Drawing and Watercolor Workshop in the Heart of Florence

Florence becomes your subject in this relaxed pencil and watercolor workshop. Instead of rushing from one famous church to the next, you sit with the city long enough to notice its lines, shadows, colors, and odd little details. Betty guides you step by step, so you do not need an art background to begin.

I like two things right away: all materials are supplied, and the class works for both first-time sketchers and practiced artists. I also like the rain plan. A covered terrace with a view of the Dome keeps the session going when Florence decides to add weather to your painting.

The main consideration is that the precise working spot can change with the weather, so you will not have a fixed outdoor address beyond the meeting point at Piazza del Duomo, 10. The class is also a creative lesson, not a formal sightseeing tour, so book it for hands-on art rather than a long list of monuments.

Key points at a glance

• Sketch the Duomo and Florence from an artist’s viewpoint: You spend time studying the city instead of simply photographing it.
• Learn two linked skills: Betty takes you from pencil drawing into watercolor, with help on composition, perspective, light, shade, and color mixing.
• Suitable for beginners: You can arrive with little or no drawing experience and still leave with finished work.
• Small groups make a difference: The class accepts a maximum of 10 people, and some sessions may be much smaller.
• Rain does not automatically cancel the creative work: A covered terrace offers shelter and a view of the Dome.
• Take home your own work: You finish with a pencil drawing and watercolor painting made during the session.

Why sketch Florence instead of just photographing it

Florence is full of famous sights, but a camera often makes you glance and move on. Drawing slows you down. You have to decide where the building begins, how much of the sky belongs on the page, and which details matter most.

That is the real appeal here. The workshop turns the city into a subject for close observation. You are not trying to reproduce every stone in the Duomo. You are learning how to simplify a complicated view into shapes, lines, tones, and color.

Betty remains beside you throughout the session, offering help with composition, perspective, light and shade, color mixing, techniques, and materials. That ongoing guidance matters more than a long lecture at the start. You can ask for help when your drawing feels off or when your watercolor begins to look too heavy.

The setting also gives the class a pleasant break from Florence’s major attractions. You still experience the city, but at a slower pace. For many people, two and a half hours of sitting, observing, and painting will feel like a welcome change after crowded museums and busy streets.

Starting near Piazza del Duomo

The listed meeting point is Piazza del Duomo, 10, in central Florence. This puts you in the city’s most recognizable area, close to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and its famous Dome.

The exact working location depends on the weather and the needs of the session. That means you should not expect the class to have one permanent outdoor address. The meeting point is clear, but the place where you sit and paint may be selected for the best conditions on the day.

This flexibility is useful. A shaded or quieter corner can make drawing easier than a fixed spot beside a major stream of pedestrians. One particularly practical advantage is that Betty may choose a calmer place when the center feels crowded. You should still be ready to walk a short distance from the meeting point if the selected location calls for it, though the supplied information does not give a specific route or distance.

Bring the same patience you would bring to any outdoor activity. Florence can be sunny, wet, noisy, or crowded. The class is designed around those changing conditions rather than pretending they do not exist.

The pencil drawing comes first

The session begins with drawing, giving you a chance to understand the subject before adding paint. Betty helps with composition and perspective, two areas that can frustrate beginners when they try to draw Florence’s tall buildings and complex domes.

Composition is about deciding what belongs in the frame. You might include the Dome, a slice of a piazza, nearby buildings, or more open sky. Perspective helps those buildings sit properly on the page instead of leaning or shrinking in strange ways.

This part is useful even if you have sketched before. A practiced artist may appreciate a second set of eyes on proportion and layout, while a beginner gets a clear way to start. Betty’s teaching style is described as patient, encouraging, and hands-on, with individual suggestions rather than a one-size-fits-all lesson.

You will not be expected to produce a perfect architectural study. The point is to learn a workable method. Start with the larger shapes, check the relationship between them, and then add selected details. That approach keeps you from getting lost in every window and decorative line.

The drawing also becomes a guide for the watercolor stage. By working out the basic structure first, you have a clearer plan for where the darker and lighter areas should go.

Adding color with watercolor

Once the pencil work is under control, the class moves into watercolor. Betty covers color mixing, light, shade, and different ways to handle the materials. You can test how much water to use, how to keep colors clean, and how to suggest a building without painting every surface in detail.

Watercolor rewards a light touch, but that can be hard to judge on your first attempt. Personal instruction helps here. Betty can point out where you may need more color, where a wash is becoming too dark, or how to leave part of the paper unpainted so the image has light.

The finished result is not meant to compete with a Renaissance master. It is your own record of Florence, made through a process you can continue after the trip. One useful result is confidence. A first session can show you that a sketchbook does not need to remain blank just because you are not trained as an artist.

The watercolor portion also makes the experience feel complete. You do not simply practice a technique and leave. You work toward a painting you can keep, along with the pencil drawing that came before it.

A small class with room for personal help

The maximum group size is 10 people. That is small enough for the instructor to circulate, though the amount of personal attention will depend on how many people book your date and on the range of experience in the group.

