Spend four days sketching the iconic wildlife and landscapes of East Africa with Art Safari tutor Julia Cassels.

On this virtual safari in Kenya, one of the world’s great safari destinations, we will visit the Maasai Mara, Samburu and Lake Nakuru, areas so very different in their geography, vegetation and wildlife.

The Great Rift Valley cuts through Kenya and creates a backdrop for the most extraordinary wildlife.  Julia’s love of this part of Africa began a long time ago, and she will talk to you about her experiences there while painting.  The wildebeest migration in the Mara is the most impressive in the world.  You can also expect to meet Maasai warriors, watch amazing African wildlife and see timeless red sunsets.

Julia’s loose technique is a joy to watch.  She is a very relaxed and generous tutor to learn from.

Many artists have painted in Kenya, and Julia will show you the work of some of her favourite artists in order to further inspire you further during power point presentations.  We can learn so much from seeing the work of others.  Whether out in the bush for real or now on our computers and i-pads in a virtual world, Kenya will influence every artist who works there.

We are looking forward to welcoming you there.

We will meet three times for demos on painting people and wildlife, as well exercises to stretch your ways of seeing.

We will have the chance to draw from stills and video footage and learn the techniques of a wildlife artist. With art demonstrations, interaction and tales from the bush Julia will show you how she tackles various species – including perhaps Tommy gazelle, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, acacia trees, elephant and or course Flamingos!  Even using photos she will show you how to make your sketches lively and loose.

In between your painting sessions Julia will give you exercises and tasks to help your technique for drawing moving animals.

We will give you some varied Kenyan recipes to try out between your painting sessions.

Learning via Zoom is highly concentrated and productive.  It allows you to delve into technique and imagination.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

All sessions start at 2pm GMT

Day 1: Meet Julia and the Art Safari team on Zoom for three hours of art demonstration and tuition time, which includes advice on sketching wildlife.

Julia includes a slide talk on Kenya and about some of the artists who have painted there. Julia shows examples of her own sketches from Kenya.

You will have the option to paint from a variety of images to suit your taste from a library of photos you will receive as part of the course package.

You have time in between session to complete your work and submit images of your paintings for feedback on our private Facebook group or by email.

Day 2: We meet again the following afternoon to tackle a second painting through the same process.

Day 3: The third day is free for you to paint all day.

Day 4: We hold a slightly shorter final meeting (around 2hrs) to review and share your work and insights from the course.

The workshop will be recorded so you will be able to watch the video online afterwards.

It’s going to be a fun and highly informative safari!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• A laptop, Macbook, PC, iPad or tablet
• An assortment of paint brushes, suitable for your medium in different shapes and sizes

Julia will work in watercolour but you may use any medium – she often works with Winsor Lemon, Indian Yellow, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson, Pthalo Turquoise, Cobalt Blue, French Ultramarine, & Vandyke Brown. This course isn’t specifically about colour, so just use colours you are familiar with and those you already have.  You are welcome to work in oils or pastel.

• Watercolour paper, canvas or canvas boards, up to A2 size or 16 x 20” you will need at least 4.
• Cartridge paper, up to A2 size or 16 x 20” you will need at least 10.
• Sketchbook/notebook and pen (there’s LOTS of ideas and stuff to write down!)
• Pencils and brushes (Julia tends to use a B or 2B mechanical pencil, and for brushes – sable rounds No.8 & 16, and a hake or large brush or sponge to wet the paper)
• Kitchen towel
• Easel/table easel or other means of holding your canvas/paper at an angle (watercolour) / vertically (oil)
• Paint palette
• Masking fluid
• Jars for water or solvent (if you use it)