2027 NZ Plein Air Tour with Joe Paquet
Join Joe Paquet for his next Plein Air Tour in New Zealand’s South Island!
Tour Dates & Pricing:
- NZ Plein Air Tour: March 1st – March 11th Approx. USD $7,700 (NZD 12,995)
Get current NZD exchange rates: here
What’s Included:
- 5 nights in Queenstown at the luxurious Platinum Apartments.
- 5 nights in Wanaka at the stunning Lakeside Apartments.
- Daily painting sessions in private, serene, off-the-grid locations — places few have ever painted.
- Personal guidance from Joe Paquet throughout — from composition to finishing touches.
- Welcome dinner and a farewell dinner are included.
- Collection and departure drop-offs included.
- Art kits available on enquiry, cost depending on personal need.
- Each guest will have their own private bedroom and bathroom while sharing a 2 bedroom apartment with one other guest.
Why This Tour is Different:
About Joe Paquet
Joseph Paquet grew up in a blue-collar, craft-rich household—his father was a railroad ironworker who carved and painted in his spare time; his mother sewed and knitted everything under the roof. Roaming the outdoors with a sketchbook, Paquet honed the same curiosity that fuels his plein-air work today: “I’m now paid for what once got me into trouble,” he laughs.
At New York’s School of Visual Arts, instructors John Foote, David Palladini, and James McMullan deepened his passion for drawing. Study with John Phillip Osborne later introduced him to the Prismatic Palette and the life-changing practice of painting on location.
Paquet’s philosophy is simple: each painting is “a chunk of my life—a record of my time on this earth.” That intimate connection to place and moment remains the heart of his art.
Follwers
Support Crew
Joe will be there with you throughout the tour, guiding, demonstrating, and helping you capture these landscapes on canvas.
Joining you is a dedicated, trained support crew, with local knowledge and the know-how to keep everything running smoothly. They’ll assist with logistics, help you set up, carry gear when needed, and make sure you’re comfortable and ready to paint. We’ll keep driving time short, so you can spend more time doing what you came for — painting.
Fitness and Accessibility
We’ve designed this tour for everyone. No hardcore hiking or climbing — we’ll drive to most of our spots, and the support crew will help carry your gear and get you set up. If you can walk reasonably well, you’re good to go. This is all about making sure any fitness level can take part, and focus on creating.
Extra Activities
If the weather’s on our side, here are some extra experiences you can take part in:
- Helicopter Flight – Take to the skies and get a bird’s eye view of the mountains. We can organize a chopper trip to see some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes from above — perfect for photos, inspiration, and just soaking it all in.
- Scenic Walks – For those who want to stretch their legs, there are some epic trails nearby. Join us for an optional hike, take in the views, and maybe even scout out your next painting spot.
- Photography Tours – Spend time gathering reference material that’ll last you a lifetime. We’ll explore some beautiful spots for photography, capturing light and landscape for future work.
(Please note: activities like the helicopter flight are an additional cost.)
Joe Paquet is a superb painter and an outstanding teacher. He takes the complex ideas behind the prismatic color palette and breaks them down into clear, understandable concepts, then demonstrates how to apply them in practice. His critiques are thoughtful, constructive, and delivered with genuine kindness and attention.
Our ground crew, kept everything running smoothly—transporting us to each location, providing coffee, water, and snacks, and helping with our gear. They made the experience effortless and fun.
Tischler’s Extreme Painting Workshop was a true five-star experience and the most well-organised workshop I’ve attended. I highly recommend it.
Paulette
Cheryl
Learning from Joe in the incredible majesty of the New Zealand landscape put this workshop over the top. Under Andrew Tischler’s guidance, the workshop placed us in remote, private locations that awed us all, and begged to be painted. His team made every transition seamless, and they spoiled us with their hospitality.
Over the course of our time there, we met the rest of Andrew’s team, including his family, all of whom were so gracious and welcoming. If I could, I would turn around and head back there tomorrow, in hopes of re-capturing the magic of this wonderful workshop.
Lisa
Price
NZ Plein Air Tour: March 1st – March 11th NZD 12,995 (Approx. USD 7,700)
*Listed USD prices are subject to change and may incur currency conversion fees. Once your deposit and booking are received, a final price will be provided in your preferred currency.
If you wish to bring a partner, you may if we have space, though they will have to pay full price as we require 10 full-paying guests for the tour to commence.
Get current NZD exchange rates: Click here
Only 10 guests per tour
Why the difference in price?
Tour prices vary due to seasonal fluctuations and higher accommodation costs during the height of summer in New Zealand.
To secure your spot, a NZD 3,000 deposit is required.
What’s Not Included:
Flights to and from New Zealand, travel insurance (required), visas, and any personal expenses are not included. Need help or have questions? We’re happy to assist with info and advice to make your planning easier.
Need a Hand with Travel?
Need a hand sorting flights, extra nights? Our trusted travel specialist Charlie Beare can build a seamless itinerary to match your art‑adventure plans.
Charlie Beare – Travel & Cruise Expert for Wanderlust Travel Experts
Email: [email protected]Phone: +6439747523Website: www.wanderlusttravelexperts.co.nz
How to Book:
Download terms and conditions for the tour
Please send any additional questions to: [email protected]
Please fill out the form below to reserve your spot for the 2027 Plein Air Art Tour with Joe Paquet
