Teacher name: Marta Rodrigues
Teacher bio:
Marta Rodrigues is an artist and researcher dedicated to the exploration of natural pigments and traditional artistic techniques. Her practice is rooted in a deep respect for the natural world, combining ancestral knowledge with contemporary approaches to sustainable art-making.
Inspired by the landscapes of the Serra da Lousã, Marta works with locally sourced rocks, soils, and minerals to create handcrafted pigments and watercolours. Through years of experimentation, she has developed a practice that reconnects artistic creation with the rhythms and materials of nature.
As a tutor, Marta believes that learning is a hands-on, immersive experience. Her workshops guide participants through every stage of the process—from collecting raw materials in the landscape to transforming them into beautiful, artist-quality watercolours. Along the way, she shares not only practical techniques but also the history, science, and cultural significance of natural pigments.
Whether you are an artist, designer, maker, or simply curious about traditional crafts and sustainable creative practices, Marta invites you to discover the remarkable colours hidden within the earth and to develop a deeper connection with the landscapes that inspire them.
Cerdeira - Home for Creativity, Lousã, Portugal
Place it on the GPS! To get there there will be a steep road all the way up the mountain!
Bookings close 500 hours before the workshop starts.
10 workshops · 0 followers
CERDEIRA - HOME FOR CREATIVITY A village as our home and the world as our inspiration. In the heart of Serra da Lousã, lies a historic village that was abandoned and at risk of disappearing. Today, Cerdeira has new stories to tell. Here, the unique relationship between nature, art and the comfort of our schist houses, offers the freedom to live, slow down and create in a truly authentic way.
No. This workshop is suitable for both beginners and experienced artists. All techniques are taught step by step, and all materials are provided.
Please bring comfortable clothing, a backpack, and a few small bags for collecting rocks and soil during the pigment-gathering sessions. Everything else needed for the workshop will be provided.
Yes. If you would prefer more privacy and comfort, you can choose one of the following accommodation upgrades: - Shared Standard Schist House (2 participants sharing) with breakfast: €380 per participant (additional cost). Includes a shared bedroom, fully equipped kitchen, towels, bed linen, and Wi-Fi. - Private Standard Schist House (single occupancy) with breakfast: €545 per participant (additional cost). Includes a private bedroom, fully equipped kitchen, towels, bed linen, and Wi-Fi.
The workshop fee includes three and a half days of tuition in English and Portuguese, all workshop materials, lunch on the three full workshop days, four nights of accommodation in the hostel dormitory, and the opportunity to work in a small group with personalised guidance.
By the end of the workshop, you will take home your own handmade palette of mineral watercolours created from pigments collected in the Serra da Lousã, along with the knowledge and practical skills to continue making natural pigments and watercolours independently, helping you develop a more sustainable artistic practice.