Painting in Annapolis is a fast win. This outdoor watercolor workshop, led by Em Campbell, helps you make a one-of-a-kind keepsake of the Maryland State House in about 90 minutes, with premium supplies and pre-sketched outlines so you can start painting right away. The one possible drawback is that it is outdoors and not a great fit if you cannot stand or sit for more than 20 minutes.

I also like the small-group feel. With a maximum of five travelers, you get real back-and-forth help, not a rushed demo, and you’ll have a comfortable spot to paint, either your own setup or one of Em’s camp chairs. There’s also a second stop in the Historic District, so your art time connects to where you actually are in Naptown, Annapolis.

Key highlights before you go

• Small group, max 5 people, so guidance stays personal
• Pre-sketched drawing on premium watercolor paper, so you focus on watercolor technique
• Everything provided, including real watercolors and a mess-free waterbrush
• Two iconic settings, the Maryland State House and the Annapolis Historic District
• Take-home souvenir artwork, made during the workshop

90 minutes at the Maryland State House, with paint instead of lines

If you are the type who gets to Annapolis and thinks, Cool, but what do I actually do besides walk, this is a smart answer. In about 1 hour 30 minutes, you work outdoors with a local artist at one of the town’s most recognizable landmarks, and you leave with something tangible.

The format is built to lower the stress level. You do not show up and try to figure out paper, pigments, and technique all at once. Em Campbell brings the supplies, sets you up with the right materials, and shows you what to do step by step. The result is that you can spend your energy on making a painting, not fighting your own tools.

Em Campbell’s workshop setup: materials, pacing, and no guesswork

One of the biggest value points here is that you get the full kit. You’ll use real watercolors, a mess-free waterbrush, and premium watercolor paper, so you are not stuck with basic, frustrating materials that make watercolor harder than it needs to be.

You also get a clear runway to begin. The paper includes a pre-sketched drawing of the subject, so you can skip the most intimidating step for many first-timers, drawing the outline. That changes the whole tone of the class. Instead of worrying about whether your lines are good, you focus on how watercolor behaves, like how it pools, softens, and blends.

The first ten minutes are for getting acquainted, supplies, and orientation. Then you settle into a spot and follow along. If you need help, Em is there to guide you to a result you feel good about, even if you thought you were going to be terrible with watercolor.

Stop 1, the Maryland State House: how you turn a landmark into paint

The main scene happens at the Maryland State House. This matters because it gives you a strong subject, one with real architectural shape and recognizable features. And since the workshop is designed around painting, you spend your time looking carefully, not just snapping photos and moving on.

The pre-sketched outline is what really makes this work. You can jump in quickly, layering color and adjusting details without getting stuck on drawing. That also means the class stays accessible for people who are rusty or brand new.

A practical tip: since it’s outdoor painting, light and sightlines can shift. So if you want your final painting to look more like what you saw, keep your focus on the part of the building you’re actively working on, then build outward. Small, steady attention beats frantic chasing of every detail.

Stop 2, Annapolis Historic District: why a second stop makes the experience better

After the State House session, you head into the Annapolis Historic District area for the next part of the workshop. This is not just sightseeing time tacked on. The second stop keeps you in the rhythm of observing and translating what you see into watercolor.

The payoff is that you get to connect the act of painting to the town’s atmosphere. Annapolis is a place where the details do the talking, the kind of streetscape where you notice textures, angles, and the way buildings frame the sky. Even if you are not doing a full on location survey, that context helps your painting feel like it belongs to Annapolis, not just to any random sheet of paper.

What you learn, even if you think you cannot draw

You do not need prior art experience to enjoy this. The workshop is designed so technique is the lesson, not talent. The pre-sketched guide removes the drawing hurdle, so you learn by doing, watching how Em handles watercolor moves, and copying what you see at your own pace.

What you’re really practicing includes:

• Color control, like how much water to use and how it affects the look of your wash
• Layering, so your painting gains depth instead of staying flat
• Fixing mistakes, because watercolor is forgiving in a way that pencil-only sketches are not
• Personal interpretation, since each person’s final painting ends up looking like their own hand and choices

One of the best outcomes is confidence. If you have ever been intimidated by watercolor, this workshop’s structure tends to calm that down. You’re guided through the parts that feel hard, then you get to keep going until you have a finished piece you can take home.

