Create your original Art print

Venice, but with ink on your hands. This 3-hour private drypoint workshop at Plum Plum Creations di Arianna Sautariello turns your ideas into a real engraving. You get close attention in a class for drypoint beginners and experts alike, typically just 1 person or at most 2.

I love how hands-on it is, not just a demo. The instructor walks you through the whole workflow, from the early study and drawing prep to processing the plate and making the final prints, so you are not guessing what comes next. And at the end, you get to take home an original art print you made from your own concept or drawing.

One thing to watch: you may deal with inks, so dress in comfortable, not-expensive clothes. Also, Venice can be rough on plans, since the course can be canceled or moved for high water, and bad weather can affect the schedule.

Quick Hits Before You Book

• Private class for 1 to 2 people with a focus on your subject and your questions
• You create a true take-home print, not a souvenir copy
• Drypoint engraving on Plexiglas or zinc as part of the course
• Step-by-step guidance from initial study to final prints
• Plan around Venetian weather, especially high water and rain

A 3-Hour Venice Drypoint Session at Plum Plum Creations

This is a focused Venice workshop built around one goal: you leave with a print you actually made. The setting is Plum Plum Creations di Arianna Sautariello on Fondamenta dei Ormesini (30121 Venezia VE). You start at 10:00 am, and the experience runs about 3 hours, so it fits nicely into a morning itinerary without eating your whole day.

What makes this feel like a real craft lesson is the small scale. The course is designed for individual sessions, one or at most two people, which matters in a hands-on art setting. With a larger group, engraving and printing details can blur. Here, you can ask follow-ups and get corrections while your materials are still ready.

There is also a practical advantage: this is a mobile ticket format, and the meeting point is near public transportation. That is useful in Venice, where walking plans can change fast depending on where your day is headed.

Picking Your Subject: From Idea to Drawing Plan

The core of the workshop is choosing and developing a subject you care about. You can base your print on your original idea or a drawing. If you are the kind of person who likes working from something concrete, bring a clear visual reference of Venice, since the idea is to turn what you see into what you can engrave.

The instructor follows you through the subject choice and the preparation of your drawing. In plain terms, this is where the workshop earns its value. Engraving looks simple from far away, but translating an image into lines and marks you can cut is the tricky part. Getting help at this stage means you are more likely to end up with a print that reads well, not just a plate full of random scratches.

Even if you are a beginner, you will not be left to figure out composition on your own. You go through an initial study first, then you proceed into the processing steps. That sequence is important, because it helps you avoid wasting your limited time on the wrong version of the image.

Drypoint Engraving: Working on Plexiglas or Zinc

This course includes drypoint engraving on Plexiglas or drypoint on zinc. That choice of surface changes the feel of the process, and it also affects how the engraved lines hold up during printing. Since the course includes either Plexiglas or zinc as part of the program, you can expect to learn the fundamentals of transferring your drawing into a format you can ink and print from.

Drypoint is all about line. You are not painting. You are building an image through engraved marks. That is great for people who enjoy detail work and clean results. It is also a good fit if you have ever wanted to understand printmaking without signing up for a long course.

The pacing is structured. You are guided through processing of the plate, then toward the final prints. Translation: you are not just learning how to scratch, you are also learning what you need to do to get a usable print. That matters, because many first-timers can make marks but struggle to turn them into something that prints the way they imagined.

Creating the Print and Taking It Home

The payoff is not just learning technique, it is what you can hang later. The workshop’s promise is straightforward: you create a real art print and take it home.

In the workshop flow, the instructor stays with you through the steps from plate preparation to the final print. That is what you want when time is limited. If you have ever tried a craft activity where the class is mostly instructions and you do not get help when it becomes hands-on, you know how frustrating that can be. Here, the guidance is built in across the processing phases, so you have support at the moment it counts.

You also get some freedom in the subject matter. Because your print can be based on your original idea or your drawing, you are not limited to a preset design. That gives the final result more personal value. You can aim for a recognizable Venice scene or go more abstract with line and shape, as long as you can translate it into engraving-friendly drawing marks.

Bring your print out of the course with the satisfaction of a finished piece, not just practice material. And yes, you will probably want to take a few photos of the plate and your progress, since this is one of those activities where the work you make is the main event.

Price and Value for a 1 to 2 Person Workshop

At $168.22 per person for about 3 hours, this is not the cheapest Venice activity. But it can be good value if you judge it like an art class, not like a museum ticket.

