Drawing Naturally
with Linda Weil
19–25 September 2027
5 days tuition | Graphite, Watercolour Pencil, Ink & Organic Stains | All Levels
A five-day immersive nature drawing retreat with Linda Weil, combining careful observation, plein air sketching, nature journalling and refined studio drawing.
Residential retreat at Greenhills Art Centre, Western Australian Wheatbelt
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5 Days Tuition
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Graphite & Watercolour Pencil
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Nature Journalling & Drawing
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All Levels Welcome
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Maximum 12 Participants
Drawing Naturally
Reflect, learn and experience the wonder of the natural world during this five-day nature drawing workshop. Our week will include plein air sessions and the creation of a nature journal, where you'll record your observations and experiences in pencil, coloured pencil or ink. Studio sessions follow as you learn advanced techniques to take your graphite drawings from preliminary sketches into refined and creative drawings. Plants, flowers, animals, insects, rocks, bark… all are fascinating subjects for your nature studies. You can expect to take home a nature journal filled with your observations as well as at least one larger A3 graphite study of a natural object of your choice.
During the Retreat You’ll Explore
Nature Journalling
Learn how to use a sketchbook as a visual journal, recording observations, discoveries and details from the natural world.
Plein Air Drawing
Spend time outside drawing directly from nature, developing confidence in observing and sketching in the field.
Graphite Drawing
Explore graphite in greater depth, moving from preliminary sketches through to more refined and detailed drawings.
Watercolour Pencil
Discover how watercolour pencils can be used both dry and wet to add subtle colour and atmosphere to your drawings.
Ink & Line
Experiment with fineliner and ink as a way of recording structure, detail and texture.
Organic Stains
Create and work with natural dyes and stains made from everyday organic materials, adding another layer of colour and experimentation to your drawings.
Observation & Detail
Develop your ability to notice the small things — shape, texture, pattern, growth, decay, structure and surface.
From Sketch to Finished Work
Learn how to develop an initial observation or sketch into a more resolved and considered drawing.
Your Five Days with Linda
Day One
Materials, Techniques & Organic Dyes
Studio session exploring your materials and experimenting with organic dyes, followed by observational drawing in ink and organic dye using a found object.
Day Two
Plein Air Nature Journalling
Seeing the detail: imagine you are a naturalist exploring the area for the first time, recording your discoveries.
Day Three
Zoom In, Zoom Out
Plein air nature journalling — sketching wildlife in the field, including birds, insects and other subjects.
Day Four
Studio Drawing
Return to the studio and develop a more detailed graphite pencil drawing of a found natural object.
Using the observations and techniques explored earlier in the retreat, you’ll work more slowly and carefully, building structure, tone, texture and detail.
Day Five
Completing Your Drawings
The final day is devoted to studio work and completing your drawings.
Please note: the course will be responsive to the interests of the group. If participants would like more or less time in the studio or outdoors, Linda will adjust the programme accordingly.
Your Retreat Schedule
Sunday 19 September
Arrive at Greenhills from 4pm, settle into your room and meet Linda and your fellow participants before dinner.
Monday 20 September
Day One — Materials, Techniques & Organic Dyes
Tuesday 21 September
Day Two — Plein Air Nature Journalling
Wednesday 22 September
Day Three — Zoom In, Zoom Out
Thursday 23 September
Day Four — Studio Drawing
Friday 24 September
Day Five — Completing Your Drawings
Friday Evening — Dinner at Lake Kimberley Bar & Grill
On Friday evening, we'll head to nearby Lake Kimberley Bar & Grill at Whitegum Farm for a relaxed final dinner together.
Friday dinner and drinks are not included in the retreat price and are paid directly by guests at the restaurant.
Saturday 25 September
Breakfast followed by departure.
About Linda Weil
With over 40 years as a professional artist, Linda’s practice explores a wide range of drawing mediums, with graphite, coloured pencil and inks remaining the preferred tools. Works focus on wildlife, nature studies and found objects, combining precision with a deep appreciation for detail.
Recent works return to the imaginative and fantastical, blending natural history with mechanical influences. Biomechanical visions, animal textures, reimagined folk tales and the hidden stories within everyday objects become recurring themes.
The artist incorporates subtle touches of coloured pencil, watercolour washes and organic stains into her graphite and ink works. The drawings explore the space where realism and imagination meet, inviting viewers to discover new stories within every line and shadow.
The Greenhills Experience — More than a Workshop
A retreat at Greenhills is designed to give you something difficult to find in everyday life — uninterrupted time to make art.
Your stay includes comfortable private accommodation in our historic homestead, meals and refreshments at Greenhills apart from Friday dinner, five full days of tuition with Linda and access to our large dedicated art studio.
With no daily travel, cooking or household distractions, your time can simply revolve around drawing, learning, exploring, sharing meals and enjoying the company of a small group of fellow artists.
Greenhills and the surrounding Wheatbelt also provide plenty of natural inspiration for journalling and observational drawing.
Your Retreat Includes
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six nights private accommodation at Greenhills Art Centre
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five full days tuition with Linda Weil
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all meals and refreshments at Greenhills, except Friday dinner
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morning and afternoon tea
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studio access throughout your stay
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plein air drawing and nature journalling sessions
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welcome dinner on arrival
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all linen and towels
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a maximum of 12 participants
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airport transfers where applicable.
On Friday evening, the group will dine at Lake Kimberley Bar & Grill at Whitegum Farm. Friday dinner and drinks are at guests' own expense.
Who Should Attend?
This retreat is suitable for artists of all experience levels.
You do not need to be an experienced drawer or nature journal artist.
Linda’s teaching is adaptable and individual, allowing participants to work at a level appropriate to their experience and interests.
The retreat will particularly suit artists who would like to:
develop stronger observational drawing skills
begin or expand a nature journal practice
work directly from the natural world
improve graphite drawing techniques
explore watercolour pencil and ink
experiment with organic stains and natural colour
develop drawings from quick sketches into more resolved works
slow down and reconnect with nature through drawing.
Materials
Participants will work with a range of drawing materials during the retreat.
A full materials list will be sent to participants before the retreat.
Linda also notes that if you already own additional drawing materials — such as standard coloured pencils, watercolours, graphite pencils or fountain pens — you are welcome to bring them along.
Your Retreat
$2,980 per person — private room
Price includes GST
Your retreat includes six nights private accommodation, five full days tuition with Linda, all meals and refreshments at Greenhills except Friday dinner, and studio access throughout your stay.
A 20% deposit secures your place. The full balance is due eight weeks before the retreat. Monthly payment plans are available by prior arrangement.
Coming with a friend?
Save 10% each when sharing one of our limited twin rooms, subject to availability.
Twin Share — $2,682 per person
Independent Stay Option
For participants who live locally or prefer to arrange their own nearby accommodation, a limited number of Independent Stay places are available, subject to availability.
You'll still join us for tuition, meals and refreshments at Greenhills, studio access and the social side of the retreat — you simply arrange your own accommodation or bring an approved self-contained caravan or motorhome.
Independent Stay — $2,260 per person
Price includes GST.
Friday dinner and drinks at Lake Kimberley Bar & Grill at Whitegum Farm are at guests' own expense for all accommodation options.
Spend Five Days Drawing Naturally with Linda Weil
Five days of tuition.
A small group.
Nature journalling, plein air drawing and focused studio time.
No everyday distractions.
Just time to look closely, draw, experiment and rediscover the extraordinary detail in the natural world.
19–25 September 2027
Places are limited to 12 participants.
BOOK YOUR PLACE
Book Your Greenhills Retreat
Complete the form below and we'll send your deposit invoice to secure your place.