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.

A glimpse into how Lighthouse feels:

A short film capturing the spirit of Lighthouse — art, walking, and working from life in the Algarve.

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.

Scheduled for 2026: Watercolour Winter Weekends and WEST ALGARVE ART ESCAPE !

A few impressions from our beginnings — a look back at scenes 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 scene from our 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 shared creative energy made this experience truly special!

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.

The testimonial here is from one of the very first participants.
It reflects the initial phase of Lighthouse Arcourses — when the format was still forming, and the core questions were already present.

The Essence of My Sessions

The aim is not just to teach drawing or painting
It is to slow down, sharpen perception, and stay present long enough for something real to emerge.
The resulting work — and its development over time — can be found in the Past Courses.

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 working between light, colour, and the changing rhythms of the Algarve.
While my own artistic practice evolves primarily around oil painting, the passion for watercolour is what I share with people coming to Lighthouse.
As a teaching medium, it allows us to work directly from life — attentive, mobile, and fully present.
It is also ideally suited for en plein air work and travelling light.

Watercolour doesn’t wait.
Once the brush touches the paper, it demands quick choices, trust in the moment, and the courage to let go. Working this way sharpens perception and pulls you out of overthinking and back into seeing — light shifting, colours bleeding, forms finding their place.

It’s focused, honest, and quietly joyful.