Capertee 7 or 5 Day Painting Retreat Information

Guided Artist Retreat

Where the Painting Residency Starts

The first day of your residency begins anytime from 9 am at Capertee Mountain View Artist Retreat. You’re welcome to come and settle in, then get straight into painting or exploring in the area. The first mentoring session will take place in the afternoon in the communal painting studio.

Capertee Mountain View Retreats is located at Nguluway, 1 Port Macquarie Rd, Bogee, in the Capertee Valley. Detailed directions can be found here.

Please note that there is limited mobile reception through the valley, so download the directions in advance. Generally, there is good coverage on site during the retreat.

What’s Included in Your 7-day Stay?

  • Daily small-group mentoring — teaching, demonstration, critique and problem-solving

  • 4 × 30-minute individual mentoring sessions — focused attention on your own work, goals and development (2 if you stay 5 days)

  • Feedback Circles — peer reviews designed to build confidence and awareness

  • Independent practice — where all of that gets tested and absorbed

  • Flexible locations — paint in the Woolshed studio, outdoors around the property, or travel into the Capertee Valley, Wollemi or Capertee National Parks to paint en plein air.

  • Accommodation at Capertee Mountain View Artist Retreat

What to Bring

Food

  • Self-cater in the fully equipped kitchens, cook over the fire or on the BBQ and/or enjoy the local restaurants at Rylstone, Kandos and Glen Alice.

  • Fridges, appliances, cooking utensils and equipment are available in Peppertree Cottage as well as the Hayshed communal kitchen. Each vintage van is also equipped with a fridge and a kettle.

  • Evenings are a highlight, connect with other artists with fireside conversation, food, and drinks.

General Equipment

Bring whatever helps you feel comfortable and creative, including:

  • Journal, pen, and pencil

  • Walking shoes and a rain jacket

  • Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses

  • Warm clothing for cool evenings

  • Backpack and water bottle

  • Sheets and towels (can be provided as an optional extra)

Plein Air Painting Materials and Equipment

As an intermediate or advanced painter, you will have your own preferred colours, techniques and painting setup. You’re encouraged to bring your own favourite materials and any you’d like to experiment and explore with — this residency is the perfect time to try new techniques and tools.

Please note: No turps of any kind is permitted on the farm for the health and safety of everyone. Odourless Solvent may be used in moderation, in well ventilated areas. Coconut or baby oil wash-up for oils is preferred.

A limited number of easels are available for loan for the duration of your stay. Contact Corinne to request one.

For more detail, see Corinne’s article: The Art of Plein Air Painting – a guide to outdoor painting approaches and equipment.

The lists below are just a starting point for plein air painting - please supplement them according to your preference.

  • EQUIPMENT

    • Sketchbook - A4 or larger

    • 7 - 10 Canvases/Boards/or Canvas Paper

    • Easel

    • Brushes

    • Palette knives

    • Palette - A plastic clear document holder or clip board makes a great portable palette

    • Paints

    • Medium - retarder

    • Jar to clean brushes

    • Paper towel/rags

    • Pencils

    • Bulldog Clips

    • Apron

    • Plastic bags for your rags and rubbish

    • Hat

    • Folding chair

    • Small folding table

    • Sunscreen

    • Stanley knife/pencil sharpener

    • Spray bottle

    • Any other art materials you want to work in

    • Bubble wrap, glassine paper, old sheets or boxes to wrap your work for transportation.

  • SOLVENT

    Only Odourless Solvent is allowed on the farm and bring a spare jar to store dirty solvent for reuse and remove from the property when you leave

    MEDIUMS

    The most versatile medium is Liquin. Due to health and safety, the use of other mediums is discouraged.

    EQUIPMENT

    • Sketchbook

    • 7 - 10 Canvases or Boards

    • Easel

    • Brushes - bring a range of sizes and types

    • Palette knives

    • Palette - A plastic clear document holder or clip board makes a great portable palette

    • Paints

    • Odourless Solvent and two glass jars with lids

    • Paper towel/rags

    • Pencils

    • Bulldog Clips

    • Apron

    • Plastic bags for keeping and disposing of dirty rags

    • Hat

    • Folding chair

    • Small folding table

    • Sunscreen

    • Stanley knife/pencil sharpener

    • Any other art materials you may like to use…watercolours etc

    • Bubble wrap, glassine paper, old sheets or boxes to wrap your work for transportation. Please see photos below.

