About this tour
When Jake from our BugBitten team booked a private session at Santa Fe Art Classes, we walked in expecting a bit of dabbling and walked out with an actual painting worth hanging on the wall. Robbi Firestone runs a tight ship one block from The Plaza — you're in a proper artist's studio, not a tourist paint-and-sip setup. The method she's honed over a decade cuts through the usual beginner overwhelm, and by the end of two hours, you've genuinely learned technique alongside finishing something that doesn't look like a happy accident. It's intimate (you bring whoever you like — mates, family, wine if that's your scene), no faffing about, and refreshingly straightforward.
Highlights
- Finished, frame-worthy painting in exactly 120 minutes.
- Robbi's step-by-step method demystifies technique; progress visible within the hour.
- Studio is walkable from Plaza; intimate private setting, no group chaos.
- Works equally well for never-held-a-brush beginners and experienced painters.
- Takes last-minute bookings; good for spontaneous team outings or birthdays.
- Materials, brushes, canvas all provided; you leave with your work.
- Historic building with character — though stairs involved to reach the studio.
What to expect
You'll climb one flight of stairs into a proper artist's workspace with north light and the kind of organised creative clutter that signals someone actually works here. Robbi guides you through a structured approach — not rigid, but logical — breaking down composition, colour mixing, and brushwork in real time. You're watching a skilled painter work alongside you, not reciting generic tips. The first 45 minutes feel methodical; by the second hour, muscle memory kicks in and the painting comes together faster than you'd expect. The end result is genuinely worth framing, not a novelty keepsake.
The vibe is relaxed but purposeful. Robbi adjusts to your skill level on the fly — whether you're picking up a brush for the first time or you paint regularly, she'll give you something worth your time. Two hours moves fast; you're not sitting around waiting for paint to dry or listening to waffle. By the end, there's a real sense of having made something, which beats most tourist-art experiences.
Good to know
This genuinely works. You'll leave with a completed painting and usable techniques, not just the feeling you've had a go. Perfect for team building, milestone celebrations, or a rainy-day Santa Fe activity that actually pays off. The private setup means no schmoozing with strangers or waiting for a slow learner to catch up. Materials are included; nothing extra to buy.
The studio is up one flight of stairs with no lift, so it's not accessible for mobility issues. Two hours is tight if you're a perfectionist — you've got to work at Robbi's pace to finish. Peak times (weekends, holidays) may fill fast, though last-minute slots often open up. Winter mornings can be cold in the historic building until it warms up.
Just yourself and maybe a drink (wine welcome for private bookings). Wear clothes you don't mind if paint touches — aprons provided but not bulletproof. Parking nearby; public transport available, though the Plaza walk is easy anyway.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.