I have kept this page active to give you an idea of our Bali Session pre Covid. All has changed! However lets hope it can happen again one day!
Portrait and Life Drawing in Bali!
March/April 2020 With Peter Efford
Tuesday 24th March until Wednesday 1st April 2020
[Depart Perth Monday 23rd, return Thursday 2nd April]
Join us for a fabulous 9 days [10 nights] of creative adventure in and around the beautiful art and cultural centre of Ubud in Bali. We stay in the village of Silungan at Pondok Saraswati, a long established comfortable Australian/Balinese garden retreat for artists located overlooking rice fields, 15 minutes from central Ubud. [Saraswati is the Goddess of wisdom and the arts] info at www.pondoksaraswativillasubud.com/ Pondok Saraswati has a 4.5 star Trip Advisor rating. It has a pool, WiFi, bar fridges, spacious rooms and verandahs. Great service.
Here we will hold our studio drawing/painting sessions every morning. As well we will meet local artists, visit galleries and participate in cultural events, enjoy authentic local home cooked dishes, make new friends, enjoy markets, massage and restaurants, or simply just hang out, but mostly to draw and paint. Limited to maximum 5 artists, this is a wonderful opportunity to give yourself a completely creative indulgence. You can experience very special Balinese hospitality, guided by Peter who has been taking art groups to Bali twice a year since 2004. The focus is on studio based portrait/life drawing and some landscape, with coaching provided by Peter if you would like it, or are a beginner. Peter was for 30 years, a Senior Lecturer in Design and Drawing at Curtin University.
Preferred flight: Jetstar JQ110 depart Perth for Denpasar 7.25am Monday 23rd March 2020
Peter is booked on this flight. Jetstar is currently advertising this return flight for $290, but this can vary depending on when it is booked. This flight will be serviced with pickup transport at shared cost. Add $35 transfer one way if you choose another flight. Avoid late night arrival as it adds further to your transport costs. Your return flight depends on whether you wish to stay on in Bali. Suggested return flight is JQ 117 Departing Denpaser 8.40 am Thursday 2nd April. Peter stays on to pack up.
Program Program varies to fit the needs of participants. Studio is available at all times.
Monday 23rd
Arrive and pickup from Airport. Stop for a beachside lunch in Sanur, Arrive Pondok by 3pm.
Tuesday 24th
Studio day, getting started, studio set up and equipment check. Life drawing and proportion with model Agung, afternoon visit to Ubud, change money, orientation etc. Dinner in Ubud
Wednesday 25th
Nyepi silent day in compound, portraiture in the Garden. Bali is quiet everywhere.
Thursday 26th
Studio Portrait with local model, possible landscape afternoon depending on weather.
Friday 27th .
Studio portrait drawing at Pondok. Visit local Ubud Art Museum and/or attend Kecak Dance
Saturday 28th
Visit and draw at Pranoto Gallery in Ubud/Goa Gajah 10am until 1pm. Local lunch.
Sunday 29th
Visit the Arma Balinese Cultural Centre, dance and Gamalan orchestra teaching for children. We draw Balinese model in traditional costume in a garden setting with Arma Art Group
Monday 30th
Early morning visit and draw Water Temple at Sebatu in the highlands
Tuesday 31st
Special portrait session with Agung.
Wednesday 1st
Visit and draw at Pranoto Gallery in Ubud/Goa Gajah 10am until 1pm. Local lunch.
Late afternoon show and tell. Farewell dinner.
Thursday 2nd
Return Perth early am or extend your visit.
Costs.
Artists; $2000.
Accompanying, shared accommodation, non participating partner/friend add $700.
Artist couple, ie both participating in program, $3600 for both. [Covers 10 nights self contained accommodation ie, bedroom, garden bathroom and living area with garden and rice field views, all breakfasts, tuition as requested, cost of models, paper, general equipment, most materials, entry into galleries, workshops.]
A non refundable deposit of $400 per person booking fee is required to confirm booking. Additional cancelation costs apply to cover unused accommodation from two months prior to departure.
Not included
Airfares and insurance. We arrange, but not included in cost; airport pickup, local transport, lunch, dinners, drinks as decided with the group. [Lunch at Pondok averages $6, dinner $13. In Ubud, restaurants, dinner [2 courses] around $17. Small beer about $3, glass of wine $5. Airport/Ubud transfer is $35 but usually this can be shared. We have our own 8 seater air con people carrier, shared Ubud/return $4 per person. Can vary if waiting is included.. Exchange averages Rp100,000 to AUD$10 so prices are very reasonable.
About Pondok Saraswati
Established in 1992, the buildings are traditional open Bali style. Peter is a founder member of the Pondok group. There is no air con because of cool rice field breezes and Ubud’s elevation. There is an electric kettle in your bungalow for provided tea and coffee, plus bar fridge with soft drinks and beer, tonic and soda water. It is cheaper to buy your spirits [gin etc] duty free at Perth Airport. You are allowed to bring 1 litre into Indonesia. There is a safe water fountain in each Bungalow. All garden bathrooms have hot showers, towels and toilet. Pondok has an excellent in house laundry service, around 70cents per garment. Bedrooms are really comfortable [mosquito proofed 4 poster beds reading lamps etc] large spaces adjoined by an outdoor verandah living room with day bed, dining table and stunning views across the rice fields. Your rooms are cleaned and made up daily. There is a great pool, WiFi, security boxes and library.
The Studio and What to bring.
Bring your own specialist materials. Do not bring oil paints because of airline security. We provide boards, good quality A1 drawing paper and range of easels and a large range of materials, pastel, acrylics, side tables etc. There is a good art shop in our village. The studio is a typical Balinese Balai, 25 square metre open space, well ventilated, plus ceiling fan. It comfortably takes 6 Artists. There are light white curtains for privacy if needed. We work in the cool morning but can use the space all day. We stack artworks for a later show and tell. Peter wraps your drawings for safe transport home.
Pack light, cotton clothing, shoulder covering shirt or blouse for visiting sacred areas, sarong, swimmers, walking shoes, one casual trendy garment for night time outings. Blokes just need shorts and few tops. Check Australian Customs website for prohibited on board items. Pack smart lite, it is cheaper and free carry on is 7 kg. This is plenty for what we will be doing. If you intend to shop and need more baggage coming home pre-book hold luggage for the return. Ubud in late March is cool at night, average 23/33 degrees at the end of the rainy season, OK in the morning when we are in the studio. There is mosquito protection in every room and out of doors. It is not a malaria area.
For further information and to make a booking, contact Peter.
email peter@lifedrawing.com.au www.lifedrawing.com.au
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The verandah where we eat
