Florence is my favourite city, so I had to include some drawings of my favourite city in my sketchbook. I’ve had some photos from past visits just waiting to be converted into sketches.

The Duomo (cathedral) of Florence always takes my breath away each time I see it. And this drawing nearly took my sanity away – yes, I went “detaily-detaily” on it. I’ve drawn it before, but never this much of it – here’s the side view.

Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence

Piazza della Signoria houses some incredible architecture and sculpture. The Medici family dominate the square, with their old digs, the Palazzo Vecchio, and a big sculpture of Cosimo I de Medici on a horse.

Cosimo I in the Piazza della Signoria

I also love the sculptures in the Loggia dei Lanzi just beside the palace, especially the physical and emotional strength of Giambologna’s 16th-century “Rape of the Sabine Women”. Standing behind the sculpture along the wall, the captured woman reaches up in the sky, as if toward the Palazzo (which is the seat of local government) begging for help. Especially dramatic at night when the sculpture and the Palazzo are all lit up.

Giambologna in the Loggia dei Lanzi

Definitely my favourite city… to visit AND to draw!