Florence: Painting experience, create your Florentine Lily!

The most unusual souvenir in Florence may be one you make yourself. In Andrea’s studio, you’ll create the city’s familiar lily symbol on canvas, building it with pencil, gold foil, glue, and tempera paint. This is not a quick paint-and-sip session. You’ll use several traditional methods, including gilding and the dusting technique.

I like two things right away: the class is limited to four participants, and Andrea brings 25 years of experience as an artist and painting professor. His teaching is patient and practical, making old methods approachable even if you have never held a paintbrush seriously. The possible drawback is the price, $141.61 per person, which is a lot for a three-hour activity unless you value personal instruction and a handmade keepsake.

Key points at a glance

• Create Florence’s lily: Make your own version of the city’s recognizable floral emblem on canvas.
• Learn gilding: Apply gold foil to form a luminous background behind the painted lily.
• Work with Andrea: Receive step-by-step instruction from an artist and painting professor with 25 years of experience.
• Small studio class: With no more than four participants, you should have room for questions and individual help.
• Take home your artwork: Your finished painting becomes a personal Florence souvenir or a gift.
• Plan for three hours: The class takes place at 22 Via Enrico Petrella, in Andrea’s studio on the third floor.

Why this Florence art class feels different

Florence is packed with paintings to admire, but this experience asks you to slow down and make one. That shift matters. Instead of only looking at gold backgrounds and careful outlines in museums and churches, you’ll handle the materials and see how a decorative image comes together.

The subject is the Florentine lily, one of the city’s most recognizable symbols. Your finished piece will show the lily against a gold background, with the flower painted in a color of your choice. That gives you some freedom while keeping the project focused enough to complete in one sitting.

I like the balance here. You are not left to invent a complicated composition from scratch, yet the final color lets the painting feel personal. You can follow Andrea’s structure and still make a piece that reflects your taste.

This is also a practical choice for people who want more than a standard souvenir. A shop-bought postcard is easy to pack, but it says little about your time in Florence. A painting made during a lesson with a local artist carries a clearer memory, even if the brushwork is not museum quality.

Meeting Andrea at 22 Via Enrico Petrella

The class begins at 22 Via Enrico Petrella. When you arrive, buzz the doorbell marked Bacalini, and Andrea will let you in. His studio is on the third floor, and an elevator is available.

That arrival information is worth saving before you set out. This is a working studio rather than a major public attraction, so you should not expect a large sign or a formal visitor entrance. Keep the address and doorbell name handy, and allow enough time to find the building before your chosen start time.

The activity ends at the same place. There is no sightseeing route or transport between several locations. That keeps the three hours centered on the artwork, but it also means you should plan your own route to and from the studio.

Andrea teaches in English, Spanish, and Italian. If you are booking for a mixed-language group, check that your preferred language is available for the selected time. The small group limit of four is one of the strongest practical features. You are not competing with a large crowd for help with a delicate brushstroke or a sheet of gold foil.

Beginning with the lily design

Andrea starts by explaining the painting methods and the materials used during the lesson. This introduction gives the activity some useful context. You will not simply copy a shape without knowing what the tools are doing.

The first hands-on step uses a small prop to carve the lily’s shape onto the canvas. You then trace the design with the dusting technique. The process involves forming a pattern of dots and joining those dots in pencil to create the image.

This method may sound more technical than drawing the flower freehand, but that is part of the appeal. It gives beginners a clear path into the project. You do not need to arrive with drawing experience, and you are not being judged on your ability to sketch a perfect lily from memory.

I also like that the design is built in stages. You begin with a simple guide, then gradually turn it into a recognizable image. For a first-time painter, that structure can take away much of the pressure. You can focus on following instructions instead of wondering what to do next.

The activity is suitable for people without previous art experience, but it is not intended for children under 10. That age restriction makes sense for a class involving glue, gold foil, painting tools, and several careful steps.

Applying the gold foil background

The gilding stage is the visual heart of the class. You place gold foil onto the painting, creating the background around the lily. Then you remove the foil from within the edges of the flower design, leaving the gold around the painted shape.

This is the sort of technique that is much easier to appreciate after trying it yourself. Gold leaf or foil can look effortless when finished, but applying it neatly requires care. The material is part of the image, not just decoration added at the end.

The gold background also gives the finished piece a strong Florentine character. It connects your small canvas with the decorative methods associated with the great painters of the past, while keeping the project manageable for a three-hour class.

You should expect this part to be hands-on. The supplied materials include canvas, pencils, brushes, glue, tempera, paints, props, and gold foil. You will be using the tools rather than watching a demonstration from a distance, so it is a good fit if you enjoy making things with your hands.

The gilding step is also where individual guidance matters most. Andrea can explain how to place the foil and how to work around the lily’s outline. With only four people in the studio, you should be able to ask for help when a step feels uncertain.

Painting the flower with tempera

Once the gold background is ready, you paint the lily in the color of your choice using tempera. This is where the image becomes distinctly yours. The gold gives the piece its Florentine frame of reference, while the chosen flower color lets you depart from a single fixed model.

Tempera is one of the traditional painting methods introduced in the class. Andrea explains the process as you work, so you are not expected to arrive knowing how the paint behaves or how to handle the brush.

The final stage should feel satisfying because the earlier steps now come together. The carved and dusted outline gives the flower its shape, the gold foil sets it apart from the canvas, and the paint supplies the main color. By the end, you have a finished lily rather than a half-completed craft project.

