Explore surrealist oil painting through a creative reinterpretation of Terrace of a Café at Night inspired by the expressive style of Vincent van Gogh.

Begin by looking closely at the original painting and discovering how surrealist ideas can shift mood and meaning through small, imaginative changes.

Reimagine the scene by playing with scale, introducing unexpected elements, and gently altering details to create a dreamlike version of the work.

Using oil paint, develop your own surreal response to the composition, focusing on experimentation and personal interpretation rather than accuracy.

Share ideas and reflect with the group as you paint in a relaxed, supportive environment.

You’ll leave with a finished surrealist oil painting and a deeper understanding of creative storytelling through image-making.

Basic materials provided. Food and drink is also available for purchase throughout the session from our cafés.

This workshop is suitable for ages 16+.

What is surrealism?

Surrealism is an art movement that explores dreamlike imagery, unexpected juxtapositions, and subtle distortions of reality.

Rather than creating fantasy worlds from scratch, surrealist artists often transform familiar scenes by altering scale, perspective, gravity, or everyday objects to create something imaginative and unsettling.

About your tutor

Denisa Mansfield is an artist whose work explores expressive colour, movement, and emotion through the language of Impressionism and abstraction.

She works primarily in oils, with a focus on how traditional methods can be reinterpreted in contemporary ways. Her practice celebrates curiosity, creative risk-taking, and the joy of discovery through paint.