Outdoor comfort and weather reality, plan like a local

This is an outdoor activity. That sounds obvious, but you’ll feel it in how the class goes. You’ll be painting outdoors, likely with some time spent sitting and focusing, and you should plan for your comfort.

What I recommend you bring or wear:

• sunscreen and a hat
• a jacket you can layer, just in case the breeze changes
• an umbrella, if weather looks questionable
• gloves if it’s cool enough that your hands get stiff

Em mentions being outdoors and planning accordingly, and that is not just polite wording. Sun, wind, and light matter when you are working with paint. If you are comfortable, you’ll enjoy the class more and move at a steadier pace.

Also keep in mind the workshop depends on good weather. If it gets canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Group size, who it fits best, and who should skip it

This is built for an intimate, hands-on feel. The maximum group size is five travelers, which is a big deal for a class like this. It means Em can adjust help in real time, whether that is coaching you through a wash or troubleshooting where your colors are pooling.

It also works well as a couple activity or a small-group outing, because you are doing something together that is not just walking around. The setting invites relaxed conversation, and you can still focus on the work.

A few suitability notes that matter:

• Children 10 years and older are welcome
• Most travelers can participate
• It is not recommended if you cannot stand or sit for more than 20 minutes
• Service animals are allowed
• The workshop is in English
• It is near public transportation, so you should not feel trapped by parking

Timing and the pace: set up, paint, finish, repeat later at home

The flow is simple and it helps you avoid that awkward feeling of not knowing what comes next.

• First ten minutes: meet up, get acquainted, and gather your supplies
• Then: find a comfy spot (you can borrow a camp chair)
• Main time: follow along as Em teaches watercolor steps
• Finish: you end back where you started, at the meeting point

The duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes. For a vacation day, that’s a manageable chunk. It also leaves room to do Annapolis after the class, because you are not committing your entire day to a single activity.

Price value: why $95 feels fair here

At $95 per person, the price can look steep until you factor in what is included. You are paying for:

• a local instructor, Em Campbell
• the use of premium watercolor paper
• real watercolor paints
• a mess-free waterbrush
• a pre-sketched drawing that saves you from getting stuck
• outdoor setup support, including camp chairs to borrow

In other words, you are not just buying time, you’re buying materials and guided coaching that removes the biggest friction points. If you’ve ever bought art supplies only to realize you need instruction, this class solves that immediately.

And there is the souvenir angle, which is actually meaningful. A finished watercolor of the Maryland State House is personal and specific, not generic. It’s a memory you can frame.

Should you book this watercolor workshop?

Book it if you want an Annapolis activity that is hands-on, creative, and actually productive. This is ideal if you:

• want something different than the usual walking and photos
• are curious about watercolor but intimidated by the blank page
• like small-group classes where the teacher can help you one-on-one
• want a take-home souvenir that feels made for you

Skip it or reconsider if you know you cannot comfortably sit or stand for about 20 minutes, because the workshop is outdoors and your comfort will affect how enjoyable it feels.

FAQ

Where does the workshop start in Annapolis?

The meeting point is 35 Maryland Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the outdoor painting activity?

The duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What is included in the $95 price?

You get the supplies Em brings, including real watercolors, a mess-free waterbrush, premium watercolor paper, and a pre-sketched drawing.

Is this activity offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Is it suitable for beginners at watercolor?

Yes. The pre-sketched drawing means you can focus on learning watercolor technique instead of drawing from scratch, and Em provides guidance if you get stuck.

Are children allowed?

Yes. Children 10 years and older are welcome.

Is the workshop accessible if I cannot stand or sit for about 20 minutes?

It is not recommended for travelers who cannot stand or sit for more than 20 minutes.

What should I bring since it is outdoors?

Plan for the weather with items like sunscreen, a hat, an umbrella, a jacket, or gloves.

What happens if the weather is poor?

This activity requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.