Some sessions can be very small. A couple may find themselves in a nearly private setting, while a larger group will bring more energy and a chance to see different ways of interpreting the same view. The class format is especially useful for couples, friends, and families who want to make something together rather than split up for separate museum visits.

The instruction is not presented as a formal academic course. It is practical and immediate. Betty gives examples, points out ways to improve a drawing, and adjusts her help to your level. A beginner can receive basic guidance on getting started, while someone with more experience can ask about technique and color.

That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to book. You are not required to arrive with the same goals as everyone else. You can focus on learning perspective, gaining confidence with paint, or simply making a personal souvenir.

What happens when it rains

Florence weather can change your outdoor plans quickly, but rain does not necessarily end this class. In poor weather, the activity moves to a covered terrace with a view of the Dome.

That backup plan is more than a minor convenience. Watercolor paper, pencils, and brushes are not ideal companions for a wet piazza, and trying to paint while protecting your materials from rain would spoil the session. A sheltered terrace lets you keep the main goal of the class while still looking out over Florence.

The terrace is not described as a fully enclosed studio, so dress for the conditions and bring sensible layers. The supplied information confirms shelter and a view, but not heating, seating details, or the exact address. If bad weather is a concern, contact Betty in advance for the day’s meeting instructions.

The rain option may even give the class a different mood. A damp city, soft light, and the Dome seen from shelter can create a quieter subject than a bright outdoor session. You should not count on a particular view beyond the stated Dome panorama, but the plan is designed to preserve the experience.

Is $58.05 a fair price?

At $58.05 per person, this is not a cheap way to pass two hours. It is fair value if you want instruction, materials, and a finished creative keepsake rather than a standard sightseeing walk.

The price includes the art supplies needed during the class, so you do not have to pack watercolor paints, paper, brushes, or drawing equipment. It also pays for Betty’s time at your side, including help with composition, perspective, light and shade, color mixing, and technique.

Compare it with the cost of buying art materials in Florence, finding a suitable place to work, and teaching yourself from a book or video. The advantage here is direct feedback. You can make a mistake and address it while the drawing or painting is still in progress.

The value is lower if you want only a quick photograph of the Duomo or a tightly scheduled tour of Florence’s major sights. This activity asks you to give up about two and a half hours of sightseeing time. For a visitor with a packed itinerary, that is a real tradeoff.

For an art-minded visitor, a couple, or a family looking for a shared activity, the price makes more sense. You take home two pieces of work and a method you can use in your own sketchbook later.

Who will enjoy this class most

You do not need to be good at drawing. The class specifically welcomes beginners and experienced artists, and the teaching is adjusted to your level.

This is a strong choice for:

• First-time sketchers who want calm, practical guidance
• Artists who want to practice drawing Florence on location
• Couples seeking a shared activity away from museum lines
• Families with older children or teenagers interested in art
• Visitors who want a handmade souvenir instead of another shop purchase
• Anyone who wants time to notice the city at a slower pace

It may not suit you if you dislike sitting outdoors, prefer a fast-moving itinerary, or want a formal art-school curriculum. The location can change, and the activity depends on your willingness to work with the weather and surroundings.

The class is wheelchair friendly, but you must tell Betty in advance so she can prepare the session for your needs. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but advance communication is important for access arrangements.

Practical details before you book

The experience lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes and begins and ends at the meeting point. Betty supplies all materials used during the class, so you can travel light.

A mobile ticket is available, and confirmation is provided when you book. The activity accepts up to 10 people. It is commonly booked about 34 days ahead, so do not assume a convenient date will remain open at the last minute.

The activity has a full refund cancellation window up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the local start time are not refunded or accepted. If the minimum number of participants is not reached and the class is canceled, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

You can find Betty’s work and related Florence art information through the Instagram profiles @bettyritschel, @myflorenceexperience, and @florencewatercolours. These are useful if you want a better sense of the artistic focus before booking.

Should you book the Florence watercolor workshop?

Book it if you want to experience Florence with a pencil in your hand, not just a phone in front of your face. Betty’s patient, personal instruction, supplied materials, small maximum group, and dependable rain plan make this a practical choice for beginners and returning artists alike.

Skip it if your schedule is too tight for two and a half hours or if your main goal is a guided tour of monuments. The exact outdoor location can change, and this is a lesson first, not a sightseeing route.

For most art-curious visitors, the best reason to go is simple: you leave with a drawing, a watercolor, and a better way to look at Florence. That is a useful souvenir, and one you can keep making long after the Dome disappears from view.

FAQ

Where does the workshop begin?

The listed meeting point is Piazza del Duomo, 10, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the workshop last?

The class lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Is the class held outdoors?

Yes. It is an outdoor activity inspired by Florence’s buildings, sights, and sounds.

What happens if it rains?

In rain or bad weather, the class takes place on a covered terrace with a view of the Dome of Florence.

Do I need to bring art supplies?

No. Betty brings the materials needed for the class.

Can beginners join?

Yes. The class is suitable for beginners and experienced artists. Betty provides guidance on composition, perspective, light and shade, color mixing, techniques, and materials.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of 10 participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.