Ugly Sketch Walk: La Dolce Vita

Welcome to Ugly Sketch Walk — a monthly creative walk around Rome where we use sketching as a way to slow down, notice more, and experience the city differently.
This isn't about making beautiful drawings. It's about paying attention. Looking a little longer. Trying something new. And spending a couple of hours with curious people in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
No drawing experience is needed. No pressure. No expectations. Just bring your sketchbook and your curiosity.

Why "Ugly"?
I called it Ugly Sketch Walk because I spent years believing I needed to draw well before I could enjoy drawing. Nothing changed until I gave myself permission to make terrible sketches. Ironically, that's when drawing became fun again.
So that's our only goal: to make wonderfully imperfect sketches.
Nobody's judging. Nobody's grading. Nobody's even looking. (Unless you want to share!)
Just a simple excuse to slow down, play a little, and experience Rome in a more creative way.

This Month's Theme: La Dolce Vita
Federico Fellini's iconic film La Dolce Vita captured Rome at the end of the 1950s, during Italy's economic boom, when Via Veneto was alive with Hollywood stars, paparazzi, celebrities and glamorous nightlife. The film transformed la dolce vita into one of Italy's most enduring cultural myths, turning the country itself into a symbol of elegance, beauty and the art of enjoying life.
Today, we'll walk through the streets where that myth was born.
But we're not here to recreate Fellini's Rome.

Instead, we'll go looking for our own dolce vita—the sweetness hidden in everyday Roman moments. A quick espresso at the bar. Sunlight warming an old façade. A stranger passing by on a Vespa. The sound of a fountain. A conversation drifting from a café terrace.
We'll wander, sketch and collect those moments that can't be planned.
And by the end of the walk, perhaps each of us will have our own answer to one simple question:

What does la dolce vita mean today?

Our Route
We'll begin around Via Veneto, one of Rome's most glamorous streets and the symbolic heart of La Dolce Vita.
From there we'll wander towards Piazza Barberini, taking our time to notice the little details that usually disappear when we're rushing from one landmark to the next.
We'll finish at Fontana di Trevi, not to recreate the famous photographs, but to experience one of Rome's most iconic places through a slower, more personal lens.
At each stop I'll share a short story to set the mood before we spend time sketching, observing and simply enjoying the city together.

Creative Challenge
Every walk begins with a small creative challenge inspired by the theme of the month. I'll keep this one a surprise until we meet.

What this is (and isn't)
This isn't an art class, and it isn't a traditional guided tour. I'm not here to teach perspective, anatomy or perfect technique.
Think of me as a creative companion who brings together an interesting corner of Rome, a monthly theme, a few stories to spark curiosity, and time to explore with a sketchbook in your hands.
I'll happily offer ideas if you're feeling stuck, but there's no right way to draw here. The sketchbook is simply a tool to help us notice things we would normally walk past.

Who is this for?
This walk is for you if...

• you've always wanted to sketch but never knew where to begin;
• you think you "can't draw";
• your sketchbooks are mostly empty because you're afraid to ruin the first page;
• you love wandering through cities without rushing;
• you're curious about Rome beyond ticking landmarks off a list;
• you'd like to spend an afternoon with creative, open-minded people.

If you already draw every day, you're just as welcome.

What to bring
Bring whatever you enjoy drawing with.
A small sketchbook that's comfortable to hold while standing works best, along with simple materials for quick sketches — pencils, pens, markers, fineliners, coloured pencils or pastels.
This month I'll also invite you to experiment with drawing small fragments instead of complete scenes—but it's only an invitation, never a requirement.

After the walk
Every Ugly Sketch Walk ends the same way: with the option to continue the evening over an aperitivo. Each month I'll choose a different local place nearby — somewhere I'd happily bring friends. Stay for one drink, stay for dinner, or head home with your sketchbook. Entirely up to you.

Practical information
Meeting point: Piazza Barberini, next to the Triton Fountain.
Duration: Around 2.5 hours
Group size: 5–10 people
Price: €15 (cash at the beginning of the walk)
Looking forward to meeting you—and your wonderfully ugly sketches!