Florence turns art lessons into studio time. This class is interesting because you can learn the Leonardian drawing method plus more modern techniques, all in one morning or afternoon. I like the patient instruction I’ve seen highlighted by instructors such as Katherina and Octavio, and I also love that you choose from seven different creative tracks. The main drawback is simple, you do only one workshop per booking, so you’ll need a second session if you want everything.

You meet at Geko Art Studio Florence on Via Coluccio Salutati, and it’s set up as a private activity for your group. You also get snacks, a mobile ticket, and instruction in English, which makes it easier than those “stand around and watch” art experiences.

By the end, you’re not just learning theory, you leave with your finished piece, including take-home results like a plaster mold from the botanical casting option. If you’re visiting Florence and want a hands-on art moment without needing to be an artist already, this is the kind of activity that delivers.

Key things to know before you create

• Leonardian drawing options: follow the traditional process on paper using sanguine, sepia, or charcoal, reproducing one of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous sketches.
• Pick one of seven tracks: drawing, low relief clay modeling, botanical plaster casting, palette knife oil, watercolor, watercolor with gold leaf, or a Van Gogh style painting.
• Snacks and full materials are included for what you choose (paper and pencils, clay and support, canvas and colors).
• It’s a private studio session with your group only, led by specialist teachers.
• You can take something real home, like a plaster mold in the botanical casting workshop.
• Casts are excluded for the sculpting-related relief work, so you’re working with what’s provided in class.

Inside Geko Art Studio in Florence, a real work-space

This is not a museum lecture. It’s a working studio in Florence where the focus is on doing the art, not just looking at it.

You start at Geko Art Studio Florence, Via Coluccio Salutati, 3r (50126 Firenze FI). That matters because studio settings feel different from classrooms. The tools are laid out for you, the teachers can correct your hand position and angle of approach quickly, and you’re not fighting the clock the way you might in a “drop in” class. Also, the studio location is described as near public transportation, so you should be able to reach it without a major plan.

It’s also offered in English, which is a big deal for art instruction. Drawing and painting are visual skills, but good teachers still need a shared language to explain what to do next and why. In this case, you get that instruction in English and you can move at a beginner-friendly pace.

Finally, the session is private for your group only. Even if your group is two people, you’re still getting teacher attention tuned to your questions. That’s one reason this kind of experience tends to work well in Florence, where so many things are either too crowded or too passive.

Pick your workshop: Leonardian drawing, clay relief, plaster casting, and painting styles

Here’s the core decision: you choose what you want to make before the class starts. The workshop list is long enough that you can match it to your interests, but focused enough that you’re not juggling everything at once.

1) Leonardian drawing session

This is the headline for a reason. You’ll follow a traditional drawing process on paper using sanguine, sepia, or charcoal. Then you reproduce one of the sketches most famous of the Tuscan genius, Leonardo da Vinci.

For you, the value is in how method-based it is. Even if you’ve never drawn before, it’s easier to learn when the “what” and “how” are structured. This option also gives you a strong Florence connection because Leonardo is part of the city’s creative identity, but here you’re not reading about him, you’re using the same style of materials and approach.

Practical note: drawing with charcoal and sanguine can be messy on fingers and clothing. If you’re sensitive about that, wear something you can live in for a few hours.

2) Low artistic relief using clay modeling

If you want 3D, you’ll create a small relief depicting a figurative sculpture. You work with clay and a support, guided through the modeling process.

This is a great contrast to flat drawing. Instead of learning how to “see” in lines, you’re learning how to shape form in layers. It’s also a fun option for people who like tactile work and want their hands busy rather than their sketchbook.

One key consideration: casts are excluded. That means you’re making the relief using the materials and support provided in class, but you’re not getting any cast set as part of the package.

3) Botanical plaster casting workshop

This one is hands-on and a little magical if you like natural forms. You’ll create reliefs and drawings using plants, flowers, and sculptures on clay, then you bring the plaster mold home.

