King's Grant Plein Air Painting Retreat 2026
King’s Grant Country Retreat, Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal
7 – 11 September 2026
Join me for a unique painting retreat at a historic Trappist mission farm in the peaceful KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Enjoy three days of sketching and plein air painting amidst the tranquillity and sublime views of King’s Grant Country Retreat.From Monday 7th to Friday 11th September 2026, enter a world of calm, rooted in a century of quiet contemplation. It’s the perfect spot to unplug, relax, and create art.
Escape the busyness of daily life. Recharge your painting practice and unwind in nature.
This plein air painting retreat encourages you to connect with nature, discover fresh perspectives, and grow your confidence in your skills. You’ll be creating vibrant landscape studies to inspire you when you return to your studio.
There are 6 sketching and painting sessions over 3 days. Expect demos, one-on-one instruction, and plenty of individual painting time.
An optional 7th session of night painting will be available.
Painting demos will focus on oil paint, but techniques apply to acrylic and gouache as well. You are welcome to use your preferred medium.
- Simplifying composition
- Capturing the essence of a scene
- Handling changing light
- Atmospheric perspective
- Colour mixing
- Colour temperature for striking light effects
- Mark making and brushwork
Booking Information
Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
The Programme
Day 1 – Arrive
Arrive at King’s Grant Country Retreat. Settle in and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Meet & greet at dinner at St. Isidore’s Restaurant.
Day 2 – Full Day of Sketching
After breakfast at St. Isidore’s restaurant, we’ll meet at The Mill Conference Centre, our base for the retreat.
We’ll start by working in our sketchbooks. The first session (9am to 12pm) covers tips for composition and design. Learn to quickly capture the essence of a scene in sketches before painting. Then we’ll head outside for our first value study.Lunch is at St. Isidore’s Restaurant at 12.The second session (1.30pm to 4.30pm) is an individual sketching session. You can explore the farm to sketch and take photos. Tracy will be at The Mill for questions from 3.30pm.From 4.30pm, enjoy free time until dinner.Dinner together at St. Isidore’s Restaurant.
Day 3 – Full Day of Painting
Breakfast at St. Isidore’s Restaurant.
Bring your art supplies and plein air painting kit today. The third session (9am to 12pm) covers tools, colour mixing, and brushwork, including a demo. Then we’ll head outside to start painting.Lunch is at St. Isidore’s Restaurant at 12.The fourth session (1.30pm to 4.30pm) is an individual painting session. Finish the painting you started or begin a new one. Working small, you’ll have time to complete multiple studies. Tracy will be back at The Mill for questions from 3.30pm.From 4.30pm, enjoy free time until dinner.
Dinner together at St. Isidore’s Restaurant.
Optional night painting session.
Day 4 – Full Day of Painting
Breakfast at St. Isidore’s Restaurant.
The fifth session runs from 9am to 12pm. It begins with a chat at The Mill. Then, it shifts to a solo painting session outside. Tracy will be available for questions.
Lunch is at St. Isidore’s Restaurant at 12.The sixth session (1.30pm to 4.30pm) is an individual painting session. Meet back at The Mill at 3.30pm for questions, sharing work, and discussing your experiences.
From 4.30pm, enjoy free time until dinner.
Final dinner together at St. Isidore’s Restaurant.
Day 5 – Depart King’s Grant
Final breakfast.
Check-out by 10am.
“[At your Stanford workshop]…I valued the lesson of simplifying a drawing capturing light and shadow, then painting the subject and being guided on how to mix colours.Kings grant has always held a special place in my heart. It’s quiet serenity seeps deep into the soul and I always come away feeling rested and at peace. What a wonderful venue for a plain air painting workshop.”- Jen Button,Ixopo KZN
Packages
Early Birds (book and pay a 50% deposit by 31st December 2025)Single participant: R9,600
Sharing participant: R8,400
Day participant: R4,800 (for Ixopo locals, lunch and tea/coffee facilities at The Mill are included)
Single Participant – R10,500
Sharing Participant – R9,300
Day Participant – R5,200 (for Ixopo locals, lunch and tea/coffee facilities at The Mill are included)
Sharing Companion – R5,000 (no early bird discount)
- 3-days of tuition with Tracy
- 4-nights accommodation
- Hearty breakfasts, light lunches and two-course dinners as per the programme
- Soft drinks at lunch and dinner
- Tea and coffee facilities in The Mill Lounge during the day
Cancellation Policy and Payments
Please familiarise yourself with the cancellation policy and payment dates before booking.
- Final Payment Due Date: Your final payment for the retreat is due six weeks prior to the retreat start date (27th July, 2026).
- Refunds (up to two months prior): For cancellations made up to two months prior to the workshop (6th July, 2026), a refund will be issued, less a R500 administration fee.
- No Refunds (after two months prior): Unfortunately, due to the nature of retreat planning and commitments, no refunds will be available for cancellations made after 6th July, 2026.
Space is limited to 10 participants
About the Workshop Instructor
I’m Tracy Algar, a South African landscape painter who enjoys working en plein air (outdoors). I live and work in Adendorp, in the Karoo.You can see more of my paintings here.
Tracy’s Teaching Philosophy
My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that landscape art is a practice of observation and connection. It is a process that starts with the artist’s personal experience of the outdoors and culminates in a visual expression that brings joy to both the creator and the viewer. I will guide students to see beyond mere representation and into the essence of a scene.Key Pillars of My Teaching- The “Slow Art” of Observation: I teach students to see and design their composition before they even pick up a brush. This is my core principle. By simplifying the landscape into fundamental shapes and values, students will learn to understand the structure of a scene and create a strong intentional composition. This focus on “seeing” teaches patience and mindfulness, which are valuable skills beyond the canvas.
- Fostering a Deeper Connection: My goal is for students to gain a deeper connection with nature and with themselves. By encouraging them to spend time outdoors, I’m not just teaching a technical skill; I’m facilitating an experience. I believe that the practice of painting outdoors can be a meditative act that builds self-awareness and appreciation for the natural world.
- Building Confidence and Preparation: I want my students to have the confidence to paint outdoors and to be prepared for the experience. This practical element is crucial to my philosophy. I’ll teach them the logistics of plein air painting, from choosing the right gear to understanding how light changes throughout the day. This preparation will empower them to face the challenges of painting outdoors with a sense of calm and capability.
Accommodation
King’s Grant Country Retreat is steeped in history and the guest rooms are the original sleeping quarters of the monks and nuns who once lived there. While the accommodation is simple, each room has an en-suite bathroom, and is comfortably appointed. Free Wi-Fi is available.
Meals
We will have our meals at St. Isidore’s Restaurant, where you can expect wholesome, creative, bold flavours. The focus of the food is on seasonal, organic vegetables and herbs supplied by the farm gardens.
Some of the attractions of King’s Grant, for when you are not painting.
- Farm walks
- Go canoeing on one of the two farm dams
- Go bird-watching
- Visit the Wild Aloe Garden
- Go on a guided tour of the Mill
- Paint pottery on the restaurant deck