From Flax to Paint

Three-day holiday in art and craft

Three days away from it all, immersed in the life of a paint maker and artist. You will dive into the world of dye plants, pigments, and paint making, while also soaking up the atmosphere of this monumental farmhouse with its studio and dye garden. It is a getaway where work and experience blend together. You will discover what it is like to be completely absorbed in art, nature, and craftsmanship.

What will you be doing?
During this three-day getaway, you will experience the entire process:

  • harvesting dye plants from the dye garden across from the studio
  • preparing plants and extracting pigments
  • making various types of paint, chalk, paper, charcoal, and ink
  • drawing and painting with the materials you have created yourself

During the day, you will work in the studio and garden. In the evenings, the activity continues. We often spend time experimenting, firing charcoal to draw with the next day, and engaging in lively conversation. This is what makes these days so intense, inspiring, and unforgettable.

"It was a fantastic experience, these 3 days with you—truly heartwarming!"

The accommodation
Since this is a retreat, you will be staying at and around the studio. You will sleep in one of the rooms at De Heerlijkheid, or in a tent in the garden. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Living and working in the same place creates a strong sense of immersion and contributes to the inspiration of these days. On the first day, the studio opens at 11:00 AM. On the third day, we conclude the program after lunch, but you are welcome to continue working or simply enjoy the surroundings until 4:00 PM.

Difference from Traditional Paint Making
The one-day Traditional Paint Making workshop focuses on preparing various paints and chalks. In the three-day From Flax to Paint, you experience the entire process as a short working holiday: you harvest, extract pigment, and paint with it. In addition, you can make botanical inks, create handmade paper, bind brushes, and produce charcoal.

For whom:

This retreat attracts a diverse group:

  • artists and conservators
  • enthusiasts of (art) history and craftsmanship
  • people with an interest in chemistry and alchemy
  • herbalists, garden and food forest lovers
  • anyone who wants to delve into biodiversity and the origins of color
"I can recommend it to everyone!! Such a wonderful atmosphere, meeting nice people, and super fun creative activities and lessons! If you are having any doubts, let them go immediately and just do it!!"

Accommodation

  • bring your own tent: no extra charge
  • rent a tent: €25 (2 nights, we will set it up together)
  • rooms available at De Heerlijkheid (see Accommodation)

As this is a holiday, we expect you to stay overnight with us. It is part of the experience and contributes to the special atmosphere of these days.

Additional information
When:

June 24, 25 and 26, 2026 (FULL)

July 27, 28 and 29, 2026 (FULL)

August 10, 11 and 12, 2026 (FULL)

You can only sign up for the waiting list now. We will call you as soon as a spot becomes available.

Times:

From 10:30 on day 1 until 16:00 on day 3

Costs:

‍€440

Includes 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners, and materials for the paint.

Excludes: overnight stays

A deposit of €150 is required to reserve your spot. This amount will be deducted from the total price later.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need experience to participate in a course or workshop?

Not at all, you don't need any experience.

Is it easy to park at Atelier De Heerlijkheid?

Certainly, there is plenty of parking available at Driekoningenplein and next to the cemetery. We do ask that you park your car in a designated space, angled along the cemetery wall, to ensure there is room for other vehicles. Additionally, please make sure that wherever you park, wide agricultural vehicles can always pass through easily.

If you live nearby, it’s even better to come by bike. You can park it safely in our yard.

Can I share any dietary requirements or allergies?

Yes, you can let us know about any dietary requirements or allergies in advance, and we will see what we can do. We serve vegetarian food by default.

Is Atelier De Heerlijkheid accessible by public transport?

Yes, it is. Line 250 departs from the central station in 's-Hertogenbosch and this local bus stops right at our doorstep. The schedule is limited, and the local bus does not run on Sundays.
Line 5 also departs from the central station and stops at the Beeckendael stop in Engelen. From there, it is a fifteen-minute walk to De Heerlijkheid.

Where can I find your segment on BinnensteBuiten?

You can find the segment, making paint like the old masters did, here .

Can I stay overnight?

Absolutely. We have 3 B&B rooms available for rent in combination with a workshop. Through Erfgoed Logies and Vipio we also offer rentals outside of workshop hours.

If I want to make my own paint, what do I need?

Basically, you need a pigment, a binder, a glass muller, and a grinding slab. In our "Traditional Paint Making" workshop, we will teach you how it's done. You can also try it yourself during our "From Flax to Paint" session.