Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London

Next course:

07 Sep 2026 to 11 Sep 2026

Book here: www.arts.ac.uk/

The Exploring Emotions Through Mindful Art Short Course explores how drawing and painting can cultivate calm, clarify and mental wellbeing. Students gain an insight into how art can help us understand our world.

What participants said

I feel so lucky to have found David and his Drawing and Painting with Mindfulness course. David taught us to develop a vocabulary to express ourselves creatively and to delve into life’s fundamental questions (without getting too existential!). We had a lovely, non-judgemental and open group dynamic and I really enjoyed our discussions about art, psychology and mindfulness. David was very encouraging when it came to meditating and creating art, and quickly gained a deep understanding of each of our styles, ambitions and ways of working or living. It therefore felt like the course was tailored to each of us. I also enjoyed David’s humour, which meant that things didn’t feel so serious all the time. I couldn’t recommend this course enough - it exceeded my expectations and was a profound experience which has given me a lot to think about, and reignited my enjoyment in art and creativity!

The practical exercises and meditation helped me unblock my creativity and express my emotions and the present moment with a much greater clarity. I’m going to repeat these exercises at home to channel my energy and sustain the stability acquired on the course. 

A very refreshing approach to drawing and painting - more free and with emotions and personal experience at the centre.

This is not your typical art course. It’s also not your typical meditation course. The ability for each discipline to infuse the other is simply magic. There is no part of your work or your being that will not be nourished. A huge thank-you.

David held a safe and sacred space where I could securely face my emotions… It exceeded my expectations.

This course has helped me re-set my perspective about life and art. It is a fantastic way to explore our understanding of the world through art… It’s a journey not only about art but also about ourselves.

A really lovely process to reconnect with art and creativity, explore the process of creating, learn about mindful and mediation techniques, and try them out in a friendly space.

The course was hugely enjoyable and beneficial. I felt inspired and was very productive throughout the week as a result. Lots of insights through the week which will help me moving forward. Loved it!!

Wisdom in colour, Dzogchen Beara

Next course: June 2027

A workshop exploring how artistic activity and meditation mutually nourish each other. By alternating art and meditation, we bring freshness and ease to our meditation and allow our creative riches to emerge!
Book your place here
https://www.dzogchenbeara.org/art-and-meditation/

What participants said

• A transformative journey of spiritual and creative growth in a stunning location and place of sacred practice held by world-class teachers and practitioners. I highly recommend it.

• This retreat exceeded expectations of melding artistic and meditative practice to unblock a creative rut, banish a harsh inner critic and reconnect with the pure joy of art.

• David was a great teacher! I would recommend it to anybody. There was a good balance of art and meditation.

• David supported us in rediscovering a joy in painting and meditation.

• This retreat exceeded my hopes and expectations and I am so grateful to David and all involved for sharing time and wisdom and encouragement. It was so inspiring.

• A week here is like a month off. You learn so much from the course, but also from the other participants and those insights are really special.

• This was a wonderful, heart-warming and relaxing retreat. David has a wonderful manner in how he expresses himself, both from an art perspective and also using a wide variety of techniques for engagement. Meditation was a highlight: I feel inspired to continue.

• It was a privilege to learn from a knowledgeable teacher and to meet an interesting group of people all in an inspirational setting.

• To breathe and keep open, the caring and warm environment, stimulating stories of David, how I can let go, free of judgemental thoughts, to find relaxation even in unpleasant situations. This is what I will take away.

• An insightful, fun and relaxing few days - exceeded my expectations. 

• I came in as a total beginner in a group of really talented artists and felt at home with all of them.

• This wonderfully enriching retreat helps access who you are becoming. David facilitated with grace and wisdom an amazing journey of discovery.

• What a wonderful gift to myself. A beautiful balance of art and meditation that allows for a natural progress in both, without pressure or expectation. The group connected immediately, the food was delicious and the views spectacular.

• This retreat showed me that painting and meditation can be combined to the benefit of both, and combining them can help to loosen and enhance my painting practice.

• It’s possible to do things like art and meditation although I had no idea I could.

• Art&Meditation hit the spot for me in my busy life it gave me the space to relax, to breathe and to be creative in a supported way.

• Wonderful course… great, kind people and excellent tutor.

• I have never enjoyed a course as much as I have ‘Art & Meditation’. David’s patience and his obvious knowledge were key to making this such a success for me.

• All the sessions brought me learning and inspiration. It was such a rich course. The Buddhist teachings really came alive for me.

• The Art & Meditation course was pure heaven. 

