Amsterdam Urban Sketching Workshops & Mentorships:

The Power of the Pause: The City’s Soul in Your Sketchbook

Beyond the Postcard: Create Your Story With Pens & Paint

The Power of the Pause: Capture the Soul of the City

Photography captures a moment, but sketching captures a memory. I designed these private masterclasses to be more than just tours, to help you trade the rush of sightseeing for the quiet, focused beauty of creation. This is your invitation to move beyond generic images and develop the artistic language needed to translate Amsterdam’s unique beauty onto the page—a fundamental skill that stays with you long after the ink has dried.

Precision & Interpretation:
Mastering the Language of the Engaged Observer

Urban sketching is the art of strategic editing. Amsterdam offers an overwhelming amount of detail—from the intricate "bottle-neck" gables to the dancing reflections on the Herengracht. My mentorship focuses on the technical bridge to artistic freedom: teaching you what to leave out so that what remains has maximum impact.

We don't just "draw houses." We study the visual vocabulary of the city:

Architectural Shorthand: How to suggest complex 17th-century detail with a few confident strokes.
The Physics of Water: Techniques for capturing the unique, dark "mirror" quality of the Dutch canals.
Gestural Life: Learning to incorporate the movement of cyclists and pedestrians without losing the stillness of the composition.
Color Economy: Using a limited palette to create a sophisticated, cohesive mood that reflects the famous "Lowland Light."

Explore Urban Sketching Sessions

The Experience Includes

Private Coaching: 1-on-1 mentorship for 1.5 or 4 hours.
Virtual Portfolio Review: A follow-up session to refine your work.
Artisanal Refreshments: Local Dutch snacks and beverages.
Premium Supplies: Pencils, Pens, Paint, Paper & Brushes

Find Your Perfect Fit:

Three Levels of Urban Sketching Workshop

Level One: Observer

"I love the idea of sketching but don't know where to start."

Focus: Overcoming the Blank Page & Essential Geometry Designed for the "Engaged Beginner," this session strips away the intimidation of urban sketching. Learn to see the world not as "houses and bridges," but as a series of interlocking shapes and perspectives.

Core Skills: Linear perspective, simplified architectural geometry, and the "First Mark" confidence.
The Outcome: You will move past the fear of the white page and learn to capture the structural "bones" of Amsterdam with a clean, confident line.

Book Level 1: Observer Session

Level Two: Storyteller

“I am comfortable drawing but want to add depth and life to my sketches."

Focus: Creating Depth through Color, Contrast and Shadow
For those who have mastered basic shapes but find their sketches feel "flat." We move into the realm of the Dutch Masters, studying how light falls across brick and water. We learn to use value (darks and lights) to create a three-dimensional sense of place.

Core Skills: Shading, washes, and building color techniques, understanding light sources, and creating a "focal point" through contrast.
The Outcome: Your sketches will gain weight and depth, transforming from simple drawings into atmospheric records of a specific moment in time.

Book Level 2: Storyteller Session

Level Three: Visionary

Book Level 3: Visionary Tour

“I can handle ink and watercolor but want to better express my experience and viewpoint.

Focus: Advanced Composition & The Artist's Voice Visual storytelling for the experienced sketcher. Move beyond "copying what we see" and begin to interpret the scene. We focus on complex layered compositions—incorporating moving figures, water reflections, and the "shorthand" required to capture a city.

Core Skills: High-speed gesture drawing, advanced color theory, and intentional "editing" of a scene for maximum impact.
The Outcome: Develop a cohesive "shorthand" and personal style. Build an archive of sketches that feel like a curated professional portfolio.

Beyond the Levels: The Bespoke Session

The ultimate investment in your creative evolution. This is not a customized walk; it is a private curriculum meticulously designed to meet your exact artistic goals. Whether you are looking to master a specific medium, polish a professional portfolio, or overcome a long-standing creative plateau, I personally craft every detail of this intensive partnership.

What Makes a Bespoke Masterclass Exceptional?

Pre-Session Consultation: We begin with a private concept development call to define your goals and align them with the "Engaged Observer" framework.
1-on-1 Technical Coaching: Receive dedicated instruction on the most challenging aspects of the craft, such as complex perspective, atmospheric watercolor washes, or architectural shorthand.
Guaranteed Studio Review: We dedicate time during the session for immediate work review and personalized feedback, ensuring you leave with a clear action plan for your art.
Curated Atmosphere: I hand-pick locations and timing to ensure the light and subjects align perfectly with your curriculum (e.g., mastering reflections during a rainy-day "Wet Media" intensive).
Post-Session Mentorship: You receive a personalized resource guide and a follow-up digital portfolio review to ensure your progress continues long after you leave Amsterdam.

Investment: Starts at €800 for a 5-hour masterclass (Up to four people).

Start Designing Your Custom Curriculum