Join Me For An Art Course In Greece April 23rd – 30th, 2025

As I gaze out into the winter storm from my studio here in Galway, I allow my mind to drift to scenes of sunsets and sundowners in Greece in only a few months’ time. Exactly five months from now your hostess Sue Wake and I will welcome creative souls from all over the world to Sue’s little country hotel on the Greek east coast to make magic memories, then capture them in their concertina sketchbooks over the course of a week. Hotel Lagou Raxi in Lafkos is in the Pelion region of Greece, and is perched on a hill overlooking the sparkling blue sea of the Aegean, the rocky coast of the Greek mainland and the surrounding archipelago.

I can’t wait to immerse myself in sunshine, ink and watercolour, surrounded by like-minded friends who are as passionate about capturing their holidays on paper as I am. We meet on Wednesday 23rd April — just as it’s getting properly warm, but before it’s sweltering – and get right into it. If you want someone to teach you how to be an artist, then I have good news for you. You already know how to do that. But if you want someone to teach you how to actually draw and paint really well, I am your woman. And how to capture the moment – that’s kind of my specialty. But don’t take my word for it. I’ll add a few testimonials at the end of this piece.

It will be my first time in this part of Greece, but every time I open a sketchbook from previous trips to Greece I see that they hold the key to unlock the feeling of being there.

Like this sketch of a typical Greek meal: the salads so tasty, the beer so refreshing, the company so convivial…I’ll show you how to make light, fresh sketches of the delicious Greek food you’ll be enjoying.

I am obsessed with immersing myself in the sea, but less so being cold. That’s why this sketch takes me back to a morning before anyone else was awake, and my own private swim in the salty water. Think of how a memory like this will make you feel when you turn to it once again in the dead of winter.

The view from a favourite restaurant, in an impossibly romantic setting. I can smell the delicious aromas of lunch cooking, see the friendly dog snoozing on its side in the shade, hear the sound of children playing at the water’s edge…and that will be me and my students in the not-too-distant future. I will show you how to capture shadows – and therefore sunlight – in a foolproof and practical way that’s accessible to everyone.

Ink and watercolour is incredibly convenient as a medium and allows you to capture a scene in an instant, like this fifteen-minute sketch I did (well, it’s mostly water!) I will show you how to capture something as simple and as evocative as these little boats bobbing in the sun, and quickly, too.

Over the course of seven days you will rest and relax, immerse yourself in art and learn more than you dreamed possible under my guidance and tuition. Come with a friend, or alone for an even better experience – you’ll be amongst instant friends, and my workshops are always full of fun, laughter and learning.

SketchPockets

Have you been thinking of buying a SketchPocket? They are now ready for pre-order, to be sent out in the next week to their new homes all over the world. I only have a few left this side of Christmas, but there will be plenty more in the New Year, in time for our sketching adventures next year. Imagine taking it with you to Greece and using it wherever you go, to capture scenes and make those magic memories of your time in the South Pelion.

Special Offer

For the next THREE people who book their place in Lagou Raxi with me next April, I will offer a FREE GIFT of a Zig Zag Hahnemühle concertina sketchbook and bring it with me for you on the first day. They are in the 5.5″ X 5.5″ (14cm X 14cm) size. That means you have one less thing to worry about – no need to buy a sketchbook for the course as I will bring it for you. I will also bring a small surprise for everyone who books their trip to Lagou Raxi – I don’t know what yet but I always have nice things for my fellow art lovers! Don’t delay – head to the link below…

Testimonials

Here are a few thoughts from people who have attended classes of mine. There are rather a few here so make yourself cosy…

• Róisín changed my outlook on art. I started learning how to use watercolor during the pandemic and wasn’t pleased with what I was doing. I took one class from her and was amazed. I am now proud to say that I don’t go anywhere without a sketchbook and fude pen. Debra, USA

• Róisín is an exceptional teacher. She is able to not only demonstrate how to make beautiful art, but also to make her students confident in their ability to be artists. She teaches her students how to see, create and fly. Hillary, USA

• I have studied with Róisín Cure online for nearly two years and attended one in-person workshops. I have learned and grown so much through her lessons. She has a wonderful gift of teaching and helping one to feel successful. She is also a marvelous storyteller and makes classes so enjoyable and fun. I cannot recommend her classes enough! Cathy T, USA

