Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Hobart

I recently visited the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in Hobart, which is 200 years old this year.

The weather was perfect, with clear blue skies and a few fluffy clouds, very warm with a light breeze. It could not have been better for my first experience of the gardens.

The bridge over the lily pond

The Subantartic Plant House

The Fernery

I left no stone unturned, and with my map in hand I explored every feature and every garden. There was the Chinese Collection, the Japanese Garden, the Subantarctic Plant House, the Conservatory and more.

The Conservatory on left

Me in the conservatory

There were cacti gardens, a fernery, a eucalyptus section, the Lily Pond and more.

And I could not resist buying a wonderful memento of my visit there, a lovely flowering gum canister.

I would highly recommend his unique and historical garden for all to visit.

Colour Mix and Match Workshop

Although it can be a tedious exercise to paint colour charts, it is worth its weight in gold once completed. It takes the guesswork out of 'what colour/s will I use?'

I begin these workshops with demonstrations on how to paint the colours in the appropriate sections. This teaches how much water and paint to use, how to dilute colours and brush control. 

So there are a lot of skills rolled into one workshop.

Students working on the colour charts

I teach my Sydney workshops at WEA which is right in the city. The amenities are excellent, including fantastic light, ergonomic chairs, whiteboard and projection facilities and access to water and drawing boards.

Beginning the Orange Colour chart

For these charts I use 6 primary colours - red, yellow and blue in both warm and cool tones. I discuss how to also incorporate other colours to broaden the 450 colours made on their three charts. The dilutions are very important as they are another colour and easily demonstrate whether the colour is warm or cool.

Once the green charts are finished, the students match various green leaves to the colours they have made on the charts. Then they can paint the leaves. More class and individual demonstrations.

One of my demonstrations

Some finished charts

After more charts are completed the students can match a flower or other subject they have brought in.

It was a really enjoyable and successful workshop and enjoyed by all.