TIME TO PAINT
with
CAMEL and SEA
Essaouira, Morocco
TUESDAY 7 April -
SATURDAY 11 April 2026
and Tuesday 20 October -
Saturday 24 October 2026
TIME TO PAINT
WITH CAMEL AND SEA
Explore Morocco creatively!
The vibrant colours of Essaouira, the unusual architectural forms and the magic of One Thousand and One Nights are waiting to be discovered and conjured up on paper in colour and line!
Drawing and painting (especially watercolour techniques) for beginners and advanced learners.
‘Dear Louis, going to Tunis should be a proper study trip, where one inspires the other.’
Paul Klee to Louis Moillet, 19 May 1913, Trip to Tunis
‘Nothing individual, only the whole. And what a whole! A thousand and one nights as an extract with ninety-nine per cent reality content.’
Paul Klee, diary, 1 April 1914, 'Tunis trip
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‘The colour has me. I don't need to reach for it. That is the happy meaning of the hour: I and the colour are one!’ -
Paul Klee, 16 April 1914, Tunis trip
Essaouira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in western Morocco, is located directly on the sea, a two-hour drive from Marrakesh.
Essaouira, also known as the white city or the ‘city of winds’, is famous for its picturesque old town, lively harbour, relaxed atmosphere and hospitality. It has always been a magnet for artists, dropouts and free thinkers.
Here we will seek out our artistic adventures in line and colour and immerse ourselves in our creative processes!
We will mainly be spending our time in the old town and on the beach, with 1-2 trips to the desert and the surrounding area planned.
As everyone books their own accommodation, it would be a good idea to have all accommodations close to each other.
One accommodation recommended by a participant is ‘La Maison du Vent’ in the medina (old town) of Essaouira. There are also many affordable and comfortable options within walking distance (bookable via booking.com or Airbnb, for example).
Here is a description of ‘Maison du Vent’ (from approx. £50/day for a double room).
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Mohamed, Artist from Marrakesh
Mohamed, a young artist from Marrakesh, is happy to act as our guide for excursions and can show us many of Essaouira's cultural and culinary highlights.
He is available for private bookings, even if someone is still interested after the seminar.
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Essakhi is a taxi driver from Marrakesh and offers taxi rides from Marrakesh to Essaouira for 1-6 people for €125.
Course schedule:
We start every day at 11:00 a.m., each day at a different enchanting, picturesque location (or we drive to one of our excursion destinations).
We start with relaxation and warm-up exercises, where we can playfully, crazily and simply leave familiar paths (and fears) behind and clear our heads.
Then I like to explain individual techniques, materials and topics of the day, see below, for those who are interested (the others can already get started).
After that, there is plenty of time for your own creations, during which I am happy to advise you individually, give you ideas and point out possible new approaches or explore them with you.
New techniques, approaches and helpful tips are taught along the way.
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At the end of our daily creative time, we review the day and look at pictures of our works.
Great importance is attached to maintaining a space that is empathetic, positive, benevolent, constructive and appreciative. This allows everyone to see their day's work with completely different eyes and gain new ideas for further work.
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We intend to close the daily rate at around 4 p.m.
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HERE'S WHAT THE WEEK COULD LOOK LIKE:​​​​​​
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Monday evening, for all participants who are already on site, optional dinner together to get to know each other and discuss the upcoming days.
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Day 1, Tuesday:
Introduction to drawing materials and techniques and, if desired, painting techniques, black and white and colour.
Drawing techniques, pencil, charcoal, graphite, chalk, paper
- The motif and its implementation
- Approaches, motif finders and other aids
- Strokes and lines, objects and surrounding space, hatching
- Further preliminary exercises
- Object and nature studies
- Own creative space
Day 2 Introduction to painting materials and techniques, watercolour and mixed media, collages
- Materials science, brushes, paints, paper
- Wet-on-dry and wet-on-wet techniques, glazing technique, layering technique, stencil technique
- Applied colour theory, colour wheel, primary, secondary and tertiary colours, the art of colour mixing
- Beach, waves, sea, object and nature studies
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Day 3 Draw houses, people, perspectives and objects quickly and easily using the Albrecht Dürer method
- Foil transfer and printing techniques for continuing with graphically or colourfully accurate templates.
- If required, introduction to perspective with one-point, two-point perspective, horizon, colour perspective, spatial illusion
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Day 4: Excursion.
Destination and content to be confirmed​
Day 5: Excursion to be agreed, free work
- Short presentation of finished works​
- Create a signpost, continue on your own path by exploring your individual artistic expression
- Motivation and appreciation session
- Conclusion ​​​​​​
Accommodation
Accommodation must be booked independently. I am happy to advise you. One option is to book via Booking.com or Airbnb. The most convenient location is in the old town near the above-mentioned accommodation.
Flight
Flights must be booked independently. There are several ways to get to Essaouira.
- Flight to Marrakesh, then train, bus or taxi to Essaouira (approx. 2 hours by car). I am happy to put you in touch with the taxi driver mentioned above.
- Flight to Agadir. From there, it is a little further than from Marrakesh
- Fly to Casablanca, which is a little further than Marrakesh.
Food
There is no point in booking full board, as we will be out and about during the day.
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Equipment
Please bring a small amount of basic equipment with you! The materials required are usually easy and inexpensive to purchase. And maybe you have your favourite equipment that you would like to bring with you.
The following materials would be good to bring with you:
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Personal items
Clothing and footwear appropriate for the location and season, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, swimming gear, sun hat, small rucksack, synthetic materials
Time commitment for the art
Approximately 5 hours per day for 5 days.
Language
The course will be conducted in German and, if necessary, English.
Course size
5-10 people.
Car hire
Not really necessary, unless you want to go out in the evening or travel comfortably from the airport to Essaouira. Participants could also get together and share the costs.
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Costs
- Seminar costs: €495
- You pay for your own flight and accommodation.
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Registration
Please register using the registration form here. You will then receive all further steps, including payment details.
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Terms of payment
Deposit of €50 upon registration.
The remaining amount is due no later than 8 weeks before the start of the course. You will receive payment details with your registration confirmation.
Cancellation
The provider reserves the right to cancel the course up to 4 weeks before the start of the course; no claims for compensation can be made. All advance payments will be refunded within 5 days.
Cancellations
If a participant cancels a course up to 5 weeks before the start of the course, the course fee paid, minus the deposit, will be refunded within 5 days. For cancellations up to 4 weeks before the start of the course, 50% of the course fees will be refunded. For cancellations less than 4 weeks before the start of the course, the payment cannot be refunded.
Insurance cover
Please arrange all necessary insurance cover yourself, e.g. travel insurance. The provider does not offer any insurance cover.
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Information
More information, background details, inspiration, additional offers: www.kunstlapalma.com
I am also happy to answer any questions you may have over the phone.
Contact
Leon: - 0034 617 167 665 Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, SMS, phone calls by arrangement,
Email: info@kunstlapalma.com
Preliminary meeting (optional)
2 weeks before the course starts via Zoom video conference.
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Course instructor
Leon, artist, art therapist, course instructor
