Urban sketching courses in Basel

Every great artist starts by learning to see.

Drawing is much more than putting pencil to paper. It’s the foundation of almost every visual art form—the skill that teaches you to observe, understand and interpret the world around you.

In this six-week foundation course, you’ll develop the most important artistic ability of all: seeing like an artist. Together we’ll explore observation, proportion, perspective, light, shadow, composition and form while learning how to transform the three-dimensional world around us into convincing drawings.

Every week introduces new concepts through demonstrations, structured exercises and practical projects that gradually build your confidence. Rather than simply learning how to copy what you see, you’ll discover why objects look the way they do—and how artists simplify, analyse and reconstruct them on paper.

Drawing is often described as the language of visual art. Whether you dream of becoming a painter, illustrator, designer, sculptor or simply want to draw with confidence, the skills you develop here will support everything you create afterwards.

If you’ve ever thought “I can’t draw,” this course is here to change your mind. With the right guidance and plenty of practice, you’ll soon discover that drawing isn’t a talent reserved for a few—it’s a skill that anyone can learn.

✏️ What to Expect

• A comprehensive six-week introduction to drawing
• Weekly guidance from a professional artist
• Live demonstrations introducing essential drawing techniques
• Structured exercises that gradually build your observation and drawing skills
• Plenty of individual drawing time with personal feedback
• A relaxed and encouraging studio environment where curiosity and experimentation are always welcome

🧠 What You’ll Learn

• How to observe like an artist
• Shape, proportion and perspective
• Light, shadow and creating three-dimensional form
• Line quality, values and texture
• Composition and visual storytelling
• The universal drawing principles that support every artistic medium

🤔 Is This Course Right for Me?
Absolutely.
Whether you’ve never held a pencil with artistic intention before or you’d like to build a stronger creative foundation before exploring painting, illustration or other artistic disciplines, this course is the ideal place to begin.
The skills you’ll develop here won’t just improve your drawings—they’ll change the way you observe the world and support every creative step that follows.

Rich colours. Timeless techniques. Paintings that only get more beautiful with time.

There’s a reason the world’s greatest masterpieces were painted in oils. Rich colours, incredibly smooth blending, luminous light effects and the freedom to keep refining your work make oil painting one of the most rewarding artistic mediums to learn.

In this four-week course, you’ll discover everything you need to start painting with confidence. Whether you’ve never touched a tube of oil paint before or would like to build a stronger foundation, we’ll guide you through the essential techniques step by step.

Unlike acrylic paint, oils stay workable for much longer, giving you time to blend colours seamlessly, soften transitions and gradually build beautiful layers. Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to mix colours, understand light and shadow, work with brushes, palette knives and painting mediums, and create paintings with depth, atmosphere and personality.

Every class combines live demonstrations with plenty of hands-on painting time, allowing you to immediately apply what you’ve learned while receiving individual guidance from your instructor. Along the way, you’ll also become familiar with the materials, tools and studio practices that artists have used for centuries.

✏️ What to Expect

• A carefully structured four-week learning journey
• Weekly guidance from a professional artist
• Live demonstrations introducing each new topic
• Plenty of individual painting time with personal feedback
• Practical tips, techniques and professional workflows
• A relaxed, encouraging atmosphere where you can experiment and grow

🧠 What You’ll Learn

• Colour mixing and the unique properties of oil paint
• Brushwork, palette knife techniques and painting mediums
• Creating depth through light, shadow and colour
• Layering techniques and understanding drying times
• Choosing the right materials for your artistic goals
• Building confidence to continue painting independently

🤔 Is This Course Right for Me?
Absolutely.
Whether you’re completely new to oil painting or would like to revisit the fundamentals with professional guidance, this course offers the perfect introduction to one of history’s most celebrated artistic mediums.

Crash. Curl. Colour. A wave comes alive on canvas.
In this semi-guided textured session, you’ll ride the swell — a giant wave rising from the sea, ready to tumble and curl. Using modelling paste and paint, you’ll build layers of frothy foam, dynamic water movement, and the energy of the ocean captured in bold, sculpted strokes. Think drama, texture, and a playful sense of motion in every crest and curl.

No experience needed — just a love for texture, colour, and a bit of creative adventure. You’ll leave with a tactile, vibrant seascape that’s bursting with energy, movement, and watery wonder.


