I had a one day private Fresco painting lesson in Geko Art Studio and I have to say that it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in Italy! I booked the lesson from Geko Art Studio, because I immediatly felt that their studio had a professional & passioned approach to teaching art. Not like many other places, where the lessons seem very touristy and shallow. Geko Art Studio, in other hand, offers lessons to people with different study backgrounds, from beginners to professionals. The fresco painting class was taught by a lovely and very professional teacher Claudia (who btw had studied f.e in Italy’s most distinguished art restoration instititute - Opificio delle Pietre Dure). The lesson started with learning about the history of fresco painting: Claudia had made herself few very comprehensive slideshows that she showed on her computer as she talked about the history and chemistry of frescoes. This was all very educational and intresting ! Claudia even offered to send me the slideshow files and answers to few questions that I had asked her about different materials. After the small introduction, we starterd making the limestone & sand layers for the fresco. As an artist myself, Geko Art Studios studio space felt just like an art studio should feel like - bohemian and inspirational. Mixing the sand and limestone made me feel like a was a student of rennaisance master ! We started the painting by analysing an old fresco painting and then mixing the colors according to the picture. This step, AGAIN, was very educational and I learned so much new about transferring the scetch, the colors and how the fresco’s surface changes as it dries. I would definetly recommend Geko Art Studio Florence di Octavio Palomino to everyone who’s intrested in art history and/or painting! It’s a perfect place to learn in a safe environment with no pressure at all. Everything else was also perfect: the location is great and the prices are very affordable (especially when you think about the quality of teaching)! 10/10! Thank you so much Geko Art and Claudia ! I’ll be back :) -Kristo Saarikoski

I had a great day today learning to draw at the Geko studio, we had a private lesson which allowed the instructor to really help me. Very patient and helpful I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys art or just trying something new.

Very friendly and special time together where we able to be working on the same task together (mother, father and daughter). We had even tasty home-made food and cake and were able to bring home a souvenir reminding us of the great master Michelangelo. Thank you!

Great experience ,learned alot ,great teacher ,great company and great food!👍 I really enjoyed the process and plan to use them in my day to day.

Wow! What an incredible experience! It was difficult at first but Octavio was such a great teacher and guided me each step of the way. I’ve always admired sculpting and have been awestruck by the statue of David, but it was only after doing this class that I gained a whole new understanding and appreciation of the work, artistry and patience it takes to produce such masterpieces. Will definitely be back to take another class!

This is such a unique experience. A private art workshop in a working art studio. I am a complete novice, and the artist was kind and generous with his advice and support. And I have a true talking point souvenir to take home. Thank you for taking me into your home and your studio for the morning

Absolutely fantastic experience. We had so much fun and he is such a good teacher. It’s such a well Run studio. We had a blast.

Everything was great! From the beginning till the end… we had so much fun learning about sculpting with Octavio! It was special to enter an intimate studio in Florence and work our hands like the greats did, it brought so much perspective! I would 100% recommend. Very special place with a very special family!

This person is not just a professor; Octavio is a mentor who has the ability to bring a great deal of interest and happiness into his work.

My 19-year-old son is an art student in NYC and really wanted to take a couple lessons locally while visiting Florence. We were lucky enough to find Octavio and Geko Studio to make this happen. He spent two 3-hour sessions with Octavio and another instructor (Diana) learning and drawing under their guidance. He loved the hours spent there and learning new ways of thinking about traditional anatomy-focused drawing. The studio is about a half-hour walk on the other side of the river in a quieter neighborhood which we all appreciated. He’s hoping to one day return to take a formal structured course. This experience was absolutely the highlight of his trip and made Florence a very special place for us all.

I had a very good time at the Geko Art Studio. They were very accommodating, friendly and informative. It was the best interactive activity I did in Florence!

Octavio is a perfect teacher He is patient, explains well, leads your eye to important lines Everybody who visits Florence should go to those lessons with Octavio. I can only recommend them. During a little rest Octavio and his wife offered refreshments and biscuits. They both gave me a very warm welcome in the Gelo Art Studio. Just go and have this wonderful experience too!

Wonderful! One-on-one art lesson with a professional. I love sketching anyway, so this was a fun add-on. The studio is lovely, and the area we used was perfect. She taught a specific method of sketching and transferring which was used in creating the frescoes of the renaissance. Awesome - and the results were amazing. I will repeat the method at home. The session lasted 3 hours - and time evaporated. We also enjoyed a delicious snack prepared by the owner. I brought my drawing home and will frame and hang when I get time. Great experience with attentive, knowledgeable, interesting people. Highly recommend.

Great workshop! Octavio is a patient teacher, having taught us the basic skills of clay modelling. I found it fascinating to learn the structured and well explained approach leading to wonderfull result in three hours. Highly recommended!

My first time to join a sculpture class. Instructor very professional and patient. Had a great time.