June 21, 2026 in Lavaux, Switzerland: "Plein-air painting in Lavaux"
This one-day workshop is especially designed for participants of all levels. It will be perfect for the novice who is curious to try painting outdoors for the first time, as well as for more experiences artists who would like to improve their skills.
It will take place in the midst of the some of the most beautiful scenery in Switzerland: the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, stretching for 30 km along the south-facing northern shores of Lakes Léman (aka Lake Geneva) and backdropped across the water by the snow-capped Alps and Jura mountains. The region has been a source of inspiration for many traveling and local artists. Among those who wandered along the lake-front are Joseph Mallord, William Turner, François Bocion, Gustave Courbet and Ferdinand Hodler.
The day will start with a quick demonstration that will present the tools and materials used for plein-air and how to prepare them, before explaining a step-by-step process to start and complete an artwork. We will cover important aspects of plein-air painting such as the choice of a subject, the composition and the color palette, as well as how to create depth, how to introduce light and atmosphere in your paintings. 
After that, each participant will choose a subject of his own and will paint at will. I will spend time with each one to provide advice and guidance in order to help complete one painting in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Materials: .
The workshop is open to participants who paint in oils and also acrylics. If you don't have a portable easel, this can be provided to you. Other materials should be brought by each participants (a detailed list will be provided).

Time: 9-13hs and 14-17hs (7 hours).

Location: Lavaux vineyards (exact location will be confirmed shortly before the course).
May 3, 2026 in Zürich, Switzerland: "Plein-air painting in Zürich"
This one-day workshop is especially designed for participants of all levels. It will be perfect for the novice who is curious to try painting outdoors for the first time, as well as for more experiences artists who would like to improve their skills.
The course will take place in a green area in or around Zürich, where there will be a variety of subjects to choose from - such as vegetation, architecture, lake and mountains - that are suitable for both beginners and experienced painters. The day will start with a quick demonstration that will present the tools and materials used for plein-air and how to prepare them, before explaining a step-by-step process to start and complete an artwork. We will cover important aspects of plein-air painting such as the choice of a subject, the composition and the color palette, as well as how to create depth, how to introduce light and atmosphere in your paintings. 
After that, each participant will choose a subject of his own and will paint at will. I will spend time with each one to provide advice and guidance in order to help complete one painting in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Materials: .
The workshop is open to participants who paint in oils and also acrylics. If you don't have a portable easel, this can be provided to you. Other materials should be brought by each participants (a detailed list will be provided).

Time: 9-13hs and 14-17hs (7 hours).

Location: Zürich (exact location will be confirmed shortly before the course).
April 25-26, 2026 in BERN, Switzerland: “The Pastel Portrait and Figure - Catching the light...”
Join me in Bern for 2 days of portrait and figure drawing!

​Each day will kick-off by a quick demo, show-casing the “pastel on toned paper” technique to complete a lively portrait. We will discuss the importance of proportions, lighting and the usage of blending different colours to obtain realistic flesh tones. Participants will then work freely on their own pastel drawing of our professional model, under Peter’s close supervision.

This course will be in English (one-to-one tutoring also possible in French and Spanish).

Venue: Schweizer Malschule in Stettlen-Deisswil (BE)
June or July, 2026 (exact date to be confirmed) in GRINDELWALD, Switzerland: "Trek & Paint in Grindelwald"
This two-day workshop will take place in the midst of the some of the most beautiful scenery in the Alps, near the small village of Grindelwald. We will enjoy breathtaking views on the surrounding mountains, including the snowcapped Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau.

This painting weekend is especially designed for intermediate and advanced painters who enjoy being fully immersed in both art and nature. We will establish our base in a hotel on the mountain that we will reach by train or by cable-car. From there, we will walk to the different painting spots, observing a carefully-planned itinerary. Participants should be fit enough to be able to carry their material over distances of a few kilometres, however no special mountaineering or athletic abilities are required as we will follow trekking paths that are relatively flat, easy and safe.
There will be a painting demonstration on the first morning. We will cover the important aspects of the composition and the alpine colour palette, as well as how to create depth and ways to introduce light and drama in your paintings. After that, each participant will choose views of his own and will paint at will, receiving personalised advice and guidance.

