Academy
From Axel | Over the years, I've learned a lot about miniature painting. What started as a hobby slowly turned into a job, and I now want to pass some of that knowledge on to others, hopefully igniting their passion for this wonderful hobby. That's why I started the Pink Orc Studios Academy.
I've had the privilege to learn from some of the world's best miniature painters, including Arnau Lázaro, Alfonso Giraldes, Juan Hidalgo, Ivan Hortal, and Jamie Foster. Their masterclasses have been invaluable. Before that, I learned mostly through trial and error, making just about every mistake imaginable along the way.
While Masterclasses are fantastic, they can also be pretty advanced (and scary). I know how overwhelming it can feel to find your way through the world of miniature painting, especially as a beginner or intermediate painter. There is just sooo much complex information out there. And that's where my background as a scientist kicked in. I'm used to breaking down complex topics into smaller, understandable steps, and I wanted to bring that approach to miniature painting. So, I started developing our own approachable workshops and courses, where you can build your skills step by step, understand the theory behind the techniques, and put what you've learned into practice with a teacher looking over your shoulder.
Whether you're painting your very first Space Marine, working on a display piece, or looking to finally master advanced techniques like glazing or NMM, our workshops combine hands-on painting, the theory behind each technique, and plenty of personal feedback in small groups. Everything is designed to help you understand and grow as a painter.
I'd love to welcome you to one of our workshops and explore the wonderful world of miniature painting together. Hope to see you soon!
What you'll find at our Academy:
Every workshop includes a high-quality resin miniature provided by our partner Silver Heron Studios.
And we will paint with our own Pink Orc Brushes.
Upcoming dates
- Date 1
- Date 2
- Date 3
- Date 4
Everything you need is provided
Paints, brushes, palettes, tools, and a dedicated workspace, it’s all included (plus coffee, tea and snacks). You’ll also receive a high-quality miniature printed by Silver Heron Studios to work on during the session.
One Sunday every month
One Sunday a month from 13:00 to 17:00. There’s plenty of time to relax, paint, and dive into the world of miniature painting.
Close to the center of Utrecht
Our workshops take place at the Ravellaan 13, just outside Utrecht's city centre, in a vibrant creative hub housed in a former school building.
What skills will you learn?
After a short introduction, we'll dive into:
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Basic Volumetry, Colour Theory and some of the other key aspects of miniature painting
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Basic light & shadow placement
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Brush control and layering
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Basecoating and simple filtering
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Washes & highlights
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Drybrushing
More importantly, you'll learn the theory behind miniature painting, helping you understand not just how to paint, but why it works.
If you’re ready for more, we'll happily introduce more advanced techniques like wet blending, multi-layer glazing, NMM, and OSL, depending on your skill level and interest.
Take your painting to the next level
This course is for painters who already know the basics and want to take the next step towards consistently painting better miniatures and busts.
Two full days
One full weekend (10.00-18.00h) gives us the time to go much deeper than a regular workshop (lunch included). You'll paint a larger-scale bust while receiving demonstrations, individual feedback and plenty of time to practise.
What will you learn?
During the course we explore topics such as:
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Complex Volumetry
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Manual light & shadow placement
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Advanced colour theory
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Realistic Skin
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Refining techniques like wet-blending and glazing
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Brush control
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Eyes, hair and textures
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Depending on the used busts and personal interest, basic NMM, OSL, gemstones and other relevant topics
More importantly, you'll learn why these techniques work. By understanding light and colour, you'll be able to analyse your own miniatures and continue improving long after the course has ended.
Close to the center of Utrecht
We’re based at the Ravellaan 13, just outside the city center. The course is held in a former school, now a vibrant space for artists and creatives.
Guided by experienced professionals
Co-hosted by Wouter Schaap (Miniature Painting Workshops) and Axel Beier (Pink Orc Studios), both experienced miniature painters and teachers with years of experience in the hobby.
€275 per person, including bust, materials, lunch & snacks
All materials are included in the course fee, and you can choose between two busts to paint. Lunch, drinks and snacks are also included.
Intermediate course
Ready to go beyond the basics and refine your technique?
Join our in-depth intermediate level painting course and spend an entire weekend improving your painting skills through demonstrations, theory and lots of hands-on practice!
