Gold foil and lilies—perfect for Florence afternoons. In Andrea’s studio, you’ll build your Florentine lily step by step and leave with a finished painting. I love the hands-on gold foil gilding and the calm, patient teaching, but note the class isn’t suitable for children under 10.

This is a small group experience, limited to 4 participants, so you’re not just watching from the corner. Andrea guides you in English, Spanish, or Italian, and the studio setup includes everything you need.

You don’t need any prior art experience to join. The session starts with techniques and materials, then you get right to the canvas and make the work your own.

Key things you’ll enjoy most

• Gold foil gilding that leaves a gold background around the lily edges
• Andrea’s 25 years teaching and mentoring artists
• Carving, dusting, and pencil-dot tracing to map the lily shape
• Tempera painting so you choose the lily color
• Take-home result: you leave with your finished canvas
• Group limit of 4 for real attention and pacing

Finding Andrea’s studio on Via Enrico Petrella (and how to get in)

The meeting point is at 22 Via Enrico Petrella. When you arrive, buzz the doorbell labeled Bacalini, and Andrea will let you in. His studio is on the third floor, and there’s an elevator, which is a nice practical touch in a city full of stairs.

Why this matters: it cuts down on travel stress before a hands-on class. You can show up, settle in, and focus on making art instead of searching for the right door for 20 minutes.

What’s actually included: materials, tools, and the finished souvenir

This isn’t a sketch-and-go workshop. It’s a structured class with a clear making process, and you’re provided with the materials to follow it.

You’ll get everything you need, including:

• canvas, pencils, brushes, and glue
• paints and tempera
• props for the lily template work
• gold foil for the gilding step

And yes, you take the painting home with you. That makes the cost easier to justify: you’re paying for a guided art lesson plus supplies plus a completed souvenir you can gift or keep.

The first phase: learning the techniques before you touch the paint

The session begins with Andrea explaining:

• the origin of the painting techniques used in the lesson
• the materials you’ll use

This is a smart way to start, because it turns the class from random craft time into something you understand. You’re not only doing steps; you’re learning why the steps work.

After that, it’s straight to action. The class rhythm stays hands-on, with Andrea guiding you step by step as you build the Florentine lily.

Shaping the lily: carving the outline, dusting, and pencil dots

Your canvas work starts with a small prop to carve the shape of the lily. Then you use the dusting technique to trace that shape. Next comes the pencil stage, where you join the dots that form the image.

What you’ll probably notice fast: this part is less about artistic talent and more about careful positioning and patience. It’s also where the class helps you most, because Andrea’s guidance keeps the lily proportions looking right.

Practical tip: take your time in this mapping phase. If your outline is off early, you’ll feel it later when the gilding and color placement happen. This class is designed to help you get the placement right, but you still have to follow the process slowly.

Gold foil gilding: creating the signature Florentine look

Now for the step that makes this class feel distinctly Florentine: the gilding technique.

Here’s the flow as you’ll do it:

1. Andrea shows how to place gold foil on your painting.
2. You then remove it only within the edges of the lily design.
3. The result is a striking gold background around the lily shape.

This is fun in a very specific way. You’re watching the gold appear through the method, not just applying glittery stuff. It’s also a step where having an instructor matters, because the control is the whole point.

Why it’s worth doing: the Florentine lily is already an iconic symbol. The gold background gives it that traditional, symbolic punch that’s hard to recreate with casual souvenir paint kits.

Tempera painting: choosing your lily color and finishing details

Once the lily shape is established and the gold background is set, you paint the lily in the color of your choice using tempera painting.

This is where the artwork becomes personal. The lesson doesn’t lock you into one look, so you can choose a color that fits your taste, your home decor, or the mood you want to remember from Florence.

After the tempera step, you’re effectively done. Your painting is ready to take home: Florentine lily on a golden background, created with traditional-style techniques and your own color choice.

Small group of 4: why this class feels different from big workshops

A lot of “make art in Italy” experiences sound good, but the reality can be rushed. This one has a hard limit of 4 participants, and that changes how the time works.

With fewer people:

• Andrea can correct hand position and tracing without delay
• you’re more likely to finish each stage at the right pace
• questions don’t get lost in the shuffle

In the context of a technique-heavy class (carving, dusting, gilding), slower and more personal instruction is a real advantage. You’re not paying for a crowd experience; you’re paying for attention.

Price and value: is $141.61 per person fair?

At $141.61 per person for 3 hours, this class sits in the “you’re paying for instruction and materials” category, not the “cheap souvenir craft” category. That can be a good thing.

Here’s what you’re actually getting for the money:

• a full 3-hour interactive class with step-by-step guidance
• all materials and tools (canvas, tempera, gold foil, brushes, glue, and more)
• a finished take-home painting you create yourself

If you’ve ever tried to recreate a technique-heavy look later with supplies you bought in a shop, you know how quickly it gets frustrating. The value here is not just the object at the end. It’s the guided sequence and the instructor help that gets the gold foil and lily mapping to work.

Who should book this Florence painting experience (and who shouldn’t)

This activity is designed to be approachable. It’s suitable for everyone and you don’t need any art experience.

It’s also not for kids under 10, so plan around that if you’re traveling as a family. Beyond age, it’s best for people who want a hands-on, skill-building souvenir—not just a quick photo stop.

You’ll probably enjoy it most if you:

• like crafts that have a clear process
• enjoy traditional techniques like gold foil and tempera
• want something you can hang at home or gift with real meaning

What to expect from Andrea’s teaching style

Andrea is an expert with 25 years of experience, and the class is set up like a real lesson, not a casual demo.

The tone you can expect:

• clear step-by-step instructions
• patience as you learn techniques you might not have tried before
• encouragement to make the result yours

That combination matters, especially for the gilding step. It can look intimidating on paper, but with guidance you’re not stuck guessing what to do next.

Tips so your lily looks great (and you stay relaxed)

You can’t control everything—gold foil is gold foil—but you can control your own pace.

A few practical ways to make the most of the session:

• Keep your focus on the current step. Switching between tasks too early is how gilding gets messy.
• Be gentle during dusting and tracing. The class uses a method, and the method works best when you let it.
• Choose your lily color early in tempera painting. Once you’re into the color, you want to commit and move forward.
• If you’re traveling with other plans afterward, plan buffer time. A 3-hour class moves steadily, and you’ll likely want a little extra time to wrap up comfortably.

Should you book this Florentine lily class?

I’d book it if you want a Florence souvenir with real substance. This isn’t an abstract art class. It’s a guided, technique-focused painting of the Florentine lily, using gilding and tempera methods, and you leave with the finished work.

Skip it if you’re expecting a casual drop-in activity with no careful steps. This class asks you to follow a process closely, especially during the outline and gold foil stages. Also, if you’re traveling with children under 10, it won’t fit your group.

If you’re the type who likes learning by doing, and you want a take-home piece that looks like it belongs in Italy, this is a strong pick.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for this class?

You’ll meet at 22 Via Enrico Petrella, buzz the doorbell for Bacalini, and Andrea will open the door. The studio is on the third floor, and there’s an elevator.

How long is the painting experience?

The class lasts 3 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $141.61 per person. Starting times depend on availability.

Is it a small group, and how many people are in the class?

Yes. It’s a small group limited to 4 participants.

What languages does Andrea speak during the class?

Instruction is available in English, Spanish, and Italian.

What will I take home, and is it beginner-friendly?

You’ll take home the painting you create, depicting the Florentine lily on a gold background. It’s suitable for everyone and you don’t need any prior skill or experience.