THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend 90 minutes painting Annapolis’ historic streets with a local watercolorist—supplies provided, skills taught, and a one-of-a-kind souvenir to take home. Ideal for beginners and travelers age 12 and up, this outdoor class turns brick sidewalks and harbor light into a portable memory.
Spend 90 minutes painting Annapolis’ historic streets with a local watercolorist—supplies provided, skills taught, and a one-of-a-kind souvenir to take home. Ideal for beginners and travelers age 12 and up, this outdoor class turns brick sidewalks and harbor light into a portable memory.
A late-morning breeze off the Severn tugs at the edges of your paper as you set up outside Old Fox Books, the teacher’s hot-pink bag a bright punctuation on the brick sidewalk. Around you, colonial facades tilt toward the sky, their windows catching shards of sunlight that slide across sills and cobbles. For 90 minutes, the town slows into a study of line and color: gulls wheel above the City Dock, a bicyclist rings a bell, and a local watercolorist named Em Campbell guides a small group through washes, perspective and the quick decisions that make a scene sing.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Em Campbell Watercolor Workshops · Annapolis, Maryland
A late-morning breeze off the Severn tugs at the edges of your paper as you set up outside Old Fox Books, the teacher’s hot-pink bag a bright punctuation on the brick sidewalk. Around you, colonial facades tilt toward the sky, their windows catching shards of sunlight that slide across sills and cobbles. For 90 minutes, the town slows into a study of line and color: gulls wheel above the City Dock, a bicyclist rings a bell, and a local watercolorist named Em Campbell guides a small group through washes, perspective and the quick decisions that make a scene sing.
Annapolis is an urban sketcher’s classroom. Founded in the 17th century, the city’s grid of narrow streets, public squares and Georgian architecture grew around maritime commerce; these are buildings that weather wind and salt and know how to hold a shadow. Geologically, the low-lying peninsula is Chesapeake Bay plain—mudflats, tidal creeks and posh Annapolis lawns—so light and reflections change rapidly through the day, forcing artists to work with speed and intent.
The activity doubles as a short cultural primer. You’ll pass St. Anne’s Church and the old State House—sites steeped in early American politics—and hear a few local anecdotes as you choose a subject. Locals treat sketching as part of civic life here: you’ll often see finished pieces traded for coffee or pinned up in cafés. The method taught is practical and approachable—waterbrushes, premium paper and a few strategic pigments—so you leave with a frame-ready piece and the ability to recreate the practice on future trips.
Practicalities are straightforward. Meet at Old Fox Books where the instructor supplies everything, including folding chairs if you prefer to sit. The session mixes demonstration with hands-on coaching; expect to stand or sit in short intervals for about 90 minutes. Because the activity is outdoors, check weather and dress in layers—sun, spray and wind can all show up in one session. Bring a refillable water bottle and a small clip or weight for paper on breezy days. The instructor encourages beginners; the pace favors quick studies over polished studio pieces, so don’t worry about perfection.
Timing matters: morning and late afternoon offer softer light and less crowded sidewalks. If you’re staying in Annapolis, plan for an extra hour to walk the City Dock afterward—boats, gulls and brickwork make rich secondary subjects. In a short, concentrated window, this workshop gives you not only a souvenir you painted yourself, but also a portable way to read a place: how its light falls, how its streets hold history, and how the bay’s breeze dares you to work faster.
easy.
1.5 hours (90 minutes).
Light—able to stand or sit for short periods and walk short distances on flat, cobbled streets.
Yes—your instructor provides waterbrushes, premium watercolor paper, paints and folding camp chairs if needed.
Absolutely—this is designed for new and novice artists; the instructor offers step-by-step guidance.
Meet outside Old Fox Books in Old Town Annapolis; the instructor carries a hot-pink bag to identify the group.
Participants must be 12 years or older.
The activity is canceled for inclement weather—check your confirmation and the 24-hour cancellation policy for refunds.
Yes—meeting point and much of Old Town are wheelchair accessible; contact the operator for specific accommodations.
Annapolis served as a colonial capital and early U.S. capital; many facades date to the 18th century and reflect maritime prosperity.
The Chesapeake Bay’s health matters here—treat shorelines respectfully, pack out waste and use environmentally friendly art supplies when possible.
Em Campbell Watercolor Workshops operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A late-morning breeze off the Severn tugs at the edges of your paper as you set up outside Old Fox Books, the teacher’s hot-pink bag a bright punctuation on the brick sidewalk. Around you, colonial facades tilt toward the sky, their windows catching shards of sunlight that slide across sills and cobbles. For 90 minutes, the town slows into a study of line and color: gulls wheel above the City Dock, a bicyclist rings a bell, and a local watercolorist named Em Campbell guides a small group through washes, perspective and the quick decisions that make a scene sing.
A late-morning breeze off the Severn tugs at the edges of your paper as you set up outside Old Fox Books, the teacher’s hot-pink bag a bright punctuation on the brick sidewalk. Around you, colonial facades tilt toward the sky, their windows catching shards of sunlight that slide across sills and cobbles. For 90 minutes, the town slows into a study of line and color: gulls wheel above the City Dock, a bicyclist rings a bell, and a local watercolorist named Em Campbell guides a small group through washes, perspective and the quick decisions that make a scene sing.
Annapolis is an urban sketcher’s classroom. Founded in the 17th century, the city’s grid of narrow streets, public squares and Georgian architecture grew around maritime commerce; these are buildings that weather wind and salt and know how to hold a shadow. Geologically, the low-lying peninsula is Chesapeake Bay plain—mudflats, tidal creeks and posh Annapolis lawns—so light and reflections change rapidly through the day, forcing artists to work with speed and intent.
The activity doubles as a short cultural primer. You’ll pass St. Anne’s Church and the old State House—sites steeped in early American politics—and hear a few local anecdotes as you choose a subject. Locals treat sketching as part of civic life here: you’ll often see finished pieces traded for coffee or pinned up in cafés. The method taught is practical and approachable—waterbrushes, premium paper and a few strategic pigments—so you leave with a frame-ready piece and the ability to recreate the practice on future trips.
Practicalities are straightforward. Meet at Old Fox Books where the instructor supplies everything, including folding chairs if you prefer to sit. The session mixes demonstration with hands-on coaching; expect to stand or sit in short intervals for about 90 minutes. Because the activity is outdoors, check weather and dress in layers—sun, spray and wind can all show up in one session. Bring a refillable water bottle and a small clip or weight for paper on breezy days. The instructor encourages beginners; the pace favors quick studies over polished studio pieces, so don’t worry about perfection.
Timing matters: morning and late afternoon offer softer light and less crowded sidewalks. If you’re staying in Annapolis, plan for an extra hour to walk the City Dock afterward—boats, gulls and brickwork make rich secondary subjects. In a short, concentrated window, this workshop gives you not only a souvenir you painted yourself, but also a portable way to read a place: how its light falls, how its streets hold history, and how the bay’s breeze dares you to work faster.