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High-quality bust included
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Two full days of painting
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Personal feedback throughout
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Small group setting
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Close to the center of Utrecht
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Price: €275
Together with Wouter Schaap's Miniature Painting Workshops
Upcoming course(s)
- Date 1
- Date 2
- Date 3
- Date 4
Master a specific technique
Each Topic Workshop focuses on one miniature painting technique, giving you the time to understand, practise and apply it. Topics include NMM, OSL, speed painting and other specialist techniques.
Go beyond simply copying a technique
We'll explain not only how a technique works, but why it works, so you can apply what you've learned to your own miniatures.
Learn, see, practise
You'll get a short theoretical introduction, live demonstrations and plenty of time to try the technique yourself, with guidance along the way.
One focused afternoon
Workshops run from 13:30 to 16:30. Four hours dedicated to one subject gives us plenty of time to explain the theory, demonstrate the technique and let you practise it.
Everything is included
Paints, brushes, palettes, tools, workspace and a high-quality miniature selected for the workshop are all provided.
Close to the center of Utrecht
We're located at the Ravellaan 13, just outside Utrecht's city center, in an old school building.
Learn from the Masters
Spend an entire weekend learning directly from some of the world's leading miniature painters, such as Alfonso Giraldes, Roman Lappat, Marc Masclans, Borja Calvo, Arnaud Lazaro and many, many more.
See how they really work - from the way they load a brush and manage their palette to the decisions and philosophy behind their art. The small details you rarely get to see properly in a YouTube video. And sometimes you even get to hear them rant for a while about the judges at major painting competitions ;).
A full weekend of painting
Two full days, from 09:00 to 18:00, give you plenty of time to learn, practise and receive personal guidance from the teacher.
Next to a deep-dive in theory, you'll work on a high-quality bust, putting the Masterclass techniques and approach into practice as you go.
Bring your own tools
Bring the paints, brushes and tools you normally use. You'll learn how to apply the techniques with your own equipment, making it easier to take what you've learned home and use it on your own miniatures.
What’s included
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Two full days of instructions
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High-quality bust or miniature
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Demonstrations and hands-on painting
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Personal guidance and feedback
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Getting to know the person behind the master and seeing some of their works first hand
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Small-group learning environment
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Lunch, drinks & snacks
Organised by Wouter Schaap
The Masterclasses are organised by Wouter Schaap of Miniature Painting Workshops, who brings renowned painters to Utrecht for these intensive weekend sessions.
In Utrecht or Zeist
The masterclasses either take place in our Studio at the Ravellaan 13 close to Utrecht city center or in a beautiful venue in Zeist.
Masterclasses
Do you want to learn from the world's best miniature painters?
Join the Masterclasses organised by Wouter Schaap
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Bust included
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Bring your own tools
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Scheduled throughout the year
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Two full days (09:00–18:00)
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Close to the center of Utrecht or in Zeist
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Price: depends on Masterclass
Organised by Wouter Schaap's Miniature Painting Workshops
Private workshops
One-on-one workshops, family events, or something more private with your DnD crew? We can plan a private session that suits you and your needs.
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Use our stuff or yours
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Date, time and duration variable
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In Utrecht or at your place
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Learn the skills you want (or let us see your work and we design a class around your skill level)
Everything You Need – Provided or BYO
We’ve got you covered with all the essentials: miniatures, paints, brushes, airbrush, and more. Prefer using your own tools? No problem. Bring them along and paint with what you're comfortable using.
We Schedule Together
Based on the availability of our painters and venues, we’ll schedule your miniature painting workshop to fit your plans. Choose the date, time, and duration, we’ll make it work for you.
At Our Place or Yours
Join us at our location on the Ravellaan 13 in Utrecht, or we can bring everything to you. Whether it’s your home or another location, we’re flexible and mobile.
Plenty of techniques to dive into together
Tailored to your interests and skill level. Whether you're new or experienced, we can cover the basics or explore advanced techniques like wet-blending, glazing, non-metallic metal (NMM), and object source lighting (OSL). Alternatively you can show us your previous work and we design a course around your current skill level.
Pricing
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Setup fee: €150
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Per person: €15 per hour (for groups 5 people and up)
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Extra charges may apply for locations outside our venue
Convention workshops
Want to check us out at one of the major events we attend? Come meet us and discover miniature painting!
Spellenspektakel, Abunai and Castlefest are only a few of the events where we run events.
Check our event calendar to see where you can find us next
Do you have a question about our workshops?
Contact us directly or fill out the form below!
E-mail: info@pinkorcstudios.com
Telephone: +31 6 46814604