September 20, 2008 · 1 Comment
I woke up to some long awaited rain this morning but with a definite bite in the air. then I found out why, THERE’S SNOW IN KZN.
Here is the report from the East Coast Radio News Blog
KwaZulu-Natalians in the Drakensberg and Midlands have woken up to a winter wonderland this morning. Check out some of the photos we’ve received… There’s been heavy snowfall overnight, and it was still falling this morning. Areas that have received snow, include Underberg, Nottingham Road, Balgowan and other parts of the Midlands and ‘Berg. Kokstad, Matatiele, Cedarville and the Swatberg areas have also been dressed in a white blanket. If you’re travelling towards Kokstad, the Transport Department’s urging motorists to be very careful as there’s heavy snowfall there. Below, some photos courtesy of the Pile-Inn B&B, Underberg.
You see, we can offer you absollutely everything in this province of ours.
Join us and paint your way around this beautful and varied place
Categories: Uncategorized
September 18, 2008 · 2 Comments
Today Gill Van Wyk a South African art teacher, artist and tutor to South African Painting Holidays explains why she likes to do her Watercolour Painting en situ.
Gill says, issues such as changing light, people moving in and out of the scene and weather are a few of the aspects that one does not have to contend with when painting in ones studio or indoors wherever you normally work.
Painting out of doors poses new challenges to most amateur and
some professional artists. When working outdoors it is important to realise that you need to work fairly quickly and that what you achieve is not always the finished product.
Working outdoors needs simplification, but you needn’t be an experienced artist to enjoy the experience and certainly everyone can benefit from the joy of being outdoors and observing your surroundings in more detail on a totally different level to how you usually do.
Gill says she certainly gathers a sense of spiritual connection with her surroundings that never happens when only seeing a place in photographic form.
One of her favorite places to paint en situ is in the African bush where she goes to whenever possible. You can join her on one of her
Painting Holidays and enjoy some fun painting experiences with her!
I found this great painting tip from Sue Dickinson
Working with watercolour Try to avoid painting with your paper lying flat on a table. Rather tilt your paper about 25 degrees. This prevents the paint from making puddles when the paper is flat, and prevents wet paint from running down the paper when the paper is vertical. Unless, of course, you want this to happen!
Check out Sue’s demonstration on of her painting a leopard here
Categories: Drawing · art · painting holiday · south africa · travel · visual art
Tagged: en situ, painting, painting holidays, plein air, travel, watercolour painting, watercolour painting holidays
In South Africa, Arbor Day was first celebrated in 1983. The event captured the imagination of people who recognized the need for raising awareness of the value of trees in our society.
Trees play a vital role in the health and well-being of our communities as a source of building material, food, medicine, and simple scenic beauty. Collective enthusiasm inspired the government to extend the celebration of Arbor Day to National Arbor Week. So every year from 1 to 7 September schools, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate in community “greening” events.
2008 TREES OF THE YEAR
The Wild Plum is the common “tree of the year”. It is an attractive garden tree good for attracting birds and butterflies into the garden. The tasty plum-like fruits are enjoyed by , monkeys amongst other animals, birds and people who often use them for making jams and jellies. With their sour taste, they also make a good rosé wine.
Wild Plum
The bark is a popular traditional medicine. It is used to treat acne and eczema, and is usually applied in the form of facial saunas and skin washes. Powdered burnt bark is used to treat sprains and bone fractures. Bark is also used for dyeing, and it gives a mauve or pink color.
One of the rare trees of the year is the Bladdernut. The berries are enclosed in inflated papery structures that give this tree its common name of Bladdernut. The berries attract fruit eating birds.
Just a couple of the different trees you can see if you visit South Africa. Come on a painting holiday and you can cheerfully sketch or paint the trees while sitting out in the bush plein air! Wonderful!
Sources: KZN Wildlife Rhino Club
Categories: Drawing · art · painting holiday · photography · south africa · travel · visual art
Tagged: painting, painting holidays, travel, trees
