Leonardo’s lines meet modern techniques in Florence. In a small studio on Via Coluccio Salutati, you pick a hands-on art track—classic Leonardian drawing or something more contemporary—and you leave with a tangible result. I especially like the calm, step-by-step teaching style I’ve seen described by the instructors, and how much you’re given so you can focus on creating instead of hunting for supplies. One thing to consider: in three hours, you’ll choose one main workshop focus, so you won’t do every option in a single session.

This is a private activity, so your group gets the attention of the teacher running the class. The lesson is offered in English, and you’re not stuck guessing what to do—there’s structure, materials, and time to actually make progress. If you’re hoping for a hands-on art day rather than a quick demo, this format makes a lot of sense.

Key things to know before you go

• Choose your class focus on arrival (Leonardian drawing, clay relief, botanical plaster casting, palette knife oil, watercolor, gold leaf watercolor, or a Van Gogh-style option)
• Traditional tools and methods for drawing using sanguine, sepia, or charcoal while you reproduce a famous sketch
• Materials are included for the class you select, plus snacks
• You’ll work in a studio, not a classroom—it’s meant to feel personal and practical
• Sculpture casts aren’t included, so that part is limited to what the session provides
• Private group setup means you’re not sharing teacher time with strangers

Entering the Geko Art Studio on Via Coluccio Salutati

This workshop starts in a real working studio setting, not a big tourist production. Your meeting point is Geko Art Studio Florence, Via Coluccio Salutati, 3r, 50126 Firenze FI. From there, you’ll spend about 3 hours creating your chosen piece, then return to the same spot to wrap up.

Location matters in Florence. The studio is near public transportation, so you can pair it with other sightseeing without building your whole day around a long trek. Also, you get a mobile ticket, and you receive confirmation at booking, which keeps the whole day straightforward.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes calm experiences over crowds, the private setup helps a lot. You’re not waiting for a translator line or competing for attention. Instead, the teacher can guide you in a way that keeps beginners from feeling lost.

Your menu of art options in one 3-hour session

The biggest reason this workshop is fun is simple: you get a real choice. You can pick one of several hands-on tracks, and each one uses different materials and techniques—so you’re not stuck doing the same thing no matter your interests.

Here are the options you can choose from:

• Leonardian drawing session: follow a traditional drawing process on paper using sanguine, sepia, or charcoal, reproducing one of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous sketches.
• Low artistic relief (clay modeling): create a small figurative relief in clay, working from a sculptural approach.
• Botanical plaster casting workshop: make reliefs and drawings using plants, flowers, and sculptures on clay, then take your plaster mold home.
• Palette knife painting class: make a small oil painting using a palette knife instead of brushes.
• Watercolor class: learn watercolor by painting naturalistic details like flowers or fruit.
• Watercolor with gold leaf: apply gold leaf to your watercolor for a more decorative finish.
• Van Gogh style: create a painting using the technique and style associated with Van Gogh.

This menu is the value sweet spot. If you’re traveling with someone who likes sculpture but you want paint, you still get a guided class. And if you come back to Florence later, you can choose a different option the next time. In other words, this studio day works as either a first art experience or a second deep dive—without feeling repetitive.

The Leonardian drawing session: sanguine, sepia, and charcoal in the old way

If you choose Leonardian drawing, you’re not doing abstract doodles for vibes. The goal is to follow a traditional process and reproduce a famous sketch using drawing materials like sanguine, sepia, or charcoal.

What I like about this kind of session is how it trains your eye. You’re forced to slow down and pay attention to form—shading, proportion, and the logic behind the lines. It also tends to feel satisfying because the “subject” is recognizable: you’re working toward a known Leonardo sketch rather than inventing something from scratch.

In practice, you’ll work with paper and pencils provided for the drawing portion. That matters if you’re traveling light. You can spend your mental energy on the craft, not the logistics.

Possible drawback: if you’re only interested in watercolor or painting, the Leonardian track can feel more disciplined and less free-form. But if you want that classic skill-building experience, this option is the most grounded in Renaissance-style method.

Low artistic relief and botanical plaster casting: texture you can take home

For the sculpture-minded, you have two hands-on paths, both centered on relief.

Low artistic relief (clay modeling)

You create a small figurative relief using clay modeling and a clay support. This is a great choice if you like making something tactile and slightly dimensional. Instead of focusing on brushwork, you’re shaping surfaces and thinking about how the form reads from the front.

One thing to note: casts are excluded. That tells you the session is focused on the clay-and-relief step rather than producing additional cast outputs.

Botanical plaster casting workshop

This one is playful and very “Florence,” in the best way: you use plants, flowers, and sculptures on clay, then create plaster reliefs and bring the plaster mold home. You’ll also work on reliefs and drawings using those plant textures.

I find this type of workshop especially rewarding because it mixes art with observation. You’re looking closely at shapes and textures, and then translating them into a physical imprint. It’s also a nice change from painting if your hands get bored of the same motions.

Palette knife oil: painting with decisions, not brushes

If you’ve ever watched oil paint dry and thought, I could never do that, this class uses a workaround: the palette knife.