✨ How PIE Semi-Guided Workshops Run
You arrive, take a breath, pick your welcome drink and settle into your spot at the table where the magic will happen. We start on time, so make sure you`re there and ready to dive in.

Next, your instructor takes the stage, giving you a quick, easy intro to the materials — a clear theme and technique to start with – think of them as your creative launchpad. From there, it’s all about what you do with it.

Then the fun really begins. Our instructors are there to show you the essentials, share tips, and keep you inspired… but the real magic happens when you dive into your own creative waters ;) Follow the guidance closely or take a playful detour – both paths are perfect.
It’s the ideal balance of support and self-expression: enough structure to feel confident, enough freedom to surprise yourself. A little deeper, a little more intentional, and always a lot of fun.

Splash. Drip. Splatter. Then… Glow.
Looking for a creative experience that’s energetic, expressive and unlike anything you’ve tried before?

Our Neon Action Painting Workshop combines the freedom and excitement of Action Painting with the spectacular world of fluorescent colours and UV light, creating abstract artworks that transform before your eyes.

After a short introduction, your instructor will guide the group through a series of Action Painting techniques while explaining the artistic principles behind strong abstract compositions. You’ll explore layering, movement, colour relationships, texture and composition as your painting gradually develops over approximately two hours. Rather than following a predefined design, every splash, brushstroke and creative decision becomes the inspiration for the next, allowing your artwork to evolve naturally from one moment to another.

Action Painting is an intuitive creative journey. Every mark on the canvas invites a new response, creating a continuous process of experimenting, observing and building upon what has already emerged. Throughout the workshop, you’ll work with a wide variety of paints, bottles, brushes, palette knives, rollers and other creative tools while your instructor demonstrates techniques, shares artistic insights and offers individual guidance whenever you need it.

And then the magic begins.

As the studio lights fade and the UV lights come to life, your painting reveals an entirely new personality. Fluorescent colours begin to glow, hidden details suddenly appear, and layers you barely noticed under daylight transform into vibrant, luminous compositions. What felt exciting before suddenly becomes immersive.

No two paintings will ever look alike. While everyone explores the same techniques together, each participant follows their own creative path, discovering a unique balance between spontaneity, intuition and artistic intention.

Whether you’re looking to switch off after a busy week, celebrate with friends or simply experience painting in a completely different way, the Neon Action Painting Workshop combines creative freedom, artistic guidance and an unforgettable visual spectacle unlike any other workshop.

You’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind artwork that tells two stories—one in daylight, and another that only comes alive under UV light.
https://shop.paintiteasy.ch/en/tickets/terms

In this atmospheric acrylic painting session, we step into the quiet of late October — where a golden forest glows in shades of yellow and amber, slowly dissolving into cool mist.
A winding river cuts through the scene, reflecting soft blues and muted purples, turning warmth into something fleeting, gentle, and almost dreamlike.

This piece is all about mood and contrast. You’ll explore how to balance warm autumn tones with cool, foggy hues — letting them blend, fade, and softly collide on the canvas. We’ll guide you through creating that misty, airy depth, where edges disappear and the landscape feels distant and calm.

At the same time, we’ll play with texture versus softness — combining subtle, blended backgrounds with more expressive, tactile touches in the trees and foreground. You’ll learn how to suggest detail without overworking it, keeping the painting loose, atmospheric, and full of feeling.

Perfect for anyone who loves quiet landscapes, autumn colours, and that slightly melancholic beauty of the changing season. Soft, glowing, and gently fading — like autumn exhaling into winter. 🍂✨

Soft strokes. Gentle breeze. Pink perfection in motion.
Step into a world where pink blooms float on silver light, and your paintbrush moves like a breeze across the canvas. This dreamy floral scene is all about delicate motion — layered neutrals, elegant highlights, and blossoms that feel like they’re swaying in slow motion.

We’ll guide you through a soothing, brushstroke-by-brushstroke painting session where calm meets colour. Expect a palette of earthy tones, silvery glow, and of course, that signature splash of pink — like nature dressed up for a Sunday brunch.

No stress, no rush. Just soft vibes, smooth blends, and a piece that’s as serene as it is striking. By the end, you’ll have a floral painting that’s all elegance with just enough whimsy to hang proudly.