Watercolour Central Australia: Painting Workshop with Jacky
Central Australia Watercolour Workshop with Jacky Pearson
- Alice Springs, East & West MacDonnell Ranges
- 12–20 June 2027
- 9 Days / 8 Nights
Join acclaimed watercolour artist Jacky Pearson for an unforgettable nine-day painting journey through Australia’s Red Centre. Based in Alice Springs, the workshop explores the dramatic landscapes of the East and West MacDonnell Ranges through guided painting sessions, demonstrations and group critiques.
- Simpsons Gap – Dramatic ranges, sandy creek beds and ghost gums.
- Emily Gap & Jessie Gap – Red cliffs, pale gums and broad creek-bed views.
- Standley Chasm – Towering rock walls illuminated by the midday sun.
- Trephina Gorge – Ghost gums, sandy creek beds and red quartzite cliffs.
- Ormiston Gorge – Waterhole reflections and expansive range views.
- Olive Pink Botanic Garden – Native flora, desert trees and rocky slopes.
💰 Pricing Options
🎨 AU$4,499 (Twin Share Per Person) 🏡 AU$5,499 (Single Fare)
🌟 Non-Painting Partner Discount: AU$250 Off
🎨 Central Australia Watercolour Painting Workshop with Jacky Pearson
A nine-day creative journey through the heart of Australia’s Red Centre
📍 Alice Springs | 12 – 20 June 2027 | 9 Days / 8 Nights
🎨 Seven-day watercolour painting program with optional Uluru and Kings Canyon extension
🖼️ Workshop Overview
Join internationally acclaimed watercolour artist Jacky Pearson for an unforgettable
nine-day painting journey based in Alice Springs. Explore the dramatic landscapes of the East and
West MacDonnell Ranges, where glowing ochres, towering gorge walls, ancient River Red Gums, sandy
creek beds and shifting desert light provide endless inspiration.
Across seven painting days, Jacky will guide participants through demonstrations, practical painting
sessions, individual assistance and group critiques. Her supportive and encouraging teaching style
will help you develop your skills while capturing the distinctive colour, atmosphere and character
of Central Australia.
The workshop is suitable for artists with different levels of experience, from enthusiastic beginners
to experienced painters seeking new inspiration.
Choose from:
- 🏨 Full workshop package with eight nights of quality accommodation, breakfast,
daily painting-location transport, scheduled airport transfers, welcome dinner, farewell dinner
and selected packed lunches - 🎨 Painting-only option for local participants or those arranging their own
accommodation and transport
🌟 Workshop Highlights
✔️ Seven-Day Painting Program: Enjoy outdoor painting sessions, demonstrations,
individual guidance and group critiques with Jacky Pearson
✔️ Iconic Central Australian Landscapes: Paint at Simpsons Gap, Emily Gap, Jessie Gap,
Standley Chasm, Trephina Gorge, Ormiston Gorge and other inspiring locations
✔️ East and West MacDonnell Ranges: Experience a diverse range of subjects, including
dramatic rock formations, waterholes, ghost gums, sandy creek beds and expansive desert views
✔️ Alice Springs Heritage: Paint historic stone buildings, River Red Gums and surrounding
landscapes at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve
✔️ Critique and Finishing Sessions: Dedicated time is included to review your work,
receive constructive feedback and complete paintings from earlier sessions
✔️ Quality Accommodation: Relax in comfortable accommodation throughout the eight-night
Alice Springs stay
✔️ Daily Painting Transfers: Transport between the hotel and scheduled painting locations
is included for full-package participants
✔️ Small Group Experience: Enjoy personalised guidance and a friendly, supportive
learning environment
✔️ Optional Uluru and Kings Canyon Extension: Participants may extend their journey with
a self-arranged visit to Kings Canyon, Uluru and Kata Tjuta after the workshop
-
Destination
From our gallery
Step into the creative journey of our watercolor workshops with a collection of inspiring moments captured during our painting tours. The gallery showcases breathtaking artworks created by participants, picturesque landscapes from our tour locations, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of our immersive painting sessions led by Jacky Pearson.
