Hi, my name is Mette Lehmann and I am to be your course leader, inspirer and cheering squad, for a whole, enchanting creative week in Marrakech.
Marrakech is a visual gift.
My first encounter with Marrakech completely bowled me over. The fact that you can sit down on a plane for 4 hours, and then step out into a world that is so foreign, is almost incomprehensible. Everything is different. Like a journey several hundred years back in time, and then mixed with the very newest of the new.
It is as if Marrakech calls out to be drawn and painted.
And that is exactly what we are going to do.
Armed with sketchbooks, pens and watercolours, we are to go out and soak it all up in a visual travel diary.
We will draw in peace and quiet in our own riad, where all the tuition takes place. But we will also get out a lot, where we draw on the spot.
I prepare you each day with techniques and methods that we will later test out "in the real world".
Colours & motifs are practically queuing up.
Marrakech is a visual explosion of colours, scents, shapes, light, architecture, water, shady gardens, mosaics and not least food. Each meal more beautiful than the last. A wild array of fruit and vegetables. Mint tea from silver pots served in fine little glasses, oranges with honey and pomegranate seeds, bulging salads. Everything served on beautiful clay dishes and finely decorated bowls. That is what we will draw!
The medina is a labyrinth of narrow streets, with decorated and carved doors that hide secret gardens, riads like little palaces with shade, peace and quiet.
The souk is bewildering, lovely and mad. You get lost, go in circles and come back laughing to the very spot you were just at. It is like Aladdin's cave, with everything that shines, glitters and gleams. You find the most wonderful handmade things, and probably get most of your Christmas presents sorted (remember plenty of space in the suitcase). You can get EVERYTHING in the souk and you haggle over EVERYTHING. Here we find our motifs.
Can you already feel your drawing fingers itching to get started?
Who can take part?
The course is for everyone. Both those of you who have already been on my courses before, but also beginners and you more seasoned drawers. Absolutely no prior knowledge is required to take part. I actually have really good experience with mixing beginners and seasoned drawers on my courses. There is ample opportunity for guidance for all of you, and I will make sure to challenge you at your own level.
What are we going to cover?
If you look at my Instagram profile: @mettelehmann you can see that my style is very lively, quirky and packed full of colours. I don't think drawings should look like a photograph. Drawings should be personal. You are to find your line and your expression. And that is best done through play, testing things out, making endless mistakes and becoming wiser and better because of them.
I will take you through basic techniques in drawing and watercolour painting. I give you my best tips and tricks for learning to draw lightning-fast sketches. You will need those when you are standing in the middle of the souk – and on the excursion. We will cover colour theory, composition and methods for "seeing" your motif in a new way that makes it easier for you to capture the essential.
The basic techniques here are essentially the same as the ones I use on my other courses.
But the motifs, colours and tasks will of course be completely different – because Marrakech is different. So if you have been along before, you can choose to have your knowledge/craft refreshed, or grab hold of me. Then I will make sure you get challenged.
Materials?
You can manage with incredibly little. And since we are travelling, I will focus on giving you a good travel pack. You can see a picture of my little, compact travel kit here on the page.
In the run-up to the trip I will send some very concrete lists with need-2-have & nice-2-have materials, for every wallet.
mette's travel kit
Alle kan være med
Du bestemmer selv dit tempo, og programmet tilpasses holdet. Er du i tvivl om noget, så ring til os — så tager vi den sammen.
Before you read the programme, you should just read about how the tuition is going to work:
Workshops: Mette teaches in our riad, which serves as the folk high school this week
One of the most important things to be able to do in Marrakech is to draw quick sketches and capture the essential. That is why Mette also has a strong focus on speed drawing, and techniques that make you better at "seeing" at the same time as your hand is drawing.
Own drawing time: You go out in small groups – often with a task, or an encouragement to visit "need-to-go drawing spots" (see below)
Touch base: An hour's drawing session at the riad for everyone. After we have been out on our own, we share our sketchbooks, challenges and tips. We colour in our sketches from the day. Mette helps and offers good advice.
Need-to-go drawing spots: Obvious places you must not miss.
