ALGARVE IN
WATERCOLOR
✨ Ready to dive deep into watercolour with me in sunny Olhão? ✨
By the end of June 2025, we’ll kick off our watercolor painting sessions! Join us for the most enjoyable course in a beautiful – and cool 😉 – space in downtown Olhão!
BARCOS DE OLHÃO
29 June or 6 July | 14.00-18.30 | 1-day afternoon course
Watercolor can be tricky — but oh-so-rewarding once you finally “get it.”
These aren’t a splash-it-anywhere kind of workshops, but a relaxed and focused space to learn, observe, and grow. Perfect for anyone who wants to see differently and bring that vision to paper.
🎨 Barcos de Olhão (Boats of Olhão) — 29 June & 6 July
🕒 4.5 hours (includes a 30-minute pause)
👩🎨 Max 6 places for close guidance
💶 Price: 95€ inclusive materials: paper and paints.
Just bring two watercolor brushes — details will follow!
If you want a relaxed but serious space to learn, observe, and grow your skills — this is for you.
I’ll teach you the foundations and techniques, step-by-step. It’s not easy, but with dedication and patience, the results are magical.
Above: watercolour study of the boats resting at the coast in Burgau, Algarve
While this particular scene is from the west coast of the Algarve, in the village of Burgau, these kinds of small fishing boats can be found all along the region — including right here in Olhão. They’re a typical sight on the Algarvian shoreline and make a fantastic subject for watercolor: their sun-faded colors, weathered textures, and quiet presence on the water are ideal for exploring light, shape, and atmosphere with the brush. During the course, we’ll be working with similar local scenes — the kind we can study just by stepping right outside the studio space 😉
I’ll also teach you to love working with a big brush and using bold, confident strokes — so your paintings stay fresh, expressive, and not overworked!
Portas e Janelas de Olhão
5 July | 14.00-18.30 | 1-day afternoon course
🎨 Portas e Janelas (Doors and Windows) — 5 July
🕒 4.5 hours (includes a 30-minute pause)
👩🎨 Max 6 places for close guidance
💶 Price: 95€ inclusive materials: paper and paints.
Just bring two watercolor brushes — details will follow!
We’re based in a beautiful space right in downtown Olhão, kindly hosted by the charming shop Pinta Roxa:
Av. 5 de Outubro 28, 8700-302 Olhão, Portugal
Above: watercolour study of the window in Faro, Cidade Velha.
Past watercolor painting courses
Over the past years, I’ve led several watercolor painting courses where I shared the foundations of working with this expressive medium — from creating strong contrasts and building dynamic compositions, to mixing colors with confidence and keeping details to a minimum. The goal has always been to achieve a clear yet loose result that captures the essence of a motif in a fresh and captivating way.
Curious about how these sessions have looked in the past? Here you’ll find an overview of previous courses and impressions: past courses.
Your fellow painter and course host in this watercolor adventure.
I’m Grażyna Ostrowska, the guide and creator behind Lighthouse Courses and Faro & Olhão Sketchwalks.
Recently located in Faro, I immersed myself many times in the beauty of both places, and painted it en plein-air!
To find out more about my artistic practice, please visit the about page or my artistic website Grażyna Ostrowska | Artist.
STAY CONNECTED!
Follow along on Instagram for sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes moments, and updates on the Faro Sketchwalks.
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Last updated: May 2025
Your Guide to Olhão Sketchwalks
I’m Grażyna Ostrowska, the guide and creator behind Lighthouse Courses and Faro & Olhão Sketchwalks.
Based now in Faro, I have painted en plein-air on both locations frequently.
For a whole month, I painted a new piece of Faro every day—whether on location, en plein-air, or back in my studio in Cologne, using photo references. This project was all about exploring Faro’s vibrant colours, captivating shapes, and, most importantly, its magical LIGHT! The light here is unlike anywhere else, and it deeply influenced every piece I created. Sketching was my guide through this journey, helping me discover the perfect compositions and motifs that truly capture the essence of Faro’s glow.
The experience deepened my connection with the city and its surroundings, and it’s this intimate knowledge and emotional bond that I bring to every Faro Sketchwalk. On these walks, I’ll share my love for this city, showing you the beauty I’ve come to see through my eyes and my art.
For more about my artistic practice, you can read more on my about page!