Instead of brushes, you’ll create a small oil painting using a knife. That shifts the whole technique. It tends to make color placement more intentional, with visible texture and bold marks. You’re not trying to blend like a traditional brush portrait; you’re shaping the surface.

This is also a good option if you like modern, graphic results. Palette knife work often looks exciting fast because the texture shows immediately. And since canvas and colors are included, you can jump right in.

Watercolor with or without gold leaf: bright detail and a little drama

For watercolor, the class is aimed at naturalistic detail—think flowers or fruit—so you can practice control without needing a complex subject.

Watercolor can be intimidating because it behaves differently than acrylic or gouache. The session format helps because you’re learning the technique with a guided structure, and you’re working at a scale that fits the 3-hour time window.

Then there’s the option that makes people stop and stare: watercolor with gold leaf. You apply gold leaf to your watercolor, which adds a reflective, decorative quality. It’s a fun way to make something feel special without needing advanced drawing skills.

Van Gogh style: a guided nod to a famous look

The Van Gogh option focuses on technique and style associated with the famous artist. You’ll create a painting in that direction during your studio time, using the class structure to help you translate inspiration into something you can finish.

This is a smart pick if you want the emotional, expressive feel of a known style but still want real instruction. It’s less about copying brush-for-brush and more about learning what makes that style work.

The teachers: patient, clear guidance that builds confidence

What makes this workshop feel worth it isn’t just the variety. It’s the teaching approach.

You’ll likely work closely with the instructors, and the private setup supports that. In examples from past classes, instructors like Rosanna, Katherina, and Octavio have been highlighted for patient, clear instructions and keeping beginners comfortable. One-on-one or very small group guidance makes a big difference in art classes, because the teacher can correct what you’re doing before you repeat the same mistake for an hour.

Also, the studio emphasizes preparation. People have pointed out they receive helpful info in advance and even practical transit tips, which is exactly what you want in Florence when you’re balancing museums, lines, and getting everywhere on time.

Price and value: what $114.02 really buys you

At $114.02 per person for about 3 hours, you’re paying for three things:

1. Teacher time and guided instruction.
2. A private studio experience (your group only).
3. Materials for the option you choose.

The included items are practical: snacks, and art supplies depending on your class choice—paper and pencils for drawing, clay and support for sculpture, and canvas and colors for painting. That is real value, because supplies can add up fast when you buy them in tourist areas.

The only “watch this” item is for the sculpture track: casts are excluded. So if you’re specifically hoping for a finished cast object beyond the mold or relief created in class, double-check what you’ll actually take home based on your chosen option.

Practical tips so you enjoy the day (and not stress it)

Because the studio supplies key materials, you can keep your packing simple. You don’t need to show up with specialized tools for drawing or painting.

If you’re choosing a clay or plaster-based workshop, it’s smart to plan for hands-on work. You might want comfy clothes that can handle mess, and a bag you don’t mind using for your finished piece and any mold you take home. For painting classes, you’ll likely want to protect your work during travel—bring a plan for transporting your piece safely after the session.

For your schedule, the studio timing is built for a self-contained 3-hour block. That makes it easy to place into a Florence day between museums and meals without feeling like you’re racing across town.

Who should book this workshop?

This one fits well if you:

• Want a hands-on art lesson in Florence rather than another walking tour.
• Feel nervous about starting from zero and want structured guidance.
• Like variety and want to choose between drawing, relief, plaster textures, or painting methods.
• Are traveling with a partner or family member and want an activity that feels personal, not crowded.

It’s also a strong option for people who already draw or paint a little. Even if you’re “not a beginner,” having a teacher guide you through a specific method (especially the Leonardian approach or palette knife technique) can sharpen skills quickly.

If you’re mainly after museum-quality masterpieces and don’t care about making anything yourself, this may not be your best use of time. But if you want a finished object by the end of the session, this delivers.

Should you book? My straight take

I think you should book this workshop if you want a real art-making day in Florence with clear instruction, a private setup, and materials included. The Leonardian drawing option is the best match for people who love craft and disciplined technique, while the clay relief and botanical plaster casting options are great if you want something tactile and take-home.

If you’re short on time or hate making choices, keep expectations aligned: you’ll likely pick one workshop focus in the 3-hour window, so do it for the experience you care most about—or plan a return and pick a different track next time.

FAQ

How long is the Leonardian Drawings & art workshop?

The class lasts about 3 hours.

Where do I meet for the workshop in Florence?

Meet at Geko Art Studio Florence, Via Coluccio Salutati, 3r, 50126 Firenze FI, Italy. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is the workshop private?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

What language is the workshop taught in?

The workshop is offered in English.

What art options can I choose from?

You can choose among: Leonardian drawing, low artistic relief with clay modeling, botanical plaster casting, palette knife painting, watercolor, watercolor with gold leaf, or a Van Gogh-style painting option.

What’s included in the price?

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

Are sculpture casts included?

No. For sculpture, casts are excluded.

Is there any help getting there?

The studio is near public transportation, and you receive confirmation at booking. Some participants have also noted getting transit instructions in advance.