• The setting and practices combine to create a space to find inspiration.

• David’s generosity of presence, advice and feedback was much appreciated. 

• I have learnt a lot about how I approach different emotions. David’s knowledge and insight into Buddhism was very helpful.

• This was one of the most special retreats I have been on. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in either subject. David is a very special teacher and he made the retreat extremely enjoyable.

• David was equally excellent with both elements … Over the four days it all came together beautifully. I loved the retreat.

• I really enjoyed this retreat. It was very full and expansive, creative and calming.

• David is a kind, generous and very skilful teacher. His meditation guidance was really rich and had plenty to offer both a beginner and those with more experience.

• An excellent, fulfilling experience

• David is a wonderful teacher of both art and meditation. I learned so much on the course - would highly recommend it.

• A wonderful retreat, totally inspirational, opening up new ways of looking and appreciating life around us and within us. I was in ‘heaven’ for four days!

• David skilfully weaves art and meditation together. I was very encouraged to express myself through colour and design which I had never done before. I think I will also appreciate other people’s artwork more as well.

• The power of art to deepen meditation practice - a sacred experience.

• If you feel in need of some inspiration, I would definitely recommend.

• Wonderful few days; David is a wonderful, caring, inspiring and easy teacher. Thank you!

• I loved this retreat. Everything was expressed in a relevant and meaningful way. The room had a lovely energy.

• The teaching was wonderful. I really enjoyed the stories and method. Fun, relaxed, meaningful.

• A relaxing, transformative retreat

• David had a gift for sharing his learning and wisdom in an accessible and fun way. What I have experienced will enhance my life everyday. 

• This was a really rich yet spacious retreat. The teacher offered a wealth from both the areas of Buddhism and art, in a lovely, light and approachable manner.

• Having limited experience with meditation and no experience with art the retreat was fulfilling in providing time and space to explore both in an open and supportive environment.

• A thorough, clear retreat that gave so much healing shifts within, and awoke the artist in me again in an insightful and interactive way, releasing grief that I came with and fostering unity. 

• David is an amazing facilitator - considered in his responses and approach and inspirational in his work and insights.

• Wonderful way of engaging meditative reflection with creative expressions. Highly recommend this retreat.

Saint Jean de Fos

Register

Forthcoming in 2026 : 5 july, 9 august, 5 september

14h30h- 17h30h one sunday per month

Venue : 14h30h, 5 place de la mairie, 34150 Saint Jean de Fos

Tarif : 35€ / workshop (student tarif €20)

All materials included

Bilingual : English and French speakers welcome

Art, Emotions & Meditation, Lerab Ling

Next course: ART, EMOTIONS AND MEDITATION 1-3 AOUT 2026

Weekend workshop : Discover the power of creativity, mindfulness, and intuition

Book your place on the Lerab Ling website

WHAT participants said

J’ai adoré l’originalité de l’approche pédagogique. David va à l’essentiel de ce que représente l’âme de l’expression artistique, avec une sensibilité communicative qui permet d’intégrer  les concepts de la méditation et de lier la peinture aux emotions.

Je suis enchantée d’avoir tenté l’expérience qui a été riche. Merci beaucoup pour votre délicatesse.

J’ai adoré reprendre contact avec le dessin et la peinture. Les exercises, simples, accessibles, permettent de créer rapidement des choses satisfaisantes.

Se retrouver soi-même, reprendre confiance en soi, recevoir des réponses à mes questions… Des moments si précieux, partagés dans un bon esprit – humour, pédagogie, organisation, créativité – tout ça en même temps. Bravo !

Un stage pour libérer notre créativité, changer de regard tout en méditant avec les approches bouddhistes. Je recommande.

Art&Meditation hit the spot for me in my busy life it gave me the space to relax, to breathe and to be creative in a supported way.

Wonderful course… great, kind people and excellent tutor.

I have never enjoyed a course as much as I have ‘Art & Meditation’. David’s patience and his obvious knowledge were key to making this such a success for me.

All the sessions brought me learning and inspiration. It was such a rich course. The Buddhist teachings really came alive for me.

The Art & Meditation course was pure heaven. 

The setting and practices combine to create a space to find inspiration.

David’s generosity of presence, advice and feedback was much appreciated. 

I have learnt a lot about how I approach different emotions. David’s knowledge and insight into Buddhism was very helpful.

This was one of the most special retreats I have been on. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in either subject. David is a very special teacher and he made the retreat extremely enjoyable.

David was equally excellent with both elements … Over the four days it all came together beautifully. I loved the retreat.