  • PAINT

    Bare minimum:

    • Spectrum Yellow - Art Spectrum brand (AS)

    • Cadmium Red - Shminke brand (Sh)

    • Ultramarine Blue (AS or Sh)

    • Prussian Blue (AS or Sh)

    Useful  extras:

    • Cerulean Blue (AS)

    • Burnt Umber (Sh)

    • Lemon Yellow (AS or Sh)

    Other good brands - Rembrandt, Old Holland, Windsor and Newton, ( W&N have a cheaper student range of ‘Cottman’ watercolours as well as an artist-quality range.)

    PAPER

    100% Cotton paper -  several single sheets or a pad of paper ( 10 sheets minimum) of the size you want - A4 or A3 depending on how quickly you work. We will also be doing some exercises for which you will need paper.

    Good options: Arches 185 gsm or 300 gsm or Saunders Waterford 200 gsm

    ( Heavier weight paper is better, but 185 gsm is fine for small works up to A3)

    Note - good 100% cotton paper is fairly expensive. You might be tempted to get wood pulp paper because it is cheaper. It is much harder to paint on. ( If it doesn’t say 100% cotton, it is most likely wood pulp.)

    BRUSHES

    3 sizes at least

    • Small - about size 3 round

    • Medium - size 8 - 10 round

    • Large -  size 12 round or 3/4 “ inch flat brush

    • HB pencil

    • Kneadable eraser  ( putty rubber )

    • A palette of white plastic  ( or cheap white plastic bowls ) to mix in.

    • Spray bottle

    • Mediums if you prefer

    • Easel

    • Water

    • Jar to clean brushes

    • Paper towel/rags

    • Bulldog Clips

    • Apron

    • Baby wipes

    • Plastic bag for rubbish

    • Hat

    • Folding chair

    • Small folding table

    • Sunscreen

    • Stanley knife/pencil sharpener

    • Any other art materials you want to work in

Plein air painting near Alice Springs

Plein air painting near Alice Springs

A box system I use for storing wet oil paintings on the road.

A box system I use for storing wet oil paintings on the road.

Brush rolls are great to store and protect brushes

Brush rolls are great to store and protect brushes

A plastic document holder that clips closed makes a light-weight and versatile palette

A plastic document holder that clips closed makes a light-weight and versatile palette

Plein air painting near Ormiston Gorge with portable folding table

Plein air painting near Ormiston Gorge with portable folding table

Metal portable plein air painter's easel

Metal portable plein air painter's easel

Types of artist's brushes

Types of artist's brushes

Only Odourless Solvent is allowed on the farm

Only Odourless Solvent is allowed on the farm

Accommodation

Capertee Mountain View Artist Retreat is a place for artists to reconnect with nature and their creativity. The farm offers paddocks to wander, cosy spots to relax, and beautiful, sweeping views to enjoy.

  • We offer comfortable rooms and various styles of accommodation to suit different budgets and preferences.

  • Stay in the farmhouse, in one of our restored vintage vans in the paddocks or even under the stars in your own tent or campervan.

To help keep accommodation costs to a minimum, we ask that you bring your own linen - sheets and towels. If you're travelling from afar or have luggage limitations, feel free to email and we’ll happily make special arrangements for you.

During and at the conclusion of the residency, you are kindly asked to maintain your room and participate in light shared housekeeping and farm tasks around the property. It’s all part of the community spirit that makes this experience so memorable.

Where you’ll sleep

Vintage Vans with Views

  • Stay in one of our delightfully restored and decorated vintage vans — Vera, Camilla, Poppy or Lizzie.

  • Each boasts a comfy double bed, private kitchenette, heating and cooling, outdoor seating, and beautiful paddock views.

  • Enjoy access to shared bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen in the Hayshed, fire pits, the communal studio, and relaxed living areas.

  • Please bring your own double bed sheets and towels

Peppertree Farm Cottage

  • The cottage provides simple but elegant living spaces and bedrooms, a large kitchen, verandahs to catch the morning sun, a hearth for fireside games and conversation, and a spacious dining table for shared meals. Watch the horses and sheep graze and enjoy the mountain views in changing light and weather.

  • Room options include:

    QB with Ensuite

    QB, shared bathroom

    DB, shared bathroom

  • Please bring your own sheets and towels

Paddock Camping

  • Bring your campervan, caravan, or tent and sleep under the stars with 360-degree valley views.

