Farm

https://www.oaksrest.com

Pinotage Farmhouse

The tastefully decorated Pinotage Farmhouse accommodates up to 9 guests. The House with its rich History as former School in the Dwarsrivier valley is very spacious.

There are 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms (2 with En-suite Bathrooms and Air Conditioning)

Room 1 – King-size Bed & On Suite Bathroom and Air Conditioning

Room 2 – Queen size bed & On Suite Bathroom and Air Conditioning

Room 3 – Queen size bed – Separate bathroom

Room 4 – Queen size bed and ¾ bed – Separate bathroom

The linen is white 100% cotton percale and the towels are white, thick and fluffy.

The kitchen is fully equipped with all cooking requirements as well as a stove with oven, microwave oven, a fridge-freezer, dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. a Fireplace and electric blankets ensure warm and cosy nights in winter.

Free Wi-Fi is available. The main living room is equipped with a HD TV, DVD Player and DSTV.

The patio with Boma braai facilities completes this magnificent Karoo gem. We supply Firewood as well.

Chenin Blanc Cottage

The Chenin Blanc Cottage is situated on an slight incline of one of the mountains on the farm and therefore has the most awesome views across the Valley, Swartberg Mountain’s and of Towerkop.

The Cottage can accommodate up to 8 guests and has two bedrooms and a loft with 4 single beds

Room 1 – Queen size bed & On Suite Bathroom

Room 2 – 2 off ¾ beds & On Suite Bathroom

The Kitchen is fully equipped with a gas stove, microwave oven and fridge freezer, the living room have a HDTV with DSTV. For the cold winter evenings the Cottage has a built in stove to keep you warm and cosy.

Free WiFi is available.

The deck area has a built in braai and near the cottage is a nice Boma braai area against the mountain side. We supply firewood as well.

Crimson Cottage ( Booked)

The tastefully decorated Crimson Cottage can accommodate 2 people and has an old workers house charm with a modern twist. The Cottage has a open plan layout with en-suit bathroom and an indoor fireplace and a outside build in braai on the Patio.

There is a HDTV with DSTV and DVD with Free WIFI, Air Conditioning and your Queen sized bed have an electric blanket on for the cold winter evenings with 100% Cotton Percale linen and thick and fluffy towels are included.

The Kitchenette is fully equipped for self catering with an Convection Micro wave oven and Fridge Freezer, The modern bathroom have a nice big bathtub and shower with the most awesome views on the mountains.

The Cottage is situated on the slight incline of the mountain and have the most beautiful views of the Valley with Vineyards and the Swartberg Mountain. Just sit on the Patio area and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Klein Karoo.

ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION

Koedoeskloof Guest Farm – 3.5km down the road

http://koedoeskloof.co.za/

Standard King/Twin

On suite bathroom with a shower .It has its own coffee station with plunger coffee and tea so that you can enjoy the spectacular view of Towerkop from your window. It is decorated in rich reds and the decor accentuates the simplicity of the surrounds. It has its own entrance with lockable door and1 is connected to the Main house via an extended veranda. Ten (10) steps lead to the veranda which makes the room unsuitable for persons with walking difficulties

Standard Double

The corner room has its own private entrance and courtyard with 180-degree views of the mountains behind as well as Towerkop. It has a double bed and an en suite bathroom consisting of a bath, loo and washbasin. NO SHOWER. It is decorated in a clean open style that reflects the surrounding landscape beautifully. It has its own plunger coffee and tea station that allows you to make a warm cuppa and enjoy the views from the comfort of your own terrace. This room is connected to the main annexe. Three steep steps lead to the path which leads to the room which makes it unsuitable for persons with walking difficulties. No self-catering option.

Comfort King/Twin

This bright and beautiful room is a personal favourite with windows on three sides offering views of all of the surrounds. It’s decorated in bright Mozambican greens and offers twin or a king size bed as well as an en suite bathroom with shower, loo and washbasin. It has its own plunger coffee and tea station with 180-degree views of the mountains and Towerkop beyond. It has its own entrance with lockable door and is connected to the Main house via an extended veranda. Ten (10) steps lead to the veranda which makes the room unsuitable for persons with walking difficulties. No self-catering option.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

TO BOOK – please ask me for a registration form

Sharon Kuisis

0824655179