Photo: Lisa Kerr See the Cape through a painter’s eyes
Painting the Cape
The invitation
Marc Dalessio
in Western Cape, South Africa
Marc Dalessio leads a small group through four dramatically different Western Cape landscapes, painting directly from life.
Vineyard-covered mountains give way to the wide skies of the Klein Karoo, the wild Garden Route and, finally, the ocean light of Hermanus.
A considered fit
Is this your journey?
A private conversation with Taléta helps confirm artistic, travel and companion needs before any commitment.
Current status
Now booking; ask the team about current room and companion options.
Creative focus
Plein-air landscape, value structure, colour accuracy, changing light and confident editing.
Journey rhythm
Four distinct Western Cape environments, each introducing a new palette, terrain and visual problem.
Companions
Non-painting partners may enquire; the route offers landscape, wildlife, food, wine and coastal experiences.
At the easel
What you will explore with Marc
- Set up efficiently and identify the essential structure of a scene
- Judge value and colour relationships under changing outdoor light
- Simplify detail while preserving a strong sense of place
- Make confident decisions within the natural limits of plein-air time
- Adapt one process to vineyards, semi-desert, wildlife country and coast
The destination
A landscape that asks you to look again.
This is a moving plein-air studio. Just as one landscape becomes familiar, the palette shifts again—from Cape greens to Karoo ochres, bushveld texture and Atlantic blue.
Your places
Lanzerac Estate
Historic Stellenbosch architecture, vineyard geometry and mountain light begin the journey.
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge
A Klein Karoo setting of open plains, ochre earth and wide skies.
Botlierskop
A private reserve on the Garden Route where wildlife and varied terrain expand the plein-air subject matter.
The Marine, Hermanus
A coastal finale above Walker Bay, with sea mist, fynbos and expansive Atlantic light.
The route
The journey, mapped
Verified arrival, lodge and departure locations in itinerary order.
Locations are geographically accurate. Lines show the itinerary sequence rather than turn-by-turn navigation.
- 01 ArrivalCape Town International Airport
- 02 LodgeLanzerac Estate · Stellenbosch
- 03 LodgeBuffelsdrift Game Lodge · Klein Karoo
- 04 LodgeBotlierskop Private Game Reserve
- 05 LodgeThe Marine · Hermanus
- 06 DepartureCape Town International Airport
The rhythm
The journey at a glance
Three chapters that shape the pace and creative arc of the workshop.
The Winelands
Begin among Cape Dutch architecture, vineyards, oak-lined avenues and mountain light.
Into a wilder landscape
Move through the Klein Karoo and Garden Route, where open plains and wildlife become part of the scene.
The edge of the ocean
Finish in Hermanus with coastal fynbos, cliffs, sea mist and expansive Atlantic views.
A day in the field
Purposeful, never hurried
The exact sequence follows weather, wildlife and the artist’s teaching plan; this is the intended creative rhythm.
Morning light
Paint directly from place
Set up among vineyards, mountains, gardens or the coast while conditions are clear and the light is responsive.
Late morning
Demonstration & individual direction
Watch the artist solve a scene, then develop your own work with personal guidance.
Afternoon
A slower cultural rhythm
Lunch, rest and selected local experiences create distance from the canvas before the next session.
Evening
Review & reconnect
Informal critique, conversation and a considered meal close the day without rushing the work.
Day by day
The itinerary
Open each day to explore the places, painting sessions and signature experiences planned for the journey. Final timings may adapt to weather and wildlife conditions.
01 27–30 October · Lanzerac · StellenboschThe Winelands
Begin among Cape Dutch architecture, vineyards, oak-lined streets and mountain light. The setting is refined, architectural and green, with the estate as an elegant painting base.
02 30–31 October · Buffelsdrift · Klein KarooInto a wilder landscape
Move into wide plains, rugged mountains and semi-desert colour. African wildlife enters the landscape as the palette shifts to ochre, dusty green and warm earth.
03 1–4 November · Botlierskop · Garden RouteWhere painting meets the wild
Paint rolling hills, indigenous vegetation, grasslands and wildlife against distant mountains, with sunrise and sunset safaris changing the character of each scene.
04 4–6 November · The Marine · HermanusThe edge of the ocean
Finish above Walker Bay, where coastal fynbos, rocky cliffs, Atlantic blue and sea mist create a luminous final plein-air chapter.
Your master artist
Marc Dalessio
Join a small group for demonstrations, considered critique and the rare chance to work beside a master in the field.
Meet the artist
Personally curated in Stellenbosch
Hosted with a painter’s understanding.
Founder and painter Taléta Willer shapes each journey around the conditions artists need: meaningful access, a generous teaching rhythm and practical details that never compete with the work.
From the first conversation onward, Taléta and Cecilia remain close to your plans—coordinating the journey, learning what matters to you and helping Africa feel considered rather than complicated.
The experience
Thoughtfully inclusive
Each itinerary is designed so you can concentrate on seeing, painting and being present.
Included
- Carefully selected luxury accommodation
- Meals and select beverages as detailed in the itinerary
- Master artist demonstrations, instruction and personal feedback
- In-country ground transport during the published journey
- On-the-ground workshop and easel support
- Dedicated hosting by the Workshops in Africa team
- Premium airport meet-and-assist where specified in the itinerary
- Painting demonstrations and individual feedback with Marc Dalessio
Not included
- International flights to and from Africa
- Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
- Personal extras, spa treatments, laundry and premium beverages
- Optional extensions or activities not included in the itinerary
The investment
US$13,500
Contact the team for room, companion and payment arrangements before booking.
Speak with Taléta to confirm room and companion arrangements and arrange payment.
Speak with TalétaReview the full terms and confirm current availability with our team before payment. Prices shown are drawn from the published workshop information.
Your private journey brief
See the journey in full.
Request the most current itinerary, artistic guidance, accommodation details, companion information and payment choices. Taléta or Cecilia will respond personally.
Prefer a conversation? Speak with Taléta