Brushstrokes & Boat Rides: My Amsterdam Art Adventure

Some places hit you the second you arrive and for me Amsterdam was one of them. It’s not loud or flashy, but something about it makes you slow down and actually notice what’s around you. The way the buildings lean into each other, how the light changes over the canals, the sounds of bike bells! it all just feels… full of character.

As someone who grew up surrounded by art, I’ve always looked for inspiration in the everyday. But being here reminded me just how much beauty is hiding in plain sight  and how easy it is to miss it when we’re rushing through our routines. Whether you're planning a trip to Amsterdam, have been before and still think about it, or are just looking for a little creative spark right where you are, this is for you.

Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the Van Gogh Museum offers a breathtaking unforgettable journey through the life and work of one of my most favourite artists. Alongside the world’s largest collection of his paintings and drawings, visitors can also experience immersive exhibitions featuring enormous moving wall projections that bring Van Gogh’s vivid brushstrokes and colours to life. It’s a powerful and emotional way to step inside his world. I found it immensely inspiring and was really mesmerised by the paintings. I’ve seen his paintings shown in countless exhibitions, and they always stir something deep inside me. You can feel the energy in the brushstrokes, the emotion layered into the paint. What struck me most wasn’t just the beauty of his work, it was his honesty. You can see his struggles, his doubt, his restlessness… and yet, he kept creating. His work wasn’t trying to impress, it was trying to connect. It hit me hard..the rawness, the vulnerability, the way it made no apologies. That’s what makes it utterly unforgettable.

One painting that really stopped me in my tracks was Van Gogh’s Pietà. It is his own version of a piece by Delacroix, and he painted it after the original print he had was ruined in his studio. You can feel how personal it is the way he describes it in a letter to his sister is so vivid.. the sky after a storm, the figure of Mary with her arms outstretched in total despair, her hands like those weathered by hard work . What struck me was that he didn’t even measure anything when copying it, he just felt his way through it. That says a lot, doesn’t it? It wasn’t about getting it exact. It was about expressing something real.

I visited Rembrandt’s house . Rembrandt was a hugely talented artist who lived in Amsterdam during the 1600s. He is famous for his incredible portraits and scenes that capture real human emotions with amazing detail. Visiting his house gives you a sense of the man behind the masterpieces, someone who worked hard, lived simply, and saw the world in a way that still speaks to us today.

While the atmosphere felt a bit clinical perhaps due to modern health and safety requirements it was still wonderful to explore the space. I was genuinely surprised by how many floors the house has, offering a vertical glimpse into 17th-century living and working conditions in Amsterdam. I loved the wooden beds,back then, rooms often doubled as living, sleeping, and working spaces. It’s common for beds to be found in the kitchen, reception room, and sitting room because of the way homes were used in the 17th century.. Walking through the rooms, it’s easy to imagine Rembrandt at work, balancing his artistic genius with the practicalities of everyday life. The house truly offers a unique blend of history, art, and domestic life that brings the past to life. 

Worth a visit Located just a short walk away, there’s a lovely canal that’s really pretty and peaceful, with lots of old buildings lining the water. There’s also a cosy pub nearby where you can relax and get a feel for what local life might have been like back in Rembrandt’s day!

I also took a boat tour, drifting through the canals at night was magical…the water gently rippled under our boat, reflecting the twinkly lights of the beautiful canal houses in all their different shapes and sizes..

An interesting fact is many of its houses have very narrow fronts but stretch deep and tall. This goes back centuries. Property tax used to be based on the width of a house’s facade facing the canal. The narrower the front of the house, the less tax you paid and so to reduce their tax bill, people built their homes slim at the front and then extended them backwards making them deep rather than wide.

Beautiful old wooden houseboats hugged the edges of the water, strings of lights and lanterns made everything glow, and there was a soft hush that felt both peaceful and alive.   People talking, laughing, swapping stories,everyone seems more open, more in the moment. A wonderful experience.

While at the Rijksmuseum, I also got to see more of Van Gogh’s work, including another fabulous self-portrait and a beautiful little oil on panel painting painted in 1885..The Single near The Lutheran Church In Amsterdam…Van Gogh had travelled to Amsterdam to visit the newly opened Rijksmuseum.. When the Rijksmuseum was first completed in 1885, it actually faced a fair bit of criticism especially from the Dutch art world and the public. Some thought the building’s Gothic and Renaissance style was too over-the-top and not “Dutch enough,” and others felt it looked more like a church or train station than a national museum. The architect, Pierre Cuypers, was even criticised for mixing too many styles, which was quite bold at the time.

Seeing the Rembrandt paintings was something else entirely…truly sublime. His paintings are known for their delicate detail and masterful use of light and shadow, capturing the smallest expressions and textures with incredible precision. You really get a sense of the humanity behind his subjects, as if you’re looking into their souls.Unfortunately, The Night Watch is currently undergoing restoration work, so I only got to see it behind glass and surrounded by scaffolding. Still impressive  but I’d love to go back one day and see it in all its glory.

And then there’s Vermeer, whose work is beautifully intimate and serene, often capturing everyday moments, a woman reading a letter, a maid pouring milk  but executed with such calm beauty and perfect light that they feel almost magical.

The Rijksmuseum is so much more than just paintings..they have got loads of porcelain, sculptures, interesting decorative artefacts, old keys and locks..dolls houses  , old armour, some Asian ceramics. There’s also prints, textiles, and some really historic tapestries and the gardens outside are a lovely spot to relax, enjoy the flowers, water features and take in that classic Dutch charm.

One of my favourite moments was just sitting by a quiet canal with my sketchbook. No pressure to create anything perfect just taking it all in and putting pencil to paper. The bikes, the leaning houses, the little boats drifting past… There is something really grounding about sketching on the go. It helps you notice the details you'd normally miss. It wasn’t about making great art, it was about slowing down and enjoying the moment.

For the boat sketch, I quickly captured the boat as it sailed by, then filled in the canal and background afterwards. It was a really quick five-minute sketch and  more about catching the feeling than getting every detail right.

And of course, the food deserves a mention from fresh chimney buns at a little bakery to a warm welcome at a lovely local spot called Stamppot. Amsterdam’s full of flavours from all over the world, and there’s always something new to try just around the corner.

It’s been such a good few days, a mix of art, wandering, people-watching, and sketching. I leave with sore feet, full of inspiration and a few extra pages in my sketchbook. I can’t wait to come back one day (preferably when The Night Watch isn’t behind glass!).

Thank you for reading and for sharing this  journey with me. If you have enjoyed this glimpse into my world the stories, the sketches, the colour. I would love to keep you with me as I begin sharing more from my studio over the coming weeks.

Thank you x