This is a nice choice if you like the idea of “making something from objects” rather than starting from a blank page. The learning payoff is that you’ll see how texture transfers and how shapes work when they’re translated into a mold. And you get a practical souvenir, the plaster mold, which gives the workshop an end-point you can actually keep.

Practical note: you’ll be working with clay and molds. Plan for a little mess and bring clothes that can handle it.

4) Palette knife painting class (small oil painting)

If you’ve ever watched someone paint and thought brushes look too fussy, this is for you. You’ll create a small oil painting using a palette knife instead of brushes.

Palette knife painting tends to teach control in a different way. You’re shaping paint with pressure and edges, so you learn how to build texture and highlights through technique rather than line work. It’s also a good entry point because you’re not trying to imitate tiny details with a brush tip. You’ll likely find it easier to get satisfying results faster.

5) Watercolor class (naturalistic details)

You’ll discover watercolor technique by painting naturalistic details such as flowers or fruit.

Watercolor is a classic “Florence-friendly” choice because it matches the city’s light and color. The practical appeal here is that the subject matter is straightforward, and the goal is learning the technique through something you can recognize and compose.

6) Watercolor with gold leaf

Same watercolor foundation, upgraded with gold leaf. You apply gold leaf to your watercolor work.

This is one of the more visually dramatic options because gold leaf catches light in a way regular pigment can’t. The value for you is learning a specialty effect without needing equipment at home. If you want a piece that looks a bit more “art-world” than “I painted this from a photo,” this is the track.

7) Van Gogh style painting

You’ll create a painting with the technique and style of the famous Flemish artist Van Gogh.

This is for you if you like the idea of getting stylistic guidance rather than just learning materials. You’re being pointed toward a recognizable look, which helps many first-timers feel confident quickly. It also gives you an easy talking point afterward, because “I learned this style” is more memorable than “I learned watercolor.”

How the 3-hour session usually works in a studio setting

The duration is about 3 hours. In studio classes, that time is usually spent on three phases: settle in, get taught, then make.

First, you’ll be checked in at the studio. The experience is set up to reduce friction, and at least one participant notes they received advanced information and even transit instructions, which helps you show up with less stress and more attention.

Next comes the choosing and orientation. Since you select a specific workshop type, you’ll jump into your track’s materials and technique. That’s important because every track uses different tools and different ways of thinking.

Then the main work begins. A specialist teacher guides you step-by-step, correcting small movements and giving you encouragement so you keep going when something feels awkward at first. One account specifically praised patient, clear direction that helped maintain confidence during a new creative process.

Finally, you wrap with your finished piece. For the botanical option, you’ll bring home the plaster mold. For drawing and painting options, you leave with what you made on-site, which is a big part of why this kind of experience feels satisfying.

Materials, snacks, and what you should bring

This class has a very practical “supplies handled” approach. Your price includes snacks plus the materials for your chosen technique.

Included materials are listed by category:

• For drawing: paper and pencils
• For sculpture/relief: clay and support
• For painting: canvas and colors

That matters for value. You’re not paying extra for the basics or finding out later you need to buy tools at an art shop.

Two more practical points:

1) For the sculpture relief option, casts are excluded. So if you expected a finished cast product, you should plan around that.

2) Since you’ll handle clay, paint, and sometimes gold leaf, wear comfortable clothing. You might find it helps to wear something you don’t worry about.

Also, you get a mobile ticket. You’ll want your phone accessible at check-in.

Teachers like Katherina and Octavio keep the experience beginner-friendly

Even when a workshop has a “master method” name, the real success factor is teaching. In this case, I’d put the instruction quality at the top of the list based on the strong feedback tied to the teachers.

Katherina is mentioned for providing clear, patient instruction. Octavio is repeatedly described as communicative, welcoming, and especially good at helping people build confidence while learning a new process. One account even highlights a one-on-one experience, which fits the private format.

For you, this matters because technique can feel mysterious early on. If you’re unsure what to do with your hand, your page, or your color choices, a good instructor’s job is to take the mystery away fast. Here, you’re guided in a way that can work even for complete beginners.

