ART & ADVENTURE ALGARVE

LIGHTHOUSE
ARTCOURSES

Welcome to LIGHTHOUSE Artcourses — where art and adventure meet on the Algarve coast.
We paint, sketch, and explore the region’s light, colours, and coastal landscapes. Each course helps you slow down, look closely, and experience the Algarve through your own creativity — from seaside towns to tidal rhythms and quiet hidden corners.

When you draw a place, you don’t just see it — you truly feel it.

Whether you’re sketching a quiet street, painting a sunlit coastline, or observing the colours around you, each session at Lighthouse is built to deepen your connection with the place. We work slowly and attentively — learning to look, to notice, and to translate atmosphere into lines and washes. It’s not just about improving technique; it’s about being present, immersing yourself in the environment, and letting the Algarve’s light guide your hand.

Our workshops blend creativity with a touch of adventure. You’ll pick up solid skills, try new ideas, and enjoy a process that’s both relaxed and inspiring. We keep things clear, friendly, and focused — the perfect atmosphere for people who love learning with intention and a bit of spark. Step out of your routine, tune into your own artistic rhythm, and create work that feels honest, fresh, and truly yours.

Our first season — 2025 — is now complete!

From Faro and Tavira Sketchwalks to painting the boats of Olhão, each session was filled with curiosity, colour, and creative energy. It’s been a beautiful beginning.

Next up: Watercolour Winter Weekends — discover the details here.

A few impressions from our first season — a look back at scenes, sketches, and shared moments.

A young man smiling while sketching at Miradouro de Santa Luzia in Lisbon, holding a pencil and enjoying the creative process.

A joyful scene from my very first Sketchwalk in Portugal! This unforgettable day in September 2021 took place at the stunning Miradouro da Santa Luzia in Lisbon. Three enthusiastic participants explore composition techniques using viewfinders, learning how to break down a landscape into shapes and create balanced sketches. The golden afternoon light, the breathtaking view over the city, and the shared creative energy made this experience truly special!

Discover more >

Sketchbook spread featuring a watercolor pencil sketch of Miradouro de Santa Luzia in Lisbon, drawn with Caran d'Ache Neocolor 2

A view from Miradouro de Santa Luzia, one of Lisbon’s most scenic spots–it captures the essence of the city’s tiled rooftops and fantastic vibrant atmosphere.

And read the testimonials

Want to hear what my student has to say about their experience? Watch this testimonial and discover how the Lighthouse course inspires creativity!

The Essence of My Sessions

My aim is not just to show you how to draw, but to inspire you to slow down, be present, and express the beauty around you—empowering you to continue your creative journey on your own. After the session, you’ll receive a PDF summary with all the techniques and tips we covered, so you can keep practicing and building on what you’ve learned!

Artist pointing at a sketchbook page during a drawing session at Miradouro de Santa Luzia in Lisbon.

About Lighthouse - A note from your host

I’m Grażyna Ostrowska, the person behind Lighthouse Artcourses – an artist living between light, colour, and the quiet rhythm of the Algarve. This place teaches you to slow down — to breathe with the tides, to notice how the day shifts, to find calm in small, steady moments.

My art grows out of that pace. It invites you to reconnect with your surroundings, to see beauty again, and to feel more grounded in a world that moves too fast. Creativity steadies us, makes us mindful, and gently reminds us to care for what we love.

When I paint, I find that same inner stillness. The more I follow the process, the more I reach a simple, honest space where real connection happens — with myself, with others, and with this coastline that keeps teaching me how to live.

If you’re curious to explore more of my painting practice, feel free to visit my artist website.