Watercolour Course for Intermediate and Advanced Painters
– an Immersive Creative Experience with Pigment, Water and Paper
Place: Garden of Lemons, Andalusia, Spain
- May 5 – 12, 2028
- Price: 1.450 €
- Accompanying guest: 1.000 €
“Treat yourself to a week in which watercolour, nature, creativity, and relaxation come together in perfect harmony.“
This watercolour course is designed for artists who already have a solid foundation in the medium and are ready to deepen their skills, develop their personal style, and find fresh creative inspiration. Perhaps you have previously joined one of my courses at Garden of Lemons or in Denmark and are now ready to take your painting to the next level.
Join me at the beautiful Garden of Lemons, in the heart of Andalusia, where we will immerse ourselves in the endless possibilities of watercolour, surrounded by inspiring landscapes, extraordinary light, and a peaceful atmosphere.
Together, we will explore advanced composition and refine techniques such as wet-on-wet painting, layering, tonal values, and contrast. Through a series of inspiring exercises, we will investigate the creative process while allowing space for both focused practice and artistic freedom.
The course offers plenty of time to experiment, work independently, and draw inspiration from the stunning natural surroundings. It combines guided exercises, demonstrations, individual feedback and mentoring, group discussions, and dedicated time for personal projects.
Throughout the week, you will receive creative prompts, practical guidance, and constructive group feedback to support your artistic development and encourage you to work with greater confidence and intention.
This international course welcomes participants from a range of countries and backgrounds. All teaching, demonstrations, discussions, and course materials are conducted in English, creating an inspiring and inclusive learning environment.
Pia graduated from the Funen Art Academy in 1993. Over the past 35 years, she has made a strong mark on the art scene with her energetic, colour-rich abstract works. Her passion and talent for working with light and depth are particularly evident in her paintings.
Her works are at once calm and balanced, while also conveying a powerful temperament. Since completing her education in 1993, she has exhibited extensively in Denmark and abroad, primarily in galleries in Chicago and Oslo between 2000 and 2020.
For the past 15 years, she has also devoted herself to watercolour painting, which, as she says herself, complements her work with acrylics exceptionally well.
In addition to her work as a practising artist, Pia has taught and guided others in creative processes for the past 35 years.
See and read more about Pia at: www.pia-brix.dk
The course is held at Garden of Lemons, a retreat for people seeking inspiration, tranquillity and time for reflection in beautiful surroundings. Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada between Granada and the Mediterranean, the centre is tucked away from the usual tourist routes and surrounded by lush greenery all year round.
Being here is a truly sensory experience. Every month brings its own scents and colours, beginning with the almond trees blossoming in early spring
The course is suitable for everyone, from complete beginners to experienced painters. Each participant has their own table and parasol. Depending on the weather, we paint both indoors and outdoors.
It’s also an ideal opportunity for couples to travel together, even if only one of you is taking part in the painting course, as there are plenty of other activities to enjoy besides painting.
“I was encouraged to push my boundaries, and Pia challenged my safe, old way of painting watercolours—in the best possible way. Pia teaches to a very high professional standard, and she is an excellent teacher and educator. I wholeheartedly recommend her.”
Lene S., participant in Andalusia, 2022
“Pia is a passionate artist and teacher who guides you through various exercises in the challenging art of watercolour painting with a gentle yet firm hand. Tireless and inspiring, she praises you for what you achieve and gently encourages you to move on to the next thing you need to learn—that’s Pia. There is also plenty of room for a good laugh. It is a wonderful course, and I highly recommend it.”
Helene D., participant in Andalusia, 2023
“The watercolour course at Garden of Lemons in May 2022 with Pia Brix Thomsen was so fantastic that I immediately signed up for the same course in 2023 as soon as registration opened.
I was encouraged to push my boundaries, and Pia challenged my safe, old way of painting watercolours—in the best possible way. Pia teaches to a very high professional standard, and she is an excellent teacher and educator. I wholeheartedly recommend her.
I should also add that it was a week filled with:
– Lots of wonderful conversations and laughter
– Experiences for the taste buds—as every day, Henrik and Ingo created the most wonderful and exciting food
– Fascinating experiences and exciting excursions in Andalusia, arranged by our two lovely hosts
– The joy of being at the beautiful Garden of Lemons”
Mette D, participant on the course at Garden of Lemons, 2022
The food and meals at Garden of Lemons are among the highlights of a stay here. We set the tables beneath the old olive trees or in the garden orangery, where our guests enjoy coming together to share wonderful, seasonal food prepared with produce harvested from our large vegetable gardens.
Our cuisine is characterised by delicious, refined food—most often vegetarian—prepared using simple techniques. Aromas, flavours, colours and varied textures come together to create delicious, heavenly bites. We use fresh ingredients and make everything from scratch, generously incorporating our own extra-virgin olive oil, seasoned salts, spices from around the world, lemons and capers. Together, these ingredients create wonderful bites that appeal to all the senses.
Henrik Vilain and Ingo Schauser have published five cookbooks: LEMONS (2000), OLIVES & OLIVE OIL (2021), AVOCADO (2022), TOMATOES (2023) and ONIONS (2025), all published by Muusmann Publishers in Copenhagen.
All five books have been translated into German and published in Germany by Jacoby & Stuart, which received the German Publishing Award in 2022.
“Henrik’s food is incomparable—so beautiful that it deserves to be written about in books and made into films.”
“Can food be art? In this case, yes! All the senses are engaged when enjoying the wonderful food from Henrik and Ingo’s kitchen at Garden of Lemons.”
“The recipes from the kitchen at Garden of Lemons are creative and innovative. Simple combinations create unexpected flavours that play the most wonderful ‘music’ on the palate, creating a perfect harmony that turns every meal into an adventure inspired by international cuisine. The food is artistic—a symphony of colours that makes it almost a shame to eat it!”
“Each dish was an experience in aroma, flavour, colour and perfect texture. Never in my life have I eaten so well.”
“An entirely unexpected delight was the incredible food Henrik and Ingo prepared at Garden of Lemons during our stay. Henrik has a unique ability to bring together local ingredients and create varied and delicious meals. Every meal was a feast for the senses.”
“Fantastic, imaginative and flavourful food featuring avocado, herbs and lemons.”
Prices:
Course participant: 1.450 €
Accompanying guest: 1.000 €
Included in the price
- Transfers between Málaga Airport and Garden of Lemons
- Accommodation in a shared twin room at the hotel in the village, a 15-minute walk from Garden of Lemons
- Full board according to the daily programme:
- Breakfast and lunch every day
- Five dinners at Garden of Lemons
- One dinner at Los Naranjos restaurant, including drinks
- One guided tour of the gardens at Garden of Lemons
- One introductory tour of the village
- One walk/inspiration tour in the surrounding area
- Six days of tuition
Not included in the price
- Flights
- Optional excursion to Granada (€40)
- One dinner at a restaurant in Granada
- Drinks, which can be purchased at reasonable prices
Supplements
- Supplement for a single room at the hotel: 190 €
- Supplement for a twin room at the retreat centre: 190 €
- Supplement for a single room at the retreat centre: 400 €
-
Registration and information
For information about food and accommodation:
gardenoflemons@gmail.comTelephone:
Ingo: +34 652 034 348
Henrik: +34 605 979 494Ingo and Henrik can also be reached via WhatsApp, FaceTime and Skype.
For questions about the course programme and materials, please contact Pia Brix-Thomsen at:
piabrixart@gmail.com
