This 1-day intensive workshop focuses on interpreting the urban Karoo landscape through drawing, tonal values and atmospheric painting.
There is a particular, quiet magic to life here in the Karoo. It is in the way the light shifts, the feeling of time slowing down and the unique character of the streets and buildings. Whether you are starting a new sketching habit, or want to breathe new life into your existing practice, this workshop will help you notice and record those special details.
Join landscape artists Curt Marthezé and Tracy Algar for a day of observation, drawing and painting in Graaff-Reinet. We’ll be spending time in the ‘studio’ and optionally also out in the streets, learning to turn our surroundings into meaningful pages in a sketchbook.
The details:
When: Saturday 27th June 2026
Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm (with a one hour lunch break)
Where: St James Church Hall, Graaff-Reinet
Cost: R650 per person
What's included: Tuition from Curt Marthezé and Tracy Algar, plus a delicious soup for lunch, along with tea and coffee to keep us going.
What we'll cover:
We’re going to spend the day exploring what it means to see the urban Karoo through the eyes of an artist. We’ll look at the importance of composition using photo reference, how to simplify architecture through value and perspective, and how to use colour and tone to bring your sketchbook pages to life.
- Understanding composition using photo reference
- Making sketches that focus on our particular interest in the subject
- Drawing correctly and loosely from observation using different media
- Learning about perspective and planning
Our day is structured to give you plenty of time to find your rhythm.
What to bring:
Please come prepared with your own art materials. You'll need:
- An A5 or A4 sketchbook (make sure the paper is thick enough for wet media)
- Pencils, pens and brushes
- Gouache or watercolour paints and a palette.
- A kneadable eraser, water container, and masking tape.
- A spray bottle (optional).
- Your cell phone for taking reference photos during our walk.
Browse our curated list of suggested sketchbooks and paints here.
We'll be providing reference photographs to work from, but having your own shots is always a bonus.
About the facilitators:
Tracy Algar is a landscape oil painter who finds inspiration in her immediate surroundings. She loves the freedom of painting en plain air in oil, but finds that working with gouache in her sketchbook is a wonderful way to capture quick, honest impressions of a place. Her work is currently showing at the Imibala Gallery at the Drostdy Hotel here in Graaff-Reinet, and at the Intethe Gallery in Hermanus. You can see more of her current work here.
Curt Marthezé is a talented visual artist who brings a keen eye and a wealth of experience to the workshop. He works mostly in watercolour and gouache, enjoying direct observation and sketchbook studies as his preferred practice. Curt’s work is currently showing at the Imibala Gallery in Graaff-Reinet. See more of his work at his website here.
How to book your spot:
We're keeping the group size manageable so we can spend quality time with everyone, so be sure to secure your place soon. If you'd like to join us, you're welcome to get in touch with either of us via WhatsApp for email to book your spot:
Tracy Algar: 084 584 3757 or hello@tracyalgar.com
Curt Marthezé: 079 127 6300 or info@cmart.za.net