Here is why the cost can make sense:

• You get private instruction or near-private attention in a 1 to 2 person format.
• The course includes engraving with drypoint on Plexiglas or drypoint on zinc.
• You produce a take-home art print, which turns the experience into a tangible souvenir with real effort behind it.
• The instructor guides you across multiple phases, from early study and drawing prep through plate processing to final prints.

If you are comparing to guided tours that only give you a story and a photo, this is different. You are paying for craft time and for help translating your image into a print. That can be worth it when you want something you will actually display.

One more practical note: the experience is commonly booked around 48 days in advance. That is a hint to plan ahead if you want the 10:00 am start to match your itinerary.

Where the Workshop Fits in Your Venice Day

You start at 10:00 am, so plan for this to be a morning activity when Venice streets are usually easier to navigate. The meeting point is on Fondamenta dei Ormesini, near public transportation, which helps if your hotel is in a different part of the city.

Venice timing matters. You are working with a craft session that can be adjusted or canceled if conditions are unsafe. Venice’s high water conditions can trigger cancellation or movement of the course, so it helps to keep your day flexible.

Also, consider the clothing recommendation. You may get ink on your clothes. This is a small point, but it affects your comfort a lot. Wear something you can stand to toss into laundry right away, or something you are fine with having stained.

The experience also lists a moderate physical fitness level. That usually means you should be comfortable with getting to the meeting point and standing or moving around for part of the 3-hour session. Engraving is not a hike, but you will still want to be comfortable enough to sit and work steadily.

How the Family or Relatives Policy Affects Planning

One detail that can shape who books this: reservations are accepted from people belonging to the same family or relatives. That matters if you are planning with friends who are not family or relatives.

There is also a private tour format, meaning only your group participates. For a craft workshop, that is a big plus. It keeps the pace calm and lets the instructor focus tightly on your subject and your print.

If you are traveling solo, this setup can be great because you still get a focused session. If you are coming with someone, check that the group matches the family or relative requirement, since that is part of how reservations are handled.

Venice Weather: When High Water or Rain Changes Everything

Venice weather is not just about comfort. It can affect whether the course runs. The workshop can be canceled or moved due to high water. Separately, the experience is described as requiring good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

So what should you do as you plan? Pick this activity with a little cushion. If you have a jam-packed schedule, swap this into a day where you have at least one backup plan ready. And if your trip includes multiple mornings, keeping one morning more flexible gives you the best chance of a smooth start.

Who Should Book This Drypoint Print Workshop

This workshop is a strong match if you:

• Want a hands-on art experience in Venice, not just a photo stop
• Like learning a specific technique, drypoint, with real step-by-step help
• Enjoy making something you can display at home, since you take a print with you
• Prefer small-group instruction, especially in activities where questions matter

It may be less ideal if you:

• Hate the idea of getting ink on clothes
• Are traveling on a day with unpredictable weather and no flexibility

If you love crafts, printmaking, or detailed drawing, you will likely find this rewarding because it turns your pencil lines into engraved marks with a clear final product.

Should You Book This Experience?

I think you should book it if you want an authentic Venice memory you can hang on your wall, and you are excited by the idea of making a real engraving print rather than buying one. The small 1 to 2 person setup, the guided workflow from drawing prep to final prints, and the take-home result all point to a better-than-average value for an art workshop.

Book it sooner rather than later, since it is often reserved about 48 days ahead, and lock in a morning that gives you room for weather surprises. Wear old clothes, bring a clear Venice reference if that helps you plan your subject, and you will be set up for a calm, rewarding session.

FAQ

How long is the workshop?

It runs for about 3 hours.

What time does it start?

The session starts at 10:00 am.

Where does the workshop take place?

You meet at Plum Plum Creations di Arianna Sautariello, Fondamenta dei Ormesini, 2681, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy.

Is this a private class?

Yes. It is private, and only your group participates. The course is designed for one or at most two people.

What will I create during the workshop?

You will create a real art print made by you, based on your original idea or your drawing.

What engraving technique and materials are included?

The course includes engraving with the drypoint technique on Plexiglas or drypoint on zinc.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothes that are not expensive, since there is a possibility of getting dirty using inks.

What happens if there is high water in Venice?

The course will be canceled or moved in case of high water.

Is there an access fee for day visitors outside Venice?

On certain dates, people staying outside of Venice who visit for the day may need to pay a €5 access fee. Details and exemptions are listed at https://cda.ve.it.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time for a full refund. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.