This is also why choosing the right workshop matters. When you pick a track you actually want, it’s easier to stay motivated during the full 3 hours.

If you’re traveling with a child or parent, this style of teaching can work well because encouragement is part of the process, not an afterthought.

Price and value: what $114.02 buys you in Florence

The price is $114.02 per person for roughly 3 hours, offered in English, and described as a private activity for your group only.

At first glance, it’s not “cheap.” But in Florence, you’re paying for a studio setting, specialist teachers, private attention, snacks, and materials. That’s a lot included, especially for the painting and sculpture tracks where supplies can add up quickly.

Here’s how I think about value for this workshop:

• You get teacher time, not just a ticket.
• You get materials for the technique you picked.
• You leave with a finished piece, including take-home items for the plaster option.
• You reduce uncertainty. With structured steps and clear instruction, you don’t spend the class stuck wondering what comes next.

Another subtle value point is timing. These workshops are booked well in advance on average, around 58 days. That’s a signal that you should plan ahead if your Florence dates are fixed.

Getting there near public transportation and finding the studio

You’ll meet at Geko Art Studio Florence on Via Coluccio Salutati, 3r. The address is specific and the location is described as near public transportation, so you should be able to reach it without a long taxi ride.

One nice detail from real-world accounts is that participants received transit instructions in advance. If you like to arrive early and not scramble, treat that as a good sign. When you’re focused on art supplies and concentration, you don’t want to burn time figuring out the route.

If you’re using a map app, zoom in to the exact street number so you can confirm you’re at the studio entrance.

Who this Florence art workshop suits best (and who might not)

This is a great match if you want:

• A hands-on art class with a finished output
• A Florence activity that isn’t only walking and viewing
• A choice of techniques, from Leonardian drawing to gold leaf watercolor
• Private instruction in English
• A beginner-friendly setting with patient guidance

It might not be the best fit if you’re the type who wants to sample lots of different mediums in a single afternoon. Since you select one workshop type per booking, you’ll have to return if you want the full sampler platter.

Also, if you’re very time-sensitive and hate any studio mess or handling (clay, paint), you might want to choose the drawing or watercolor options instead of the clay relief and plaster casting track.

Should you book Leonardian Drawings & art workshop in Florence?

If you want an authentic Florence art moment where you actually make something, I’d say yes. The combination of private studio instruction, a structured approach, included materials, and clear take-home results makes this feel like a complete experience rather than a half-hearted activity.

Book it if you’re excited by the idea of Leonardian-style drawing or you want a modern twist like palette knife oil or gold leaf watercolor. Skip it only if your goal is to do many mediums in one go, since each booking focuses on one chosen track.

If you’re planning Florence with kids or with someone who worries about drawing, I especially like the beginner-friendly tone that instructors bring, including encouragement from teachers like Katherina and Octavio.

FAQ

How long is the Leonardian Drawings and art workshop in Florence?

The workshop lasts about 3 hours.

What language is the class taught in?

The experience is offered in English.

Is this a private class or shared with other groups?

It’s a private tour or activity. Only your group participates.

What workshop options can I choose from?

You can choose from: Leonardian drawing session; low artistic relief with clay modeling; botanical plaster casting workshop; palette knife painting class; watercolor class; watercolor with gold leaf; or a Van Gogh style painting.

What is included in the price?

Snacks are included, along with the materials for your chosen activity (paper and pencils for drawing, clay and support for sculpture, and canvas and colors for painting).

What is not included for the sculpture or relief option?

Casts are excluded.

Where do I meet for the workshop?

The meeting point is Geko Art Studio Florence, Via Coluccio Salutati, 3r, 50126 Firenze FI, Italy.

Will I receive confirmation and a mobile ticket?

You receive confirmation at booking, and the experience includes a mobile ticket.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and cut-off times are based on local experience time. If the activity is canceled because the minimum number of travelers is not met, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.