Private painting class on Lake Como shores, Bellagio

Learn to paint Lake Como with your whole body, guided by a master artist in Villa Melzi's gardens

A 90-minute private painting class at Villa Melzi d'Eril in Bellagio, where you learn watercolor en plein air from a master artist and take home your finished work on antique Italian paper. The instruction centers on a special body-movement painting technique, and the setting, nineteenth-century gardens overlooking Lake Como, supplies the light, water and color that have drawn artists for centuries. No prior experience needed.

The experience

Villa Melzi d'Eril sits on Lake Como's shore in Bellagio, its gardens terraced down to the water's edge. You arrive at the enchanted grounds and meet Master Abele and an assistant who will guide you through the session. The class is private, so the pace and focus stay on what you want to explore. You'll work on antique Italian paper (sheets that date back to the 1400s) using traditional art materials and tools set up for you.

The technique you learn centers on body movement: how to use your whole body, not just your hands, to shape the watercolor on the paper. Abele teaches the method that Italian masters developed, and the setting itself becomes part of the instruction: the way light hits the water, the colors reflected in the lake, the atmosphere of the place. You don't need to have painted before. The workshop is built for anyone who wants to try, whether you're traveling alone, with a partner or with friends.

When the 90 minutes end, you leave with the painting you made, carefully packaged as a memory of the day. Bottled water is provided throughout, and if you'd like, you can order a glass of wine to mark the moment. The gardens stay open around you, and the whole experience sits inside the landscape that inspired centuries of artists working on this lake.

What’s included

• Traditional art materials and tools.
• antique Italian paper dating back to the 1400s.
• bottled water.
• a glass of wine on request.
• packaging of your finished painting.
• exclusive instruction from Master Abele and an assistant.
• access to the enchanted gardens of Villa Melzi d'Eril.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Abele Experientia Artis

Is this one for you?This is a private class, so you work one-on-one with the master artist and assistant at your own pace: ideal if you want personalized attention or prefer not to paint alongside strangers. The fixed 90-minute window fits easily into a day exploring Bellagio and the lake, and no artistic experience is required.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6).

What is Villa Melzi d'Eril and why does the class happen there?

Villa Melzi d'Eril is a nineteenth-century estate in Bellagio with historical gardens that slope down to Lake Como's shore. The gardens have inspired Italian artists for centuries because of the light, water reflections and colors visible from the grounds, making it an ideal setting for learning to paint en plein air.

Do I need to know how to paint before I book this class?

No. The workshop is designed for anyone, whether you've never painted before or you paint regularly. Master Abele and the assistant guide you through the technique and the process, and the focus is on learning and enjoying the creative moment, not on prior skill.

What happens to the painting I make during the class?

You take it home with you. The painting is carefully packaged so it travels safely, and it serves as a tangible memory of the day and the experience of painting in the gardens overlooking Lake Como.

What is the special body-movement painting technique you learn?

Master Abele teaches a technique where you use your whole body, not just your hands, to shape the watercolor on the paper. This is an ancient method developed by Italian masters, and learning it is central to the class experience.

Is the class private, or do I paint with other people?

The class is private, so it's just you (and anyone in your group) with Master Abele and an assistant. This means the instruction and pace are tailored to what you want to explore during the 90 minutes.