Figures in the Landscape: A Paekākāriki Creative Ramble

Class Date:  Saturday 23rd January | 10:00am – 2:00pm

Location:  Queen Elizabeth Park, Paekākāriki

With Tutor: Jake Fairweather

Take your figure drawing out of the studio and into the summer landscape of Paekākāriki.

Join artist and tutor Jake Fairweather for a creative ramble combining outdoor life drawing, watercolour and the pleasure—and challenge—of making art in the world around you. We’ll wander through Queen Elizabeth Park, stopping in different locations to draw and paint a model within the landscape.

Working outdoors changes everything. Light moves. Shadows shift. People pass by. The landscape becomes part of the composition. Rather than trying to control these things, you’ll explore how to notice and respond to them.

A particular focus will be dappled light on the human form: observing how sunlight, shade and reflected colour move across the figure and finding ways to capture those fleeting impressions using pencil and watercolour.
We’ll make time for breaks, conversation, coffee and a relaxed shared picnic along the way. Bring something simple to eat and settle in for four hours of drawing, painting and looking differently at the world around you.

What You'll Explore:

You’ll explore how to draw and paint the human figure outside the studio, building confidence in working in public and responding to the unpredictability of an outdoor environment. Jake will guide you in observing anatomy, gesture and proportion while also paying attention to the landscape, changing light and colour around the model.

You’ll experiment with pencil and watercolour, with a particular focus on capturing dappled light and making quick, responsive impressions rather than highly finished studies.

What You’ll Create:

Across the four-hour ramble, you’ll create a series of figure drawings and watercolour studies responding to the model in different locations and lighting conditions.

More importantly, you’ll come away with greater confidence in taking your creative practice outdoors, drawing the figure in real-world settings and responding to what is happening around you rather than relying on the controlled conditions of a studio.

Who Is This Course For?

This ramble is beginner-friendly, while offering plenty for people with existing drawing or painting experience. You don’t need previous experience drawing outdoors—just an interest in the figure, a willingness to experiment and an open mind.

What Do I Need to Bring?

Bring a portable setup that you’ll be comfortable carrying and using outdoors: an outdoor blanket, cushion or collapsible chair, and an easel if you like working with one. For drawing and painting, we recommend an A3 or larger pad of 300gsm watercolour paper, a 4B pencil, eraser and a good round watercolour brush—around a size 8 is ideal.

Bring sun protection and clothing suitable for the conditions, along with a simple picnic or plate to share. Tea, coffee and mineral water will be provided.

Watercolours and palettes will be available, and additional paper can be purchased if needed.

Meet Your Tutor:

Jake graduated from Massey with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours. He currently tutors painting, both watercolour and acrylic, at a range of institutions in Wellington.

Practical Details:

Saturday 23 January 2027 | 10am–2pm
Queen Elizabeth Park, Paekākāriki
4 hours, including breaks and a shared picnic

The model may be clothed or nude depending on the locations used and the level of privacy available. A nearby studio will provide a wet-weather alternative, allowing the creative experience to continue if conditions aren’t suitable outdoors.

This workshop is eligible for our ongoing Creative Immersion Offer!