I would approach this with the right expectation. You are taking a class, not commissioning a professional painting. Your result will reflect your own hand, which is exactly the point. Andrea’s role is to guide the process, explain the methods, and help you produce something you are happy to carry home.

His teaching style is described as kind, patient, and encouraging. He also makes the art accessible while allowing you to make the work your own. That combination is especially useful for beginners who want instruction without feeling that every brushstroke must be perfect.

What the $141.61 price buys you

At $141.61 per person, this is not a budget activity. You are paying more than you would for a casual craft workshop or a short museum demonstration.

The value comes from the personal format. The price includes a full three-hour interactive class, all tools and materials, instruction from Andrea, and the painting you make. You are also buying a structured lesson in several techniques rather than simply spending time at a table with paint.

The small group size strengthens the case for the cost. A class of four allows for more direct help than a large group, particularly during the gilding and painting stages. Andrea’s 25 years of experience and work as a painting professor also give the lesson a solid instructional foundation.

Still, the price will not suit everyone. If you mainly want a quick souvenir or a low-cost afternoon activity, Florence’s galleries, markets, and public sights will give you more time for less money. This class makes more sense if you value the process, want to learn something practical, and care about taking home an object you created.

The artwork itself is part of the value, but I would not judge the experience by retail comparisons. The point is not whether the finished canvas would sell for $141.61 in a shop. The point is that you make it in Florence, under guidance, using methods you can understand and remember.

Who should book this activity

This class suits adults and children aged 10 and older who like creative work and want a break from sightseeing. You do not need previous painting experience. The step-by-step format gives beginners a reasonable way into the project.

It is also a good choice for couples, friends, and family members who want a shared activity without joining a large tour group. Since the class is limited to four, it can feel more like a private studio lesson than a standard group attraction.

Art students and experienced painters may enjoy the chance to practice gilding and tempera methods, but they should keep their expectations realistic. This is a compact introduction built around one finished lily, not an advanced multi-day course.

I would be more cautious about booking it for very young children, anyone who dislikes careful handwork, or people who want a fast, highly scheduled activity. The painting develops through several steps, and the three-hour duration requires patience.

It may also be a welcome choice on a day when you need a quieter indoor plan. The class does not depend on walking between monuments or waiting in lines. You spend the session in one studio, focused on a single project.

Timing, language, and practical planning

The activity lasts three hours, with start times depending on availability. Check the schedule before booking, and allow time to reach Via Enrico Petrella.

English, Spanish, and Italian are offered. If language is important to your enjoyment, select the option that lets you follow detailed instructions comfortably. Painting methods are easier to learn when you can understand the explanation about materials and technique.

All necessary materials are included, so you do not need to bring a canvas, brushes, paint, glue, or gold foil. The key thing to bring is enough time to complete the project without feeling rushed.

Because the class takes place in a studio, you should think of it as a focused workshop rather than a sightseeing stop. You will not be touring the neighborhood as part of the activity, and the experience begins and ends at the same address.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which is useful if your Florence schedule is still taking shape.

The best reasons to choose Andrea’s studio

The strongest feature is the personal instruction. Andrea’s experience, patient manner, and encouraging approach make the class approachable for beginners while still giving the work some traditional grounding.

The second strength is the gilding. Applying gold foil adds a special finish that you are unlikely to get from a basic painting workshop. It also makes the final piece feel tied to Florence rather than being a generic canvas.

The third is the finished souvenir. You leave with the painting you created, not only a photograph or a certificate. You can keep it as a reminder of the city or give it to a friend or family member.

The one point I would weigh carefully is the cost. At $141.61, the class needs to be more than a way to fill an afternoon. Book it if you want to learn, work with traditional materials, and leave with a personal object. Skip it if your main goal is to see as many sights as possible at the lowest possible price.

Should you book the Florentine lily class?

I would recommend this experience if you want a creative, small-group activity with a clear result. The four-person limit, Andrea’s long teaching experience, and the chance to use gilding and tempera techniques give it more substance than a simple souvenir workshop.

The best match is someone who enjoys making things and appreciates a calm lesson. You do not need artistic training, and the design process gives you enough structure to get started. The gold-backed lily also makes a thoughtful gift because it connects the object directly to Florence.

I would pass if you want a broad art lecture, a museum visit, or a cheap activity. This is three hours devoted to one canvas, and the price reflects the individual attention and included materials.

For the right person, though, the value is clear: you learn a traditional process, work with a local artist, and take home a handmade Florentine symbol that no shop can duplicate.

FAQ

How long does the Florentine lily painting class last?

The activity lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing your date.

Where does the class take place?

The class takes place at Andrea’s studio at 22 Via Enrico Petrella in Florence. Buzz the doorbell marked Bacalini when you arrive. The studio is on the third floor, with an elevator.

Who teaches the class?

Andrea teaches the class. He is an artist and painting professor with 25 years of experience.

Which languages are available?

The class is offered in English, Spanish, and Italian.

What materials are included?

The class includes the canvas, pencils, brushes, glue, tempera, paints, props, and gold foil needed to create the Florentine lily.

Can I take the painting home?

Yes. You take home the painting you create during the class.

Is previous painting experience required?

No. The activity is suitable for beginners and does not require previous artistic experience. Children under 10 are not permitted.