The Florence Watercolor Diaries

A small collection of watercolor experiences for travelers who want to slow down and create something personal in Florence.

Five women s"Watercolor painting workshop with aperitivo at a luxury Florence restaurant.

Live Watercolor Souvenir in a Café in Florence, Italy

Some memories are better carried home on paper.

This experience involves a personal watercolor keepsake created to remember your time in Florence. I illustrate you, or you and your companions, over coffee and an Italian treat, capturing your essence through my eyes.

It may take place in the morning or early afternoon in a charming Italian café. We will have a friendly chat about art and artist life in Italy, and when the painting is finished, you leave with a one-of-a-kind souvenir that belongs only to you. It is a hand-painted record of having been here.

The illustration is made in my whimsical, vintage-inspired style, using archival materials, and is designed to be packed easily into a suitcase and kept for a lifetime.

Details

• Location: Café, garden, or outdoor setting in Florence

• Duration: Approximately 30–45 minutes per painting

• Medium: Watercolor on fine art paper

• Availability: Limited, by inquiry only

• Group Size: 1 to 4 people

For travelers looking to collect memories rather than objects.

Hand-painted watercolor souvenirs of Florence created live for a luxury traveler.
Hand-painted watercolor souvenir of a garden landscape with trees and pink flowers, in progress on watercolor paper.
A woman smiling and holding a hand-painted watercolor souvenir in Florence, Italy in a green dress, with a stone wall and lamps in the background.
Artist Studio Sheean live-sketching watercolor guest portraits sitting at a table painting fashion illustrations with watercolor paints. The table has decorative paper napkins, a glass of water, and sketches. The background features a stone wall, a c
A diverse group of six women standing indoors, holding colorful Italy guest portraits illustrations of women in fashionable outfits, smiling at the camera, with lush greenery outside the windows behind them.
A smiling woman and man sitting together inside a cafe, holding a hand-painted Florence souvenir of a woman and man. The woman in the painting is wearing a pink skirt and yellow top, and the man is wearing yellow pants and a green jacket. The woman i
Woman smiling and wearing a crown, holding a Florence Italy watercolor souvenir featuring a woman in a red dress, in a room with stone walls and vintage furniture.
Woman holding an Italy watercolor portrait illustration of a woman standing in a field of flowers, partially covering her face, in front of a stone wall.

Watercolor Aperitivo

A Grand Tour Afternoon

Step into a Venetian restaurant tucked inside the center of Florence and slow the day down.

This two-hour private watercolor aperitivo is designed for travelers who want more than sightseeing. It is an invitation to sit, observe, taste, and make something by hand in a beautiful setting, guided by a professional illustrator.

We begin gently. You are introduced to watercolor through simple, foundational techniques: mixing color, controlling water, learning how to let the paint do part of the work. No experience is required. This is not about perfection, but attention.

Guests then choose a subject to paint, working from carefully selected references inspired by Italian life. Aperitivo scenes, wine glasses catching the light, olives and citrus, rustic table settings, cicchetti from Venice, flowers, architectural details, or quiet Italian moments that feel postcard-worthy.

Throughout the afternoon, guests enjoy wine or spritz and a tasting of seasonal Venetian-style bites provided by the restaurant. Cicchetti are small, thoughtful dishes traditionally enjoyed in Venice’s bacari, meant to be savored slowly with good conversation.

By the end, you leave not only with a painting you made yourself, but with the rare feeling of having stepped briefly into the rhythm of Italian life.

Artistic social event in Florence: guests painting Tuscan oil with a glass of wine
Watercolor painting of purple irises on white paper, with reference photo of real irises nearby, on a wooden table with painting supplies around during a private art lesson in Florence Italy.
A smiling woman with glasses, short curly hair, in a blue sweater, holding a card with a watercolor painting of olive oil. Bespoke live sketching for tourists looking for authentic art experiences in Florence Italy.
People participating in a flower painting or botanical art class in Florence Italy with watercolor paints, photographs of plants, and a table filled with snacks, drinks, and art supplies.
Watercolor sketch of a cypress-lined Tuscan landscape painted during a Florence workshop
"Guests enjoying a watercolor painting workshop with Italian aperitivo at a sun-drenched restaurant table in Italy.
The social atmosphere of a private watercolor class in Florence Italy, featuring guests sketching and sipping cocktails in an elegant restaurant.
Artistic study of a Tuscan irises painted in soft watercolor washes during a painting experience in Florence, Italy
Studio Sheean art students painting botanical flowers while enjoying traditional Italian appetizers and wine in a historic setting.
Woman sitting at a table in Italy painting a purple flower at a private watercolor workshop in Florence, with art supplies and photographs on the table.
Woman smiling at the camera, holding a hand-drawn diagram of a cheese plate that labels various cheeses and accompaniments, seated at a restaurant table with various drinks and a photograph of a cheese platter on the table at a watercolor painting w
A woman smiling inside a room decorated with books, artwork, and yellow lemons on a vase, holding a painting of a cocktail with a bottle, glass, lemon wedge, and ice. In front of her on a table are three small appetizers topped with diced tomatoes, s
A girl in a yellow jacket is painting a picture of a hot air balloon, with watercolors and a paintbrush. There is a partially eaten croissant and a glass of coffee on the table.
A woman smiling and showing a watercolor painting of pink flowers and green leaves, outside a cafe with large windows and a street view.
A young girl with long blonde hair holding a colorful drawing of buildings, standing on a balcony with potted plants on a sunny day in a European town square with white buildings and a statue.
Two women smiling and looking at a table with colorful food and drinks, surrounded by lush green plants in an indoor conservatory or garden setting.
Two women are seated at a table, one is sketching and the other is observing. There are various art supplies, glasses of white wine, and plates of food on the table.
A man in a beige sweater holding a colorful painting of pink flowers with green leaves, standing inside a warmly lit restaurant or cafe.
A group of four women sitting around a table in a restaurant, raising their glasses in a toast for wine and cocktails, smiling and enjoying each other's company.

Details

• Duration: 2 hours

• Location: Greenhouse room of a restaurant in Florence

• Includes: All art materials, light aperitivo

• Level: Beginner-friendly

• Language: English, Italian

• Group size: Minimum 4 guests, maximum 12

This experience is ideal for travelers, friends, families, birthdays, bachelorette parties, corporate events, and small private groups who want to slow down and create something meaningful during their time in Italy.

*Please note: the watercolor aperitivo is designed for small groups, so we’ll need at least 4 participants to hold the session.

Reserve your Private Art Experience in Florence with Sheean

Both experiences are offered in limited dates and are customized to each group.

For availability and reservations, please write to

hello@studiosheean.com or contact me here.