Schedule:
We will meet on June 20 at 9am in Grindelwald (exact location to be confirmed) where we will leave our vehicles and will return to the same spot on June 21 at around 7pm. ​Participants should bring a picnic for the first day. In the evening, we will enjoy a group diner at the hotel and on the second day, we will stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Participants can join up to 5 painting sessions - 2 in the morning, 2 in the afternoon and one late on June 20, Those who prefer a more relaxed schedule or want to enjoy other activities will of course be free to skip any of the painting sessions.

Materials: .
The workshop is open to participants who paint in oils and also acrylics. A pochade box is highly recommended. Everything should be packed lightly and compactly in a large backpack. A second bag containing extra clothes and personal items needed for the night can be left at the hotel.

In addition to their usual art kit and attire, participants should bring along strong trekking shoes and should always have in their backpack a couple of fleece pullovers and a light rain jacket as the weather conditions can change very quickly in the mountains.

Participants who do not possess portable painting materials such as a pochade box or a case for wet paintings, will be encouraged to pre-order a slide-in box - developed and hand-made by Peter - that fits in a back-pack and enables to carry a painting palette as well as up to 6 wet panels of 20x30cm (or 3 panels of 30x40cm). This is ideal for a painting vacation or weekend as it solves the problem of travelling with your wet paintings in a suitcase.

​If you don't have a portable easel, it can be provided to you.
May 17-18, 2025 in ZURICH, Switzerland: Drawing portraits and figures in pastel​
Day 1 will be dedicated to drawing a portrait in pastel from a live model. We will learn how to capture the character, the anatomy of the head and we will cover some tips for highlighting light and shadow before the participants create their own works. On Day 2 we will discuss the technique of "pastel on toned paper" to create a live painting of a full (undressed) model. We will discuss the importance of lighting and using a mixture of different colors to achieve realistic skin tones before each participant works freely on their own pastel drawing

This course will be in English.

Venue: Artiloft in Zürich
April 5-6, 2025 in BERN, Switzerland: “The Pastel Portrait - Catching the light...”
Each day will kick-off by a quick demo, show-casing the “pastel on toned paper” technique to complete a lively portrait. We will discuss the importance of proportions, lighting and the usage of a mix of different colours to obtain realistic flesh tones. Participants will then work freely on their own pastel drawing of our professional model, under Peter’s close supervision.

This course will be in English.

Venue: Schweizer Malschule in Stettlen-Deisswil (BE)
​Enjoy the breath-taking scenery and improve your painting skills in great company. I love meeting other artists and showing them my favorite paintings spots so I started hosting workshops in 2019.

Next workshops:
Picture
Plein-air painting in Le Lavaux

Oil and et acrylic
10 September 2022
 
This one-day workshops will take place in the midst of the some of the most beautiful scenery in Switzerland: the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, stretching for 30 km along the south-facing northern shores of Lakes Léman (aka Lake Geneva) and backdropped across the water by the snow-capped Alps and Jura mountains. Now considered a site of universal value, Lavaux has been elevated to the status of world heritage site by UNESCO, its mosaic of vines welcoming many visitors seeking renewed vitality and tranquility. The region has been a source of inspiration for many traveling and local artists. Among those who wandered along the lake-front are Joseph Mallord, William Turner, François Bocion, Gustave Courbet and Ferdinand Hodler.

More information and registration via Artiloft
Come join us for some plein-air painting in beautiful Switzerland!​
Next dates:
To be confirmed
​Enjoy the breath-taking scenery and improve your painting skills in great company. I love meeting other artists and showing them my favorite paintings spots so I started hosting workshops in 2019, in collaboration with New York artist Sonya Sklaroff, whose works are included in prestigious collections around the world and who has been teaching drawing and painting for 21 years at the prestigious Parsons School of Design.
The 2-3-day workshops take place in the midst of the some of the most beautiful scenery in Switzerland: the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, stretching for 30 km along the south-facing northern shores of Lakes Léman (aka Lake Geneva) and backdropped across the water by the snow-capped Alps and Jura mountains. Now considered a site of universal value, Lavaux has been elevated to the status of world heritage site by UNESCO, its mosaic of vines welcoming many visitors seeking renewed vitality and tranquility. The region has been a source of inspiration for many traveling and local artists. Among those who wandered along the lake-front are Joseph Mallord, William Turner, François Bocion, Gustave Courbet and Ferdinand Hodler.
​We focus mainly on the breathtaking landscape, the vertiginous views down to the lake and the nearby picturesque villages nestled in the vineyards. Participants benefit from the expert tuition and have the opportunity to wander around, draw and paint at will.
​
All levels are welcome as well as adepts of different techniques and media including oils, acrylics, watercolor, pastel, sketching, etc.
The workshops are open to local and international participants. For those who come from abroad, we offer too book the Hotel “Auberge du Raisin” in Cully, a charming 3-star venue that is just a few steps from the lakeside and is renowned for its French and Swiss cuisine. The picturesque village of Cully is right in the center of the Lavaux vineyards region. It offers wonderful painting opportunities and is also in close proximity to other painting spots a few minutes away to where participants will be driven. The village has a few alternative dining options, a couple of convenience stores and is connected to Geneva airport by train.
Interested?