1. Dar el Bacha – the palace itself and the beautiful garden (try to get a table at Bacha Coffee too)
2. Jardin Majorelle/Berber Museum/Yves Saint Laurent Museum (one ticket covers the whole splendour) set aside a minimum of 2-3 hours.
3. Le Jardin Secret (the secret garden) – We do a communal drawing on Sunday, but come by yourself too.
4. Place des Epices – find a café, order a nous-nous coffee and get started.
5. The Jamaa el-Fna square. Up-up-up in the air on a roof terrace and find your motif.
Programme for "Drawing and watercolour in Marrakech" with Mette Lehmann:
Wednesday 4 November
7.55 Departure Copenhagen Airport (We do not yet know the times for this flight, but this is often how it looks)
12.25 Arrive in Marrakech, where we first have to go through immigration before we are picked up. That can take about an hour.
We travel by bus to our folk high school, or riad, as we call it down here.
Very late lunch + intro to our folk high school/riad and to Marrakech.
Break.
We show where there is the chance to withdraw cash; we get a first acquaintance with the labyrinthine and exotic souk – we take turns going out in smaller groups with Anna and Mette.
19.00 Dinner at the riad. Lightning presentation round "Who am I, and where am I in terms of drawing level."
Thursday 5 November
8.00 – 9.00 Breakfast on the cosy roof terrace.
9.15 – 9.30 We sing a little from the folk high school songbook with Anna.
9.30 – 12.30 Morning at our riad: Workshop on learning to trust your eye. Sketches/speed drawing/how do you best draw in Marrakech?
13.00 Lunch at our riad.
16.00 – 18.00 Afternoon: In the souk with guides – where are the good drawing spots? (Need-to-go drawing spots)
20:00 Dinner at the restaurant "Le Fondouk".
Friday 6 November
8.00 – 9.00 Breakfast on the cosy roof terrace.
9.15 – 9.30 We sing a little from the folk high school songbook with Anna.
9.30 – 12.30 Morning at our riad: Workshop on watercolour techniques and colour theory.
13.00 Lunch at our riad.
Afternoon: Drawing time on your own (with the task: Draw 3 things)
18.00 Touch base: An hour's drawing session at the riad. How did the day go? What we are to experience/draw tomorrow.
From 20.00 Dinner on your own – no one eats alone, you find each other in groups. (it is a good idea to book a table in advance. You get tips and ideas for good places to eat before we travel to Marrakech).
Saturday 7 November
6.00 – 7.00 Very early breakfast on the roof terrace. We know it, but we are going on an excursion out to the coast and the sea today.
7.15 Departure by bus towards Essaouira – a lovely historic port town. Workshop: We are to see, taste, experience and of course draw at 3 different locations in the historic port town. The trip takes about 3 hours including a break.
11.00 We draw at the harbour first.
Lunch today is on your own. To get as much drawing time as possible, we recommend that you just buy a sandwich / or some fish on skewers as finger food. There are many options.
14.30 We meet and draw in the medina in Essaouira.
16.30 We draw at Skala de la Kasbah, the town's fortification.
18.30 We eat at one of the town's fish restaurants – included in the price. You only pay for the drinks yourself.
Home around 23.30 -24.00.
Sunday 8 November
9.00 - 10.00 Breakfast on the cosy roof terrace.
10.00 - 10.15 We sing a little from the folk high school songbook with Anna.
Drawing time/shopping on your own all day, i.e. lunch is on your own and at your own expense.
17:00 Touch base: An hour's drawing session at the riad, where we draw fruit and vegetables. How did the day go? What we are to experience/draw tomorrow.
19:00 Dinner at our riad.
Monday 9 November
8.00 – 9.00 Breakfast on the cosy roof terrace.
9.15 – 9.30 We sing a little from the folk high school songbook with Anna.
9.30 – 12.00 Drawing as meditation. Morning drawing at Le Jardin Secret (the secret garden). We spread out around the garden, and draw in silence. Mette walks around guiding and helping.
Lunch on your own.
Afternoon: Visit need-to-go drawing spots – What are you missing?
Dinner on your own (you find each other in groups – no one eats alone).
