NEST Aquarel Atelier Amsterdam
A cozy art studio in a historic 1881 Amsterdam building.
Beginner-friendly watercolor & sketching courses for adults.
What our students say
Real experiences from people who joined our courses — beginners, returning artists, and everyone in between.
Sarah Bui
a week ago
Nest is the best studio. I’ve been coming to take Darya’s classes for a few years now. Her teaching methods made me fall in love with painting all over again. She’s an incredible teacher and could not recommend the studio enough. The space is bright and large and inspiring. A true gem in Amsterdam.
Larisa Traista
a week ago
Amazing teachers and place. Thank you Iryna 🙏
Victoria Mikheeva
2 weeks ago
A light and welcoming studio where I was able to start learning watercolor with Iryna - an experience artist and a great teacher. I am happy with the results, as all the teachers are knowledgeable and very friendly, the explanations were easy to follow, and the reference materials we used were really beautiful. I am planning to take more courses here.
Chantal Geelhoed
2 weeks ago
What a wonderful experience at Nest Aquarel! It’s such an inspiring place with a welcoming atmosphere and great organization. I attended the three-day Figure Drawing workshop with Michael Solovyev and learned an incredible amount in just a few days. I would happily come back for another workshop.
Olesia Tovstochub
a month ago
I can absolutely recommend this studio! I’ve been through 2 watercolor courses led by Darya - one on Landscape painting and another on Architecture sketching. Loved them! Darya is amazing teacher! I made a lot of improvements because of these classes, built confidence in paintings and learnt a lot about how to start when you paint from photo as a reference, how to mix colors, different techniques, also about perspective and so much more! I will definitely come back again!
Why people love our studio
- Warm, welcoming atmosphere
Feel safe, relaxed, and inspired the moment you walk in — our studio is a cozy, friendly space that helps you switch off from daily stress and enjoy the creative process.
- Personal attention for every student
Even in medium-sized groups, we give individual guidance, support your progress, and make sure you don’t feel lost — every student gets the help they need
- Experienced instructors
Learn step-by-step with clear demonstrations and structured guidance, even if you’ve never drawn or painted before. We meet you exactly at your level.
- Professional, high-quality materials provided
We supply all essential materials — from artist-grade paper to professional paints and brushes — so you can learn and create with confidence and the best tools.
A Look Inside Our Studio
Step inside our bright, cozy gallery studio in the heart of Amsterdam —
a place where creativity grows, friendships begin, and beautiful art fills the walls.
Our mission & values
We help people discover the joy of drawing and painting, support their artistic growth, and give a platform to artists whose work deserves to be seen.
- Creativity
We value artistic curiosity and the freedom to create without fear.
- Growth
We believe everyone can grow as an artist — at their own pace, from any level.
- Quality
We care deeply about the craft — we teach with skill, clarity, and respect for artistic tradition.
- Community
Art connects people. We build a warm, supportive environment where everyone feels welcome and encouraged.
- Beauty
We value beauty — in art, in everyday moments, and in how people see the world.
- Kindness
We choose kindness as our foundation — empathy, respect, and a safe space for creative honesty.