• Les cours de Róisín sont incroyables. Nous apprenons tellement, car elle est une prof et une mentore sans pareille. Christine, Canada

• Róisín is an encyclopedia of experience and knowledge, she can draw and paint absolutely everything. When teaching she guides you in detail through her thought process and shows you step by step not only how but why and of course what with. I found her tips on indicating light and tones particularly valuable – so many techniques. I now feel confident out there doing my own plein air work Cathy F, UK

• I look at Róisín’s work as the pinnacle of what I was aiming at, with no expectation of reaching that level. But I soon found that Róisín was not just a successful author, but one of the most warm, capable and enthusiastic teachers that I could hope to meet. As a result, my technique, ability and confidence for “out and about” sketching took a significant leap upwards and I feel that I have also gained a sketching friend. Five star teaching, plus plus! Nick, UK

• With her meticulous, clear and creative instructions I have become more confident in venturing out into “the wild” to explore, draw and paint what is around me. Mersina, Australia

• I became less precious about sketching and in this in turn dramatically improved my drawing and watercolour skills. Margaret, Ireland

• Thank you with my whole heart! You guided me through a veritable sea of boredom. Daniela, USA and Italy

• Sketching and painting with Róisín is truly freeing for your Artist soul. Beware! It is completely addicting in the most wonderful ways ever imagined! Kathy, USA

• It’s rare to encounter such a skilled instructor with a sense of humor that encourages the most timid sketchers towards success & greater confidence! Barbara, USA

• With Róisín’s choice of subject, positive attention to work in progress and constant encouragement to keep going, I gained in confidence and skill. More importantly I discovered the pleasures of making watercolour art. Anne, Ireland

• I have been a student of Róisin Curé for just over one year. I was intrigued by her complex beach drawing and wondered if I would ever be able to accomplish something similar? I made an attempt to follow along and I was absolutely astonished by the outcome! Róisin’s teaching approach is relaxed, inspirational and captures your attention. The methodology of her teaching skills are of excellent standard and very easy to follow even for a very complex drawing – an absolute dream come true. Loretta, South Africa and UK

• Roisin makes every lesson fun and so interesting, with a wonderful, personal connection. You learn by doing everything alongside her – the best way to learn! Eileen, USA

• Róisín has helped me learn to translate everyday scenes into my sketchbook and shares her methods generously with her pupils. Gráinne, Ireland

• Roisin’s teaching style is unique. Roisin breaks learning down so it’s easy to follow her. I think anyone no matter what age will definitely enjoy learning under Roisin’s excellent tuition. Elaine, UK

• I like the colors you use, each color goes very well together. I also like the size of the drawing not being too big – for the first time in my life, draw almost every day! Nicole, France

• Róisín is a wonderful teacher. Róisín is 100% real and has a keen sense of place and story coupled with her directness and humour. Annett, Germany

• Roisin is a highly talented artist, teacher and raconteur. I credit Roisin with teaching me both to draw and paint, with all the tiny details which make your sketches come to life. Roisin is generous, warm and funny to learn from, so if you are considering a course with her, just do it, you won’t regret it. Gina, UK

• Your classes are a step by step concept which lead to immediate success and I can use the technics later in my own sketches. Thank you so much! Meike, Germany

• Dès l’instant où vous commencez un cours avec l’une des meilleures dessinatrices urbaines au monde, Róisín Curé, vous savez que vous allez vivre un régal magique! / From the moment you take a class with one of the world’s best urban sketchers, Róisín Curé, you know you’re in for a magical treat! DeeDee, Canada

• Just go out there and enjoy sketching without worrying about how it will turn out or who is looking on! I carry my sketchbook with me now everywhere I go – just in case! Thanks Roisin for all your teaching and guidance. Evelyn, Ireland

• My discovery of Roísín helped me develop my skills and a sense of having my own style. Loads of fun from a teacher who is also a wonderful story teller. Siobhan, Australia and USA

• I have attended several painting and sketching courses with Roisin Cure. She has always been a most attentive and constructive teacher with endless patience and a superb understanding of students learning needs. John, Ireland

To Book Your Place

The best thing to do is go directly to the website of Hotel Lagou Raxi. There you can see this lovely place and some of the amenities it has to offer. Read it through at your leisure – and then check your diary! https://lagouraxi.com/concertina-sketchbooks/

I look forward very much indeed to meeting you and sharing my expertise in magic-memory-making with you!