An Artist in Italy

Traveling to Italy as an Artist (aka: Why I’ll Never Travel Without a Sketchbook Again)

This past trip to Italy was my husband Seth’s and my first time in Europe, and I don’t think either of us fully understood how much it would change us. I’m a watercolor painter, and Italy felt like one long invitation to slow down and actually make something while traveling instead of just consuming it.

We went to Rome, Florence, and Lake Como, and I brought along my mini watercolor sketchbook (link to get your own is at the bottom of this blog!), which turned out to be one of the best decisions of the entire trip.

Check out my Full VLOGs on my YouTube channel!
ROME VLOG

Rome: Chaotic, yet Magical

 Rome hits you fast. It’s loud, busy, layered, and absolutely unreal. We stayed in Nikis Trastevere, which I can’t recommend enough—great location, cozy, and right in the middle of one of the most charming neighborhoods in the city.

Trastevere felt lived-in and real. Cobblestone streets, warm-colored buildings, locals chatting outside cafés late at night. From an artist’s perspective, it was a goldmine.

I painted a lot in Rome, mostly quick sketches and watercolors rather than perfected masterpieces. I have all of the materials I used linked at the bottom of this blog! Some of my favorite painting spots:

• The Colosseum – Iconic for a reason. Painting it in person was completely different than working from photos. The scale, the shadows, the way the stone shifts color throughout the day—it forces you to simplify and loosen up.
  

• Trevi Fountain – Yes, it’s crowded. Very crowded. But doing a fast sketch here was actually kind of magical. The movement, the water, the energy—it pushed me out of perfection mode.
  

• Borghese Gallery & Gardens – A dream if you want something calmer. The gardens gave me space to sit, breathe, and focus without feeling rushed.
  

• Idolcedichecco Café – One of my favorite little moments of the whole trip. Espresso on the table, sketchbook open, watching life unfold around me. Highly recommend stopping here and letting yourself linger. I even gifted my watercolor painting to the owners! See their reaction in my YouTube Vlog!
  

Rome taught me not to overthink my art. My sketches didn’t need to be perfect—they just needed to exist.

Florence: Slower, Softer, and Deeply Inspiring

Florence felt like a creative exhale after Rome. We stayed at the Artist’s Palace, which honestly felt like it was designed for people who love art. Being surrounded by so much history made me want to approach my work more thoughtfully.

Florence has a gentler rhythm. The light feels softer, the architecture more balanced, and everything feels intentional. Walking through museums where the masters once worked was humbling in the best way.

I painted in some truly unforgettable spots here:

• Piazzale Michelangelo – The view alone is worth it. Sitting up there, overlooking the city, painting Florence spread out below felt surreal. It’s one of those places that reminds you how powerful perspective really is.
  

• Galleria dell’Accademia – Being in the presence of such iconic art completely shifted how I thought about form and structure. Even quick sketches here felt meaningful.
  

• Ponte Vecchio – Painting the bridge and the river below was such a classic Florence moment. The reflections, the warm tones, the sense of history—it all came together so naturally.
  

Florence made me want to study light, shadow, and structure more deeply. 

Artist tip: Don’t pressure yourself to sketch everything in Florence. Let some moments simply fill you up.

Lake Como: Where Watercolor Makes Total Sense

Lake Como was our final stop, and it honestly felt like stepping into a watercolor painting. We stayed at Hotel Bellagio, and the views alone slowed my brain down instantly.

This is where my sketchbook changed pace completely. I painted:

• On the streets of Bellagio, tucked between pastel buildings and stone paths
  

• The lake itself, with the mountains rising in the background
  

• Those iconic pastel buildings stacked along the shoreline, reflected softly in the water
  

Blues, greens, gentle layers, soft edges—Lake Como practically paints itself. Everything felt quieter here, more reflective. I didn’t feel rushed to fill pages. I wanted to savor each one.

What Italy Was Like as an Artist

Italy didn’t make me want to create polished, finished pieces. It made me want to observe. To sit longer. To notice color palettes, textures, and how light actually behaves on old stone and water.

Bringing a small sketchbook instead of big supplies was key. It kept things low-pressure and portable, and it allowed art to fit naturally into our days instead of becoming a task.

Traveling through all of this with Seth made it even better—having someone who didn’t rush me, who sat with me while I painted, who shared the wonder of it all. Art felt integrated into life, not separate from it.

Final Thoughts & Tips for Artist Travelers

• Bring a small sketchbook 
  

• Paint in cafés, gardens, and quiet streets
  

• Expect quick, imperfect sketches (that’s the magic)
  

• Let some places inspire you without painting them
  

• Slow down—Italy rewards slowness
  

I came home with a full sketchbook, yes—but more importantly, I came home creatively refueled. Italy didn’t just give me things to paint. It reminded me how much I love seeing the world through an artist’s eyes.

My Watercolor Travel Pack List (What I Actually Used in Italy)

If you’re an artist thinking about traveling with watercolors, this is what worked really well for me. I kept everything small, lightweight, and low-pressure, which made it easy to paint anywhere—from cafés to busy landmarks to quiet lake streets. I have the links for everything below!

Watercolor Paint

• Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolors
   These were perfect for travel. The pigment quality meant I didn’t need a ton of paint, and the colors stayed vibrant even in quick sketches.

Brush

• Silver Black Velvet Watercolor Brush
  If you know, you know. This brush does everything—fine lines, washes, details—so I only needed one. Super versatile and easy to carry.
  
  

Paper

• Arches Watercolor Paper
  I love how forgiving Arches is, especially when traveling and painting fast. It handled layering, water, and corrections beautifully.
  
  

Sketchbook

• Mini Watercolor Sketchpad (Amazon find)
  One of my favorite items. Small enough to throw in my bag, not intimidating, and perfect for quick studies. I didn’t worry about “ruining” pages, which made me paint more freely.
  
  

Other Small Essentials

• A mechanical pencil (no sharpening needed)
  

• A tiny eraser
  

• Paper towels or a small cloth
  

• A travel-friendly water container (or honestly… whatever cup was nearby ☕)
  
  

Biggest Travel Art Tip:
Don’t bring your entire studio. Bring just enough to enjoy the process. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s presence.