A Sense of Things: Colour, Pattern & Collections
Rotterdam/Dordrecht/Netherlands ‘26
Details:
Duration: 5 days
Price: £995 (approx. €1130)
Dates:
Mon 8 - Fri 12 June 2026 - SOLD OUT
Mon 17 - Fri 21 August 2026 - COMING SOON
Time: 10am - 5pm daily
Group size: 8 - 12 people
Studio location: Krimpen aan den IJssel, Rotterdam, Netherlands (exact location provided after booking)
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Also available:
Escape for a five-day drawing and painting workshop in the calm outskirts of Rotterdam, to creative studio of co-host, Hannah Bolsius, following this year’s sell-out event.
Once again we are basing ourselves in Hannah’s open-plan studio, a short train ride from the city. A 19th-century Dutch barn styled with a quirky assortment of hand-picked curiosities, it offers a heap of inspiration to draw on throughout the week.
Venturing beyond the studio, this year we’ll be taking a one-day trip by boat to sketch in Dordrecht’s market garden and restaurant, Villa Augustus. Set in a restored water tower surrounded by lush gardens, Villa Augustus offers a blend of history, design, and nature. From the scent of herbs in the kitchen garden to the play of light across the glasshouse restaurant, every corner is an invitation to slow down, observe, and create.
Pattern, colour and creating collections form the theme of this year’s workshop, giving us a shared focus whilst leaving space for you to choose your own subject matter and personal direction. Whether it’s painting seasonal produce, printing industrial boats or drawing on the ephemera and design of Villa Augustus, there is a breadth of inspiration to build a rich portfolio of illustrations.
Throughout the week you’ll have the chance to work with your own preference of materials through guided demonstrations and tailored feedback, filling a book with characterfully imperfect illustrations. We’ll explore a range of techniques, including watercolour, colour-pencil drawing, lino cutting, and print-making, along with sharing tips for playful creativity and pushing your work in new directions.
By the end of the week you’ll have a range of drawings, prints and paintings, inspired by visited interiors and local surroundings. Through individual conversations you’ll have a better sense of how to bring the best out of your work, along with ways to sustain a creative habit once you return home.
Suitable for adults with all levels of experience and ability from enthusiastic beginners to more established artists seeking new inspiration, this workshop covers new themes and processes and is therefore equally suitable for returning students who have attended my previous workshops or retreats.
Included:
Five full workshop days, including daily group tuition and demonstrations
Individual feedback and guidance throughout the week
Use of a creative open-plan studio space and private garden
A one-day drawing excursion by boat to Villa Augustus via the old city of Dordrecht, returning via central Rotterdam for a visit to a large art supplies store
Lunches provided by the excellent De Verre Hoeve
Tea, coffee, and light refreshments during workshop hours
Additional materials
Local knowledge and recommendations
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Rotterdam is easily accessible by train from across Europe, otherwise The Hague Airport or Amsterdam Schiphol are the nearest airports (25 min train to Rotterdam).
Hannah’s Studio is reachable in 30 mins by train and bus from Rotterdam city centre.
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Accommodation options in the local area starting at approx £40 (€45) per night can be shared after booking. Participants are invited to make their own arrangements but we are happy to support with local knowledge and contacts.
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You will need to bring a handful of your own materials (a short list will be provided). Additional specific materials you’ll need will be included in the workshop fee. There will also be time for a group visit to a well-stocked art shop in Rotterdam.
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This workshop is suitable for adults with all levels of experience and ability from enthusiastic beginners to more established artists seeking new inspiration. It covers new themes and processes each year and is therefore equally suitable for students who have attended my previous workshops or retreats.
Information and assistance can be provided in Dutch and English but all teaching will be delivered in English.
We will be walking and standing to draw during our day out at Villa Augustus, Dordrecht. If you feel this might be difficult for you please arrange to speak to me before booking to discuss what adjustments can be made.
A gentle, well behaved dog will be around during the workshops. Get in touch for a chat about this in advance if you have any concerns.
Please email me to discuss any other accessibility needs, which I will aim to accommodate where possible.
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After paying an initial £100 (€115) booking fee to hold a space on the course, you’ll be sent an invoice for the remaining £400 (€450) deposit. This will be due within one week to secure your workshop place.
The remaining balance will be due 6 weeks before the course start date. If you’d like to discuss paying in smaller instalments, get in touch.
Please wait until you’ve received confirmation that the workshop has reached the minimum number of participants to make it viable before booking travel or accommodation.
Accommodation, where requested, will be processed separately.
Please note that amounts are charged in GBP £. Converted € amounts are approximate estimates.
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An optional dinner in the studio or garden will be hosted for the group on Wednesday evening for an additional £35 (€40) per person. Payment for this will be arranged nearer to the event.
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Bookings are non-refundable unless your space can be filled, in which case it will be refunded minus any transaction fees. In the unlikely event the workshop is cancelled, the workshop fee will be refunded in full, but organisers of the event are not responsible for any lost associated costs including travel, accommodation or transfer fees. Please take out appropriate insurance to cover medical emergencies plus the cost of your travel and accommodation expenses in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
“It exceeded my expectations! I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of the content, though I was a little worried that there might be a forceful push towards 'playing' and 'loosening up' etc! I was very pleased to find the approach was much gentler and spacious than that and much, much more effective for me.
The emphasis on facilitating and allowing for unrushed one-to-one time was very good. Whilst I love the art you produce, it wasn't all about your process but you allowed each person to discover more about their own, without judgement. That's a high level skill!”
- Sarah / From Sketchbook to Studio / Rotterdam ‘25
“Whenever I found myself trying too hard, Laura would gently remind me to ‘just play with it, just explore, just see what happens if…’. And when I did, in the presence of someone who truly understood such exploration, the shared joy became something truly special. This week has allowed me to reconnect with my inner child, find solace in the act of creation, embrace the beauty in imperfection, and find joy in the process!”
- Kalanit / Drawing Urban Nature / London ‘24
“Where should I begin? Maybe it didn’t seem that way to you, but everything we did seeped into me and travelled to places I probably knew were there, but didn’t know how to reach or break open. Because of the way you are, Laura.
I liked working with new materials, and in new ways, being gently guided through murky, mean waters of frustration. In short, it brought me joy. Some of the experiences and emotions will eventually fade and colours grow dull, sadly. But certain marks are permanent, and will stand out bold and bright.”
- Peter / From Sketchbook to Studio / Italy ‘25