Vincent van Gogh, inspired painter of intense light and bright colors, was fascinated by somber twilights and atmospeheric nights. There are countless paintings and drawings of these subjects in his oeuvre and some of them are now considered to be among his most important works. Since time immemorial, composers, writers and painters have tried to capture the hours of darkness and their unique poetry in their art. In the early modern age the night had become a culture in its own right, with its own customs and rituals that were very different from daytime reality. (Van Gogh and the colours of the night, page 17.)
After examining and discussing some art examples you are going to capture the night of Amsterdam in your favourate materials.

Date and time
Sunday July 12th. 2009, meet at 10.30h in front (or when you arrive later, inside) the Hortus Botanicus, Plantage Middenlaan 2a, 1018 DD Amsterdam. As you wish you can ofcourse come and leave earlier/ later.
Click here for a routedescription in Google Maps.
Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam
The Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is one of the oldest botanic gardens in the world. Today, there are more than 4,000 plant species growing in the garden and greenhouses. The Hortus is located in the Plantage district on the edge of the hectic center of Amsterdam. Behind the 300-year-old gates, however, the bustle of the city seems to disappear. (text from www.dehortus.nl).

Date and time
Sunday July 12th. 2009, meet at 10.30h in front (or when you arrive later, inside) the Hortus Botanicus, Plantage Middenlaan 2a, 1018 DD Amsterdam. As you wish you can ofcourse come and leave earlier/ later.
Click here for a routedescription in Google Maps.
Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam
The Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is one of the oldest botanic gardens in the world. Today, there are more than 4,000 plant species growing in the garden and greenhouses. The Hortus is located in the Plantage district on the edge of the hectic center of Amsterdam. Behind the 300-year-old gates, however, the bustle of the city seems to disappear. (text from www.dehortus.nl).

Date and time
Sunday July 5th. 2009, meet at 12.30h in Ransdorp near white wooden bridge.
Click here for a route description in Google Maps.
Ransdorp, Sunday July 5th. 2009
Beautiful situated in the flat country with a strong churchtower which sticks out high above the landscape. Perhaps we can climb the tower to overlook and sketch the surrounding landscape. Beautiful reflections of many ditches, sheep (?) and green grazing land. Take care for your own drinks and perhaps packed lunch. Sunday there is chance it might rain again therefore do not forget to take an umbrella and rain clothing. A folding chair/ plastic sack to sit on might be comfortable. For those who like to try to sketch with oil paint, I will supply study paint and paper, included in the price! Notice me if you like to join and the kind of materials you like to work with.

Vogeleiland (bird island) in the Amsterdamse Bos, Sunday June 28th 2009
For Sunday June 28th. 2009 the weather forecasts is perhaps not very good but you never now. Estimated is a rain possibility of 30% and a day temperature of 24C, but on bird island there is a possibility to shelter. Bird island is a kind of biotone, lots of different vegetation, without a lot of visitors.