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South Africa Wildlife Art Course
If you have a passion for Art and would like the opportunity to observe wildlife in their natural surroundings, learn the techniques required for capturing these images and unlock your artistic talent, then this is the project for you!
Set within a private game farm you will be taking part in an exclusive and varied wildlife art course. The programme is structured to enable you to appreciate the miracles of creation in the South African bush and to unleash the creative artist within.
Project Age limit
Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants’ health.
The Wildlife Art Course
The course is geared towards a relaxed outdoor life style where people and wildlife mix freely. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet different people from different cultures and share their art styles, thoughts, ideas and experiences.
The Wildlife art course is for anyone with a keen interest in art and caters for all levels of experience. The emphasis is on offering a unique African Bush experience where the focus will be on:
• Observing wildlife in their natural surroundings
• Capturing images on paper
• Exercises developing and improving skills
• Developing the creative instinct During the course you will use a number of mediums, which include pencil, ink, charcoal and watercolours.
During your programme you will also periodically have the chance to work with the horses to further develop your artistic skills and occasionally there will be outrides into the bush and the horses are used for the extensive studies of movement of other animals.
The course is made up of various components, and these consist of the following:
• An introduction to the bush - the identification of animal and plant species, game drives and bush walks.
• A foundation course – a series of exercises to ‘see’ differently; discover a new visual language, new ideas and true creativity. Exercises in this new discipline are ongoing throughout the course.
• The anatomy and movements of animals.
• Colour – as though seeing it for the first time.
• Drawing and releasing the artist within.
• Discussions and fun activities.
• Trips to Big 5 reserves and local places of interest, to inspire and express your individual style. There are various tutorial sessions or activities included in the programme, these may include:
• Exercises: Various daily exercises to improve and develop skills.
• Bush walks: Learn more about animals, their movements, communication and habits Drawing different objects whilst out in the bush.
• Game drives: Appreciation of the well known along with the seemingly insignificant creatures and plants of our bush.
• Lectures: Interesting facts on animals, trees and birds
• Formal lessons: Still life, animal anatomy, movement and paintings
• Colour: As if seeing it for the first time
• Discussion sessions: Talking about everyone’s unique styles and experiences.
• Art history: From cave art to the modern artists
• Different mediums & techniques: Learn to draw in pencil, ink pen, charcoal and water colours Project Support
Throughout your stay in South Africa you will have the full support of Millie, the course manager and also her team of assistants. You will be provided with competent support, training and assistance will all queries whilst on the course as well as help with booking optional excursions.
This course allows a maximum number of 6 volunteers. This ensures that you will receive very good support within a small group and receive much one-to-one help from your tutor. In addition you will have access to a 24 hour emergency contact number so you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.
Please note: A full kit and equipment list will be provided in your pre-departure pack upon booking your programme. Some basic art equipment will be provided on the course, but most of your art materials need to be purchased in the UK before you leave. Please note that materials are expensive and difficult to find in Hoedspruit.
Project Orientation
Upon your arrival at the project, you will be taken around the camp and also receive a welcome meal, giving you ample time to get to know your team and fellow course mates. This will be a great opportunity for you to raise any questions you may have and also find out more about your programme.
Accommodation and Meals
The accommodation at the project is really special – a rustic bush lodge! You will be staying in elevated, timber and thatched cabins, sharing with another course mate. The camp is set in a riverine area. You will awaken each morning to the different sights, sounds and smells of the bush – beautiful sunrises from your bedroom window, birds and lions calling, insects buzzing and the wonderful presence of the bush.
The showers and western-style toilets are located close to the rooms. They are open-air structures with running water – hot water is supplied by fire “geysers”. Taking a shower under the stars contributes to the overall African experience. The art sessions take place either on a decked area with a thatched roof and open sides in the camp or we take our easels and chairs out into the bush.
The communal chill out area is a thatched lounge/kitchen/bar and dining area. Here you can prepare your lunches and relax. When it’s really warm cool off in the quaint plunge pool. For those of you keen on game viewing, there is a hide overlooking a waterhole close to the camp where you can sit and watch the animals in your free time for the ultimate tranquillity. Enjoy the evenings relaxing around the fire with a cold drink and snacks.
All your meals are provided. Breakfast is normally continental style. Volunteers prepare their own lunches. The evening meals are usually anything from traditional African cuisine to lasagne!
Please Note: There is no electricity at the camp: Solar lighting, gas and paraffin lanterns are used. You will most likely find the rustic lifestyle really peaceful and enjoyable – especially at night when the camp is turned into ‘fairy land’ by the paraffin lanterns.
For Further information or to secure your place on this course, please contact the Africa team today on 01892 516164 or email us at Africa@realgap.co.uk
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