Tuesday 10 November
8.00-9.00 Breakfast
9.15 We sing from the folk high school songbook with Anna.
10.00 - 11.00 Morning drawing. We head to Place des Epices and draw the city from above. Mette is based at Café des Épices.
Then lunch/shopping/drawing on your own – get the last purchases sorted.
18:00: Touch base. An hour's drawing session at the riad. How did the day go? Any last questions/tips? If you feel like it, you can share your sketchbook.
20:00 Closing dinner at the riad. We share experiences, what we are taking with us and, if you like, performances.
Wednesday 11 November Departure day
8.30 Breakfast.
9.30 Check-out and departure towards the airport.
13.10 We travel home with Norwegian
17.35 Arrival Copenhagen.
Subject to changes.
Programme
Before you read the programme, you should just read about how the tuition is going to work:
Workshops: Mette teaches in our riad, which serves as the folk high school this week
One of the most important things to be able to do in Marrakech is to draw quick sketches and capture the essential. That is why Mette also has a strong focus on speed drawing, and techniques that make you better at "seeing" at the same time as your hand is drawing.
Own drawing time: You go out in small groups – often with a task, or an encouragement to visit "need-to-go drawing spots" (see below)
Touch base: An hour's drawing session at the riad for everyone. After we have been out on our own, we share our sketchbooks, challenges and tips. We colour in our sketches from the day. Mette helps and offers good advice.
Need-to-go drawing spots: Obvious places you must not miss.
1. Dar el Bacha – the palace itself and the beautiful garden (try to get a table at Bacha Coffee too)
2. Jardin Majorelle/Berber Museum/Yves Saint Laurent Museum (one ticket covers the whole splendour) set aside a minimum of 2-3 hours.
3. Le Jardin Secret (the secret garden) – We do a communal drawing on Sunday, but come by yourself too.
4. Place des Epices – find a café, order a nous-nous coffee and get started.
5. The Jamaa el-Fna square. Up-up-up in the air on a roof terrace and find your motif.
Programme for "Drawing and watercolour in Marrakech" with Mette Lehmann:
Wednesday 4 November
7.55 Departure Copenhagen Airport (We do not yet know the times for this flight, but this is often how it looks)
12.25 Arrive in Marrakech, where we first have to go through immigration before we are picked up. That can take about an hour.
We travel by bus to our folk high school, or riad, as we call it down here.
Very late lunch + intro to our folk high school/riad and to Marrakech.
Break.
We show where there is the chance to withdraw cash; we get a first acquaintance with the labyrinthine and exotic souk – we take turns going out in smaller groups with Anna and Mette.
19.00 Dinner at the riad. Lightning presentation round "Who am I, and where am I in terms of drawing level."
Thursday 5 November
8.00 – 9.00 Breakfast on the cosy roof terrace.
9.15 – 9.30 We sing a little from the folk high school songbook with Anna.
9.30 – 12.30 Morning at our riad: Workshop on learning to trust your eye. Sketches/speed drawing/how do you best draw in Marrakech?
13.00 Lunch at our riad.
16.00 – 18.00 Afternoon: In the souk with guides – where are the good drawing spots? (Need-to-go drawing spots)
20:00 Dinner at the restaurant "Le Fondouk".
Friday 6 November
8.00 – 9.00 Breakfast on the cosy roof terrace.
9.15 – 9.30 We sing a little from the folk high school songbook with Anna.
9.30 – 12.30 Morning at our riad: Workshop on watercolour techniques and colour theory.
13.00 Lunch at our riad.
Afternoon: Drawing time on your own (with the task: Draw 3 things)
18.00 Touch base: An hour's drawing session at the riad. How did the day go? What we are to experience/draw tomorrow.
From 20.00 Dinner on your own – no one eats alone, you find each other in groups. (it is a good idea to book a table in advance. You get tips and ideas for good places to eat before we travel to Marrakech).
Saturday 7 November
6.00 – 7.00 Very early breakfast on the roof terrace. We know it, but we are going on an excursion out to the coast and the sea today.
7.15 Departure by bus towards Essaouira – a lovely historic port town. Workshop: We are to see, taste, experience and of course draw at 3 different locations in the historic port town. The trip takes about 3 hours including a break.