Don't miss this opportunity! Contact me directly for the full information pack and prices, by e-mail on [email protected]  
Come join us for some plein-air painting in beautiful Switzerland!​
Our next workshop: ​May 21-23, 2022 in Nyon
Come join us for a relaxing and productive 3-day plein-air painting workshop in Nyon, on the serene shores of beautiful Lake Léman!
The small lakeside town of Nyon is the ideal location for a painting break, offering breathtaking views on the snow-capped Alpine peaks across Lake Léman (aka Lake Geneva) to the South and on the pristine Jura mountains to the North. 
The town’s charming historic center encloses a handful of small streets and squares full of café terraces, a bi-weekly farmers’ market and a XIII century castle from where narrow medieval streets zigzag down to the lakeside and the port area.The workshop will be run in English and French and is open to residents in Switzerland as well as visitors from abroad. All levels are welcome as well as adepts of different techniques and media including oils, acrylics, watercolor, pastel, sketching, etc. Participants will benefit from expert tuition and will have the opportunity to wander around, draw and paint at will.
The workshop will be hosted by Sonya Sklaroff and Peter Stalder, giving participants the opportunity to benefit from advice that is adapted to each level, while discovering two different artistic approaches and styles. Sonya and Peter will take turns to give demonstrations and help you develop your ability to make the most of our materials, produce compelling compositions and make effective use of perspective, value and color.
Interested?

Don't miss this opportunity! Contact me directly for the full information pack and prices, by e-mail on [email protected]  
All upcoming workshops are listed here. It is possible to book individual workshops on any chosen date. By booking two or more sessions, you can also benefit from special discounts:
Sunday June 2, 2024: “Painting a Poppy Field en plein-air”​
“Immerse yourself in nature and feel the happiness of painting like Monet, Klimt and numerous other painters in the middle of an exuberant poppy field.”

We will meet directly at a colorful poppy field, where there will be a high density of flowers. The day will start with a demo showing the key steps for representing the poppies and the surrounding nature in a compelling manner. We will discuss the composition, the importance of perspective and how to mix colors to obtain vibrant and harmonious mixes. Participants will then develop freely their own paintings (in oils or acrylics), under Peter’s close guidance. The course will be canceled/postponed in case of rainy weather.

Schedule: from 9AM till 1PM and from 2PM till 6PM

​Venue: the course will take place either in the Nyon area or near the foothills of the Jura near Cossonay. The exact location will be identified shortly before the course, based on the abundance of poppy flowers. Detailed directions will be provided on how to reach the venue.

Materials: the list of recommended materials will be supplied after registration.
Important: participants must bring with them a large hat, sunscreen and large quantities of drinking water.

​Fee: 210 fr.

​Registration: Send an email to [email protected]
Sunday July 14, 2024: “Painting Sunflowers en plein-air”​
“Treat yourself to a full-day of outdoor painting and capture the fascinating energy of radiant sunflowers, like Van Gogh, Gaugin, O’Keeffe and many other artists.”

We will meet directly at a previously-identified location where a nice batch of fully-grown sunflowers will be waiting for us. We will start with a demo showing the key steps for representing the flowers and the surrounding nature, using a specific color palette. We will discuss the composition, the importance of perspective and how to mix colors to obtain vibrant and harmonious mixes. Participants will then develop freely their own paintings (in oils or acrylics), under Peter’s close guidance. The course will be canceled/postponed in case of rainy weather.

Schedule: from 9AM till 1PM and from 2PM till 6PM

Venue: the course will take place either in the Nyon area. The exact location will be confirmed shortly before the course, based on the position and accessibility of a nice batch of sunflowers. Detailed directions will be provided on how to reach the venue.