Tour Plan
🛬 Day 1 – Arrival in Alice Springs
- Arrive by early afternoon
- Transfer to hotel and check-in
- Evening 🍽️ Welcome Dinner and introduction session with Jacky
🏞️ Day 2 – West MacDonnells: Simpsons Gap
Day 2 — Simpsons Gap, West MacDonnell Ranges
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Morning transfer to Simpsons Gap
- Watercolour demonstration and guided painting session with Jacky
- Paint dramatic range formations, sandy creek beds, ghost gums and shifting shadows
- Afternoon painting session before returning to Alice Springs
🌿 Day 3 – Emily Gap and Jessie Gap
Day 3 — Emily Gap and Jessie Gap
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Morning transfer to Emily Gap in the East MacDonnell Ranges
- Paint red cliff faces, pale gums and the surrounding landscape in the morning light
- Lunch break before continuing to Jessie Gap
- Afternoon painting session featuring broad creek-bed compositions
- Return to the hotel in the late afternoon
⛰️ Day 4 – Standley Chasm – Angkerle Atwatye
Day 4 — Standley Chasm – Angkerle Atwatye
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Morning transfer to Standley Chasm – Angkerle Atwatye
- Watercolour demonstration and guided painting session
- Capture the towering rock walls and glowing colours created by the midday light
- Afternoon painting and individual guidance from Jacky
- Return to Alice Springs
⛰️ Day 5 – Trephina Gorge, East MacDonnell Ranges
Day 5 — Trephina Gorge, East MacDonnell Ranges
- Early breakfast at the hotel
- Morning departure for a full-day painting excursion to Trephina Gorge
- Paint wide sandy creek beds, ghost gums, rugged ridgelines and red quartzite cliffs
- Afternoon painting session and individual tuition with Jacky
- Return to Alice Springs in the late afternoon
⛰️ Day 6 – Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve
Day 6 — Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Morning painting session at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve
- Paint heritage stone buildings, River Red Gums, dry creek beds and surrounding ranges
- Return to the hotel after the morning session
- Afternoon 🎨 Group Critique with Jacky
- Free time to rest, explore Alice Springs or finish paintings from earlier in the week
⛰️ Day 7 – Ormiston Gorge, West MacDonnell Ranges
Day 7 — Ormiston Gorge, West MacDonnell Ranges
- Early breakfast at the hotel
- Morning departure for a full-day excursion to Ormiston Gorge
- Paint waterhole reflections, towering gorge walls, River Red Gums and expansive range views
- Afternoon painting session with demonstrations and individual guidance from Jacky
- Return to Alice Springs in the late afternoon
🌿 Day 8 — Olive Pink Botanic Garden
Day 8 — Olive Pink Botanic Garden
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Morning painting session at the Olive Pink Botanic Garden
- Paint native arid-zone flora, desert trees, rocky slopes and views towards the ranges
- Afternoon 🎨 Final Group Critique and reflection on the week’s work
- Time to prepare and pack paintings for departure
- Evening 🍽️ Farewell Dinner with Jacky and fellow participants
Day 9 — Departure
Day 9 — Departure
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Hotel check-out
- Scheduled transfer to Alice Springs Airport
- Participants continuing to Uluru or Kings Canyon begin their self-arranged extension
Gallery
Step into the creative journey of our watercolor workshops with a collection of inspiring moments captured during our painting tours. The gallery showcases breathtaking artworks created by participants, picturesque landscapes from our tour locations, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of our immersive painting sessions led by Jacky Pearson.
💰 Pricing Options
We offer flexible packages to suit every need:| 🧾 Package Type | 💵 Price (AUD) | 🧳 Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| 🎨 Full Package – Share | $4,499 pp | Accommodation, painting sessions, daily breakfast, welcome & farewell dinner |
| 🧍 Full Package – Single | $5,499 | As above, with private room |
| 🖌️ Painting & Tutor Only | $2,599 | Daily painting sessions, welcome & farewell dinner (no accommodation/transport) |
| 👫 Non-Painting Partner | –$250 | Discount for partner sharing a room but not painting |
📌 What’s Included
For Full Package Guests:
✅ 8 nights in 4-star accommodation
✅ Daily breakfast, welcome drinks, and farewell dinner
✅ Daily painting sessions with Jacky Pearson
✅ All local site transport during the tour
🖌️ For Painting-Only Guests:
✅ Daily painting sessions with Jacky Pearson
✅ Welcome drinks and farewell dinner
❌ Accommodation and local transport not included
❌ Airfare to/from Central Australia
❌ Art materials (please bring your own)
❌ Travel insurance (highly recommended)
❌ Return airport transfers
📅 Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel:
🔹 More than 90 days before – Full refund (minus the holding deposit)
🔹 30–90 days before – 50% refund
🔹 Less than 30 days before – No refund
If we need to cancel (due to low bookings, natural events, or instructor illness):
✅ Full refund or
✅ Option to transfer to a future workshop