11.00 We draw at the harbour first.
Lunch today is on your own. To get as much drawing time as possible, we recommend that you just buy a sandwich / or some fish on skewers as finger food. There are many options.
14.30 We meet and draw in the medina in Essaouira.
16.30 We draw at Skala de la Kasbah, the town's fortification.
18.30 We eat at one of the town's fish restaurants – included in the price. You only pay for the drinks yourself.
Home around 23.30 -24.00.
Sunday 8 November
9.00 - 10.00 Breakfast on the cosy roof terrace.
10.00 - 10.15 We sing a little from the folk high school songbook with Anna.
Drawing time/shopping on your own all day, i.e. lunch is on your own and at your own expense.
17:00 Touch base: An hour's drawing session at the riad, where we draw fruit and vegetables. How did the day go? What we are to experience/draw tomorrow.
19:00 Dinner at our riad.
Monday 9 November
8.00 – 9.00 Breakfast on the cosy roof terrace.
9.15 – 9.30 We sing a little from the folk high school songbook with Anna.
9.30 – 12.00 Drawing as meditation. Morning drawing at Le Jardin Secret (the secret garden). We spread out around the garden, and draw in silence. Mette walks around guiding and helping.
Lunch on your own.
Afternoon: Visit need-to-go drawing spots – What are you missing?
Dinner on your own (you find each other in groups – no one eats alone).
Tuesday 10 November
8.00-9.00 Breakfast
9.15 We sing from the folk high school songbook with Anna.
10.00 - 11.00 Morning drawing. We head to Place des Epices and draw the city from above. Mette is based at Café des Épices.
Then lunch/shopping/drawing on your own – get the last purchases sorted.
18:00: Touch base. An hour's drawing session at the riad. How did the day go? Any last questions/tips? If you feel like it, you can share your sketchbook.
20:00 Closing dinner at the riad. We share experiences, what we are taking with us and, if you like, performances.
Wednesday 11 November Departure day
8.30 Breakfast.
9.30 Check-out and departure towards the airport.
13.10 We travel home with Norwegian
17.35 Arrival Copenhagen.
Subject to changes.
Meet your instructors
Mette Lehmann:
Illustrator & art director. Through 30 years in the advertising industry, Mette has worked with drawing, creativity and conveying stories through images. Today Mette makes a living illustrating, teaching on her drawing & watercolour courses & designing creative workshops for companies.
Mette says:
"I was practically bowled over by impressions the first time I visited the city. There are many beautiful places in the world, but Marrakech is a bombardment for all the senses. The sounds from the fountain in a shady garden, a smith hammering out a silver bowl with his hammer, or all the buzzing voices in the city's famous square Jama al-Fna. The scent of spices and the ever-present mint tea, and exotic dishes prepared in a beautiful tagine. The taste of fresh yoghurt, pomegranate seeds and mint for breakfast. The colours of everything from the most beautiful bowls and dishes to scarves, rugs and mosaics. The feel of materials and craftsmanship that are hard to keep your fingers (and your wallet) off: pottery, leather, silverware, silk, glass, kilim.. ohh! Marrakech is magical and the motifs practically pile up.
I love travelling with my sketchbooks. Here I bring my experiences home with me; I sketch small quick drawings standing up, or larger, more complex motifs when I have the chance to sit somewhere and observe what is happening around me. Something very special arises when you draw your travel experiences. Something far greater than just pulling up your phone and taking a picture. You simply cannot draw without being present, and immersing yourself in the moment. When you come home and open your sketchbook, you are sent straight back to the exact moment when you sat and drew. You remember all the sounds, who you were with, how it smelled, and the whole atmosphere.
Marrakech cries out to be drawn. And you have to come along, right!"
The most loving, brightly coloured and spice-scented greetings
Mette
If you want to follow Mette's drawings and sketchbooks, you will find her on the Instagram account: @mettelehmann
Anna Katrin Nørgaard:
Founder and principal of Annas Højskole. Former journalist at DR. I have travelled quite a bit in southern Africa and in Tunisia, but began running courses in Marrakech with Anne Hjernøe and Ditte Ingemann in 2024. When Ditte and Anne took me to Marrakech for the first time in 2022, I was swept off my feet. What a beautiful city, what delicious cuisine, but most of all, what a wonderful people. Kind, welcoming and curious about you and your culture.