Materials: the list of recommended materials will be supplied after registration.
Important: participants must bring with them a large hat, sunscreen and large quantities of drinking water.

Fee: 210 fr.

Registration: send an email to [email protected]
Sunday April 28, 2024: “Drawing the figure with Pastel”
The day will kick-off by a quick demo, show-casing the “pastel on toned paper” technique to complete a lively painting of a full-figure (undressed) model. We will discuss the importance of lighting and the usage of a mix of different colors to obtain realistic flesh tones. Participants will then work freely on their own pastel drawing of our professional model, under Peter’s close supervision.
Schedule: from 9AM till noon and from 1PM till 6PM

Venue: Artiloft in Lausanne

Fee: 210 Fr.

Registration: click here
Sunday March 24, 2024: “Painting the Model in Costume”
The day will start with a demo showing the key steps of painting a model in a colorful costume: the initial sketch, mixing oils to obtain a realistic palette of fabric colors and flesh tones, and the progressive build-up of the artwork. A short demo will be given by our instructor, underlining the importance of proportions, values and expression, and explaining the process for completing a vibrant painting. Participants will then develop freely their own paintings (in oils or acrylics) of our professional model, under Peter’s close guidance.
Schedule: from 9AM till noon and from 1PM till 6PM
Venue: Artiloft in Lausanne
Fee: 210 Fr.
Registration: send an email to [email protected]
Sunday February 25, 2024: “Drawing Facial Expressions”
This workshop will cover theoretical and practical aspects of drawing portraits that convey emotion. It will start with a short discussion around anatomy and the key drivers of facial expressions. The participants will then spend the day completing a series of exercises with our professional model, who will alternate quick and long poses, displaying a variety of facial expressions.
Schedule: from 9AM till noon and from 1PM till 6PM
Venue: Artiloft in Lausanne
Fee: 210 Fr.
Registration: click here
Sunday January 28, 2024: “Portrait Painting”
The day will start with a demo showing the key steps of painting a portrait in oils: the initial sketch, mixing colors to obtain a realistic palette of flesh tones and the progressive build-up of the painting. Each participant will then develop freely his own interpretation of the portrait of our professional model, using oils or acrylics, and benefiting from Peter’s expert advice.
Schedule: from 9AM till noon and from 1PM till 6PM
Venue: Artiloft in Lausanne
Fee: 210 Fr.
Registration: Artiloft
I will be running a series of 4 full-day workshops in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 4 Sundays, from January to April 2023. It is possible to book individual workshops on any chosen date. By booking two or more sessions, you can also benefit from special discounts:
Sunday 29 January 2023: Portrait Drawing
This workshop will cover essential theoretical and practical aspects of portrait drawing. A short demo will be given, underlining the importance of proportions, values and expression, and explaining the process for completing a portrait using the “graphite and pastel on toned paper” technique. Participants will then develop freely their own drawings of our professional model, under close guidance.

Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
Schedule: from 9AM till noon and from 1PM till 6PM
Fee: CHF 210

More information and registration via Artiloft
Sunday 5 March 2023: Portrait Painting
The day will start with a demo showing the key steps of painting a portrait: the initial sketch, mixing colors to obtain a realistic palette of flesh tones and the progressive build-up of the painting. Each participant will then develop freely his own interpretation of the portrait of our professional model, benefiting from expert advice.

Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
Schedule: from 9AM till noon and from 1PM till 6PM
Fee: CHF 210

More information and registration via Artiloft
Sunday 26 March 2023: Figure Drawing
This workshop will cover theoretical and practical aspects of live-drawing of the human figure. It will start with a short demo, showcasing the “graphite and pastel on toned paper” technique and underlining the critical aspects of anatomy, volumes and lighting. Participants will then complete freely their own drawings of our professional model, who will perform a series of quick and long poses.

Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
Schedule: from 9AM till noon and from 1PM till 6PM
Fee: CHF 210

More information and registration via Artiloft
Sunday 30 April 2023: Figure Painting  
The day will kick-off by a quick demo, show-casing the importance of the color palette and lighting in order to complete a lively painting of a full-figure model. We will discuss the importance of lighting and the usage of a limited palette to mix realistic flesh tones. Participants will then work freely on their own painting of our professional model, under close supervision.

Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
Schedule: from 9AM till noon and from 1PM till 6PM
Fee: CHF 210

More information and registration via Artiloft