Upcoming Workshops

Master the Landscape in Stanford: A Two-Day Painting Workshop

 Date: Wednesday & Thursday, 13th & 14th May 2026
Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm daily (with a one hour lunch break)
Venue: Bramber Cottage, Queen Victoria Street, Stanford
Cost: R1500 per person
Instructors: Curt Marthezé & Tracy Algar

Unlock the Secrets to a Convincing Landscape

Join us for an immersive two-day workshop in the picturesque town of Stanford. This workshop is designed to guide you through the essential steps of translating your photograph into a successful, convincing painting. The beautiful Bramber Cottage is located just a few minutes walk from the Wandelpad with views of the river and mountains. We will enjoy a scenic stroll to capture photos and use these as composition reference back at the cottage.

What You Will Learn:

• Composition Selection: Learn how to choose a compelling composition using your own photos taken on the day as reference.
• Planning for Success: Master the use of thumbnails and value studies to create a detailed “map” and design foundation for your final artwork, improving your chances of a convincing result.
• Step-by-Step Guidance: Curt and Tracy will provide tailored guidance through the entire creative process, from initial concept to completion. Benefit from the combined expertise of two professional artists offering a broader range of perspectives and techniques.

Paint in your preferred medium: Work in oil, acrylic, gouache, or watercolour.

Bring along your preferred supplies.
A comprehensive supplies list for each medium is available.
Suitable for beginners or experienced artists who want to refine their foundational skills and approach to landscape painting. 

Note: Participants are required to bring their own art supplies and lunch.

About the instructors

Curt and Tracy distil thier experience of painting the landscape into a two-day immersion which will guide participants in visually capturing the essence of place.

 Curt is a seasoned plein air painter and art teacher who lives in the Karoo painting from life and in his studio at Kraairivier in Aberdeen, Eastern Cape. He is most fond of semi desert places and is focused on these as an immediate subject. Working predominantly in watercolours and gouache, he will provide practical guidance in these as a complimentary addition to this workshop while Tracy shares her structured approach to oil and acrylic painting,

Tracy Algar is a contemporary landscape artist whose work is defined by an intimate, observational connection to the South African landscape. For a decade, from 2014 to 2024, Tracy lived and worked in the village of Stanford, developing an extensive understanding of the Overberg’s specific light and atmosphere

Visit Tracy Algar's website here to see more of her work.

Please contact me to book.