2027 NZ Plein Air Tour with Kathleen Hudson
Join Kathleen Hudson for an Exclusive Painting Tour in New Zealand’s South Island!
Tour Dates & Pricing:
- NZ Plein Air Tour: February 3rd – February 13th Approx. USD $7,700 (NZD 12,995)
*All dates are listed in NZDT (GMT +13)
All tour prices are in NZD, and costs in other currencies are estimates and may incur currency conversion fees.
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 Kathleen Hudson throughout — from composition to finishing touches.
- Welcome dinner and a farewell dinner 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 Kathleen Hudson
Kathleen B. Hudson (b. 1986) emphasizes dynamic light and atmosphere in her paintings. She is a Signature Member of Plein Air Painters of America and the second youngest artist ever to be elected a Fellow in the American Society of Marine Artists.
In 2017, Hudson received the Grand Prize in the 6th Annual PleinAir Salon for her painting Bright Morning, Timberline Falls, which was featured on the July 2017 cover of PleinAir Magazine.
This tour isn’t just about pretty places. It’s about learning, improving your skills, and experiencing what it’s like to paint out in the field with expert guidance and full support.
Follwers
Support Crew
Kathleen will be there with you throughout the tour, guiding, demonstrating, and helping you capture these landscapes on canvas.
Joining us 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.)
New Zealand is amazingly beautiful but with Tisch’s personal contacts we were able to see and paint locations we would never have had access to, and they are breath taking locations. Kathleen Hudson is not just an amazing Artist, she is able to teach and communicate her knowledge of painting in a way that helps you understand and incorporate into our own paintings.
Our guides were just awesome always taking good care of us even providing us with tea and coffee at paint sites. It was great to paint along side Kathleen – such a wonderful learning experience. I can go on and on with the many great experiences on this tour. This was a high quality art tour, one I will always remember.
-Christine
-Veronica
I feel so privileged to have been able to join this tour, so wise for having made the decision to do so, and so blessed to be leaving with the most amazing memories of people, places, and experiences. Thank you Rachel, Andrew, Kathleen, RUTH!, Nick and Mike. What a team you are and what a beautiful tour you provided for us.
Thank you Kathleen for so generously sharing your knowledge and meeting each of us where we’re at in this art journey. You are an exceptional teacher in addition to an inspiring artist and I am so glad to have signed on to this art tour.
-BJ
Price
NZ Plein Air Tour: February 3rd – February 13th 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
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 ExpertsEmail: [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 Kathleen Hudson
