Bruges, Belgium. Photo by Elijah G. 

 

Setting Sail with the Masters
When thinking of a painting workshop, a river cruise doesn’t typically come to mind. Yet, a floating contemporary workshop on the canals of Holland and Belgium was selected as the perfect setting to combine art history, painting and a unique cultural experience. When Quang Ho and Adrienne Stein approached Workshops In France to organize their fourth art retreat with the company, they suggested an art cruise. What resulted was an art odyssey aboard the Ama Stella, a first-class river cruiser transporting through the waterways of Holland and Belgium. With a focus on the Dutch Masters, the journey is a deep-dive into the influences and inspirations behind artists like Rembrandt, Vermeer and van Gogh. The workshop blends luxury travel and art instruction with painting, creating an unforgettable voyage. 

The Ama Stella river cruise, which takes passengers through the waterways of Holland and Belgium. 

 

Old World Meets Modern Masters
Modern master artists Ho and Stein, with their impressive resumes of awards, solo shows and museum exhibitions, will be at the helm guiding the artists through ten days of plein air painting and discovering the Dutch Masters. Guests will have the opportunity to watch the instructors demonstrating landscapes and giving feedback sessions. All will participate in guerrilla sketching in the landscape and cities that shaped the artistic heritage through time. 

“We are so excited to experience this new format of a ‘floating’ workshop. It will be fascinating to see Holland and Belgium from this unique perspective, making many stops to see the treasures of Dutch and Flemish art history first-hand, and paint in various towns,” says Stein. 

Amsterdam, Netherlands. Photo by Nastya Dulhiier.

 

Amsterdam: First Port of Inspiration

The program launches at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam two days before the cruise with a private reception followed by an exclusive tour. Since Rembrandt’s The Night Watch is currently undergoing a historical restoration at the museum, guests will get an up close view of this masterpiece as it is being cleaned. 

“It will be a thrilling time to view this iconic painting,” Stein adds. 

The painting’s original title was The Militia Company of District II Under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq. Its acquired name, The Night Watch, is due to the varnish darkening over time, leading viewers to believe that it was literally a nocturne painting. As the old varnish is being removed, observers are seeing the true brilliant bright colors that Rembrandt used, revealing its original luminosity. 

Adrienne Stein, Swan Fantasy III, oil on canvas, 36 x 36” (91 x 91 cm)

 

The following day the group visits the Van Gogh Museum for a luncheon and a comprehensive viewing of the world’s largest collection of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings. Most artists visiting the museum view it as a pilgrimage. The work is not only visually compelling, but the museum has included the letters between brothers Vincent and Theo, revealing insights into Vincent’s nature, thought process and emotional struggles. 

Sketchbooks on the Waterways

Once aboard the Ama Stella, the workshop sets sail for seven full days of cruising through the Delta and inland waterways. Each port of call along the journey offers a new vignette of Dutch and Belgian life, as well as insight into the Masters’ history. The itinerary was selected for not only inspiration but time on shore for painting opportunities, including sketching windmills and canals or absorbing centuries of art history. From Amsterdam, the ship will chart a course to Utrecht, allowing guests to enjoy morning demonstrations by Ho and Stein and watch the idyllic landscape float by. From the harbor in Utrecht, a short journey inland leads to Castle de Haar, the largest castle in the Netherlands, known for its dramatic towers and manicured gardens. With easels set in the castle grounds, the day offers grandeur and visual drama for painting in plein air. 

Adrienne Stein conducts a demonstration during a 2022 Scotland workshop with Quang Ho.

 

Painting in Hellevoetsluis and Beyond
After an evening of dining, art talk and social activities, the Ama Stella sets sail at midnight to Hellevoetsluis. The artists will wake up to painting this medieval harbor town and the canal embankments lined with barges. The ongoing itinerary provides vistas of scenic places to paint such as windmills, cobbled streets, gabled houses and centuries-old churches. The three cities on the itinerary after Amsterdam are Bruges, Brussels and Antwerp. Each is distinct, offering its own character for paintings and cultural heritage. 

Bruges: A Day in the Venice of the North

Painting in Bruges is found on many artist’s bucket list. Bruges, the capital of Flanders in Belgium’s northwest region is a UNESCO World Heritage City famed for its iconic Gothic architecture, winding canals and medieval vibe. Known as the “Venice of the North,” artists can step back in time and explore its medieval streets, waterfronts and bridges, stopping to sketch or do quick studies. A must-see is Michelangelo’s masterpiece Madonna and Child in the Museum of the Church of Our Lady. 

A Cultural Takeover in Brussels

If Bruges exudes romantic history, Brussels has a vibe that combines Baroque opulence with modern energy. Brussels, the de facto capital and parliamentary seat of the European Union, is where we plan a cultural takeover as the artists have a paint-out in the Grand-Place plaza, the perfect location for guerilla sketching conducted from terraced cafés, quiet corners and side streets. One thousand years ago the Grand-Place served as the city’s marketplace and today it is a 17th-century Baroque open square for events and commerce.

Quang Ho helps an artist attendee during a workshop in Scotland. 

 

Rubens and Diamonds in Antwerp
On to Antwerp, the city of diamonds, and Rubens for more culture and creativity. Sketching at the Grote-Market or visiting the Cathedral of Our Lady to see their Rubens collection will satisfy any artists’ appetite. For those looking to go shopping, the Diamond District provides all the things shiny. And speaking of sparkle, the artists could opt for the palatial Antwerpen-Centraal, named the most beautiful train station in the world. With its steel and glass structure, it is an appealing subject, full of luminosity and ideal for people-watching. 

Final Stops: Dordrecht and Kinderdijk

Sailing back to the Netherlands, the ship stops at Dordrecht, Holland’s oldest city. From here the guests paint in Delfshaven and then take a side tour to Kinderdijk, a remarkable village with Holland’s largest concentration of traditional windmills. Kinderdijk is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fun fact: The Pilgrim Fathers boarded the Speedwell in Delfshaven and sailed to England, where they transferred to the Mayflower and headed to the New World. 

Behind the Canvas
To ensure seamless logistics for Ho and Stein’s Dutch Cruise, Workshops In France sends a scouting team well in advance to check out the painting locations and amenities. Their own ninja team transports all the messy stuff: solvent, paper towels, wet painting carriers, etc., allowing the guests to focus purely on creating. This is all part of the commitment that has made them a trusted leader in international workshops, delivering around 65 retreats for over 15 years. 

The Dutch Cruise with Quang Ho and Adrienne Stein will take place July 3 to 12. Learn more about this retreat as well as Workshops In France founder Julie Snyder at workshopsinfrance.com.  —