A drawing trip in the middle of nowhere

And you're invited!

I’m hosting a sketchbook retreat in a remote New Zealand location in November—and you’re invited. Here’s the story of how I got the idea on a tramping trip, two summers ago.

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I like cities. I like people. I like technology.

All of these things are important to me and my creativity. They’re also my normal. And getting away from that normal for a little break is good for me.

That’s why I like tramping (that’s what we call hiking here in New Zealand). You strap a bag on your back and take only the essentials, plus a couple of blocks of chocolate and a sketchbook.

January 2023. I’m with my brother and his partner at the north end of Abel Tasman National Park, walking up a hill so we can walk down it tomorrow. This trip was planned at the last minute, so we had to take a doubling-back route because only a few bunks were available to book.

Tramping is busy; you’ve got to keep walking. But there are cracks, too. Cracks that you can fill with art. There’s always a bit of dead time between hut arrival and dinner, so I draw the view from the top bunk as the others have a late afternoon nap.

The next morning, we headed back down the hill and arrived at the hut late in the afternoon. My fellow walkers were resting again, so I headed outside with my sketchbook and drew the old farmhouse that now serves as a tramping hut. Another crack filled.

Afterwards, we take an early evening swim, followed by dinner and card games.

On day three we’re walking along the coast. I’ve done this walk a few times before so I skip a side trip to a lookout, giving me a half-hour crack to get another drawing in.

I like trips with other people; it’s fun, but you need to consider them. I don’t want to keep them waiting, so I’m always looking for cracks to fit drawings in.

I like a solo trip, too, where I don’t have to hunt for these cracks; I can draw whenever I want to. But that also means having to do all the organisation. Getting away from it all is great, but it comes with responsibilities and jobs, too.

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In the couple of years since then, I’ve kept thinking of this idea: How can I get away from it all, have someone take care of the other stuff, so I can draw more and have more fun? Is it possible?

It turns out it is.

I got a message from my Dad a few weeks ago.

“We’ve gotta come here for a drawing trip.”

Dad’s a watercolour painter, and he’s the whole reason I know about sketchbooks. On a recent road trip, he found a spot well off the beaten track—an abandoned but intact sawmill that welcomes artists and photographers. He sent me photos of rusted cars, old sheds, and cottages. I knew I had to go there.

Down the road, there’s a lodge on a river set amongst native trees, with plenty of native birds. The lodge has everything you need for a relaxing stay.

The river has whio, a very cool (and rare) duck species that surfs rapids, and a beautiful waterfall.

A drawing trip. In the middle of nowhere. A beautiful location. Everything included.

And you’re invited.

Rust, wrecks, forest and ferns. A sketchbook retreat.

🗓️ 27 November – 1 December
📍 Blackfern Lodge, North Island, NZ
🖌️ Workshops, sketching time, forest walks
🪚 An abandoned sawmill full of cool stuff to draw
🌿 Stunning natural setting
👥 Small, friendly group—spaces are limited
🍽️ Everything included—just bring your sketchbook

Best of all: time to draw and paint. No crack-searching required!

I really hope you can come along. If this sounds like your kind of escape, click the button. All the details are right there👇.

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PS: I’ve been drawing a building every day. It’s really good to keep my drawing fitness up. Here’s a recent sketchbook spread:

Thanks for reading all the way to the end; I feel a bit weird about sending out a post that is basically an ad, but I think it’s an ad for a Very Cool Thing.

Happy drawing.
Andrew