I am along as the folk high school mother hen, the one who sings with you and makes sure the plan comes together. I am very much looking forward to showing you this beautiful city together with Mette Lehmann.
Praktisk & pris
Departure: 4 November 2026
7.55 Departure Copenhagen Airport with Norwegian. A connecting flight from Aalborg, return, can be purchased at the day's price.
12.25 Arrival in Marrakech
Return: 11 November 2026
13.10 Departure towards Copenhagen Airport with Norwegian
17.35 Arrival Copenhagen Airport
*We reserve the right to make changes
Price includes
- 1 Danish course leader
- Principal Anna sings with us and introduces us to Marrakech
- Return flights direct Copenhagen – Marrakech
- All bus transport
- All excursions
- All talks
- All workshops
- All entrance fees at excursion destinations that we go to together
- All meals at the folk high school as per the programme
- 2 * Dinner at a restaurant *(excluding drinks)
- Local guides
- Contribution to the Danish Travel Guarantee Fund
- Flight taxes
Price excludes
- Drinks
- Meals on your own; 2 * dinner and 3 * lunch.
- Tips for local staff at the folk high school – we collect this together.
- Tips at restaurants
- Expenses for your own materials
- Payment:
- On registration we ask for a deposit of kr. 3000,- The balance must be transferred 2 months before departure.
- In special cases it is possible to pay by Mastercard; please write on the registration if this is desired.
Billeder
What our guests say
“Tak for en fantastisk oplevelse, ikke mindst takket være Anna og dig. Du var en inspirerende rejseleder, der gjorde turen til meget mere end bare en pilgrimsvandring.”
“Skøn tur som puttes i rygsækken med fantastiske oplevelser, smukke fotos og den bedste kursusleder Michael Birkkjær Lauritsen. Elsker oplevelser med Annas Højskole.”
“Jeg har netop været på strikkehøjskole på Læsø ved Annette Danielsen. Uanset hvor hårdt jeg anstrenger mig, kan jeg simpelthen ikke finde noget negativt at sige. Annette Danielsen er en fuldstændig fantastisk inspirerende og forrygende formidler. Østergaard B&B er et skønt sted med lækre lejligheder, dejlig og velsmagende mad, og en meget sympatisk og underholdende vært. Vi mødte skønne og inspirerende fortællere i huset og på ture på Læsø. Vi startede dagene med morgensang sammen med Jens Christian, som fint fortalte lidt om de sange, vi sang. Dejlig start på nogle vidunderlige dage. Det har bare været helt igennem en skøn, pragtfuld og fantastisk uge. Føler mig meget beriget.”
Ofte stillede spørgsmål
Kan jeg rejse med, hvis jeg rejser alene?
Ja — rigtig mange af vores kursister rejser alene. Du bliver en del af fællesskabet fra første dag, og du kan vælge eget værelse, hvis du vil have ro omkring dig.
Hvor god en form skal jeg være i?
Alle kan være med! Programmet tilpasses holdet, og du bestemmer selv dit tempo. Er du i tvivl, så ring til os — så tager vi den sammen.
Hvordan foregår betalingen?
Du reserverer din plads med et depositum og modtager en faktura pr. e-mail. Restbeløbet betales senest 60 dage før afrejse — også via faktura og bankoverførsel.
Hvad hvis jeg bliver nødt til at aflyse?
Vores afbestillingsregler står i rejsereglerne for pakkerejser, og vi er medlem af Rejsegarantifonden (reg.nr. 3122). Kontakt os hurtigst muligt, hvis noget kommer i vejen — vi finder altid en løsning sammen.
Kan I tage hensyn til allergier og særlige behov?
Ja. Når du reserverer, spørger vi ind til kost, allergier og særlige behov, og vi giver besked videre til køkkenet og værterne på destinationen.
Er der dansktalende værter med på rejsen?
Ja, altid. Der er dansktalende kursusledere og værter med på alle vores ophold.
Join the waitlist
This course is sold out — get notified if a spot opens up.