  • You’ll have access to shared bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a communal fire pit, studios, and shared living areas.

Accompanying Partner

If you would like your partner to accompany you at Capertee Mountain View Retreat, while you are on the artist residency, they are welcome to share your accommodation, join us at the fireside and soak up the beautiful surroundings. An additional accommodation/amenities fee is payable. Simply let us know on the booking form, and a separate invoice will be sent.

About The Capertee Valley

The spectacular Capertee Valley, north of Lithgow, is part of the Greater Blue Mountains, NSW, and lies just 185 km from Sydney and 81 km from Mudgee.

It is most easily accessed by car, but you can also take the train to Lithgow on the Blue Mountains Line from Sydney, then connect by coach from Lithgow to Capertee and arrange a pickup to the farm (let us know on your booking form and we’ll contact you to confirm times and cost).

Residents need to consider that the closest supermarket for supplies is in Kandos, which is 27 km from the farm.

Access detailed directions to Capertee Mountain View Artist Retreat here.

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What People Say About the Retreats

  • Retreat participant at Capertee with landscape painting

    Corinne is an excellent teacher - she intuitively knows what each person needs and when.

    She quietly goes round us all and gives that individual attention in a caring and encouraging way with real warmth and authenticity- highly supportive but also makes learning fun. Felt real joy and happiness and the group was highly positive engendered by the attention Corinne had created and the setting. The location meant we were all together and less travelling around so lots of painting productivity! Plus early morning yoga and evening walks. It was very well planned and a lot of care and attention

    Nicky - Springwood

  • Painting student at Capertee Valley retreat

    I loved the timetable - tutorials balanced with practice

    Our painting retreat in Capertee with Corinne was magnificent. The tutorials were highly instructive and met my needs as a beginning hobbyist but also seemed to hit the spot with the experienced artists. Corinne’s calm nature underpinned a beautiful feeling of wonder, discovery and fun.

    Row - Glenbrook

  • Female artist smiling at her painting on easel in Capertee Valley

    I most enjoyed the location and being with like-minded people. It was so well organised, but very chill! I loved the walks, the meditation and the visit to From the Paddock.

    I am so grateful for the whole experience and how much work went into making this an amazing experience. Corinne was extremely well-organised with a great and varied schedule. As well as sharing her own process in great detail, she also delivered some basic skills, which was a good mix for experienced and novice painters. The location is stunning, and I enjoyed painting at From the Paddock in the shearing shed.

    Carol - Brisbane

  • Woman in red standing painting outdoors at Capertee Valley Retreat

    The choice of location is superb and inspires creativity.

    I found the idea of resetting, as well as retreating was very beneficial for me. Corinne has a very structured approach to teaching. She has a knack of synthesising her years of painting experience into steps that can be readily managed, even for beginners. Wonderful learning experience!

    Brenda - Cowra

  • Woman with a brush in her hand standing in front of Capertee Mountains

    I came with no knowledge and left inspired to learn more. I loved the camaraderie!

    I came to the retreat with absolutely no painting experience and thoroughly enjoyed learning from Corinne and the other participants. Corinne’s tutorials were incredibly helpful and explicitly taught many aspects of plein air painting. It was a wonderful experience - very supportive, educational and fun. What a lovely place to unwind!

    Janelle - Springwood

  • Woman painting outdoors at the Capertee Painting Retreat

    Such a restorative, creative space and people to be around.

    Corinne’s teaching and advice was so helpful in taking my work to the next level. I felt encouraged by all her feedback. It was such a warm and positive atmosphere and group. I plan to do this again!

    Kate - Blaxland

  • Woman sitting beside oil painting of a barn in the Capertee Valley

    Wonderful, fully immersive experience!

    What I enjoyed the most on the retreat was focussed time to paint and being with people who validated that painting is worthwhile. I loved learning new things from Corinne’s valuable guidance and connecting with others.

  • Female painting at an easel outdoors in Capertee Valley

    Amazing location and I loved learning new skills with gentle encouragement.

    A stunning environment of natural beauty, majestic vistas, abundant wildlife. Corinne is a very skilled educator and mentor, facilitates solving challenges and problems. She has a gentle considered way of giving very helpful feedback.

    Lesley - Drummoyne

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