Your Lisbon souvenir should be personal. This Formettes azulejo workshop helps you design a repeating tile pattern without any drawing prerequisites, and you leave with a finished take-home tile right after class. It’s hands-on, calm, and surprisingly doable even if you think you are not an art person.

The main thing to consider: you’re getting one 10cm x 10cm tile included, and extra tiles (if you want more) cost extra. Also, it’s not suitable for children under 10, so plan for adults or older kids.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Formettes method with no drawing prerequisites: pencil-to-pattern guidance built for beginners
• A clear 3-step making process: pencil sketch, black marker, then watercolor
• Your design gets finished for you: Photoshop tweaks, then duplication and transfer to ceramic
• Thermal press, same-day pickup: you take your tile home immediately
• Small, cozy sessions: private or small-group format in a lived-in artist setting
• $64 value that includes the basics: instructor time, materials, tea/coffee, cookies, and the 10cm tile

Formettes and azulejos: what you’re really learning in Lisbon

Azulejos are the famous Portuguese ceramic tiles you see everywhere in Lisbon—on building facades, inside churches, and in quiet corners of neighborhoods. This workshop focuses on the design logic behind them, not on copying a random tile from a shop.

What makes it click is the Formettes method. Instead of starting with blank-page intimidation, you use a tool designed to help you create a pattern that feels like it belongs in a traditional azulejo layout. The best part for non-artists is that the method is built to work even if your drawing skills are… let’s call them “in progress.”

The workshop also shows you how the final look happens. You’re not just painting a single image on a tile and hoping for the best. Your work goes through a finishing step that turns your drawing into a design meant to be transferred onto ceramic and duplicated cleanly.

And yes, you get the tile right away after the process—so this isn’t a class where you make something and wait days for a shipment. You walk out holding your own 10cm square.

The 2.5-hour flow: pencil, marker, watercolor, then the tile transfer

The class moves in a neat, predictable sequence. If you like knowing what’s coming next, you’ll appreciate the structure.

Step one: pencil planning.

You create your azulejo design with pencil. This is your time to think through the shapes and the pattern you want, without permanent marks yet.

Step two: black marker outlines.

Then the pencil work gets covered with a fine black marker. This is where the design turns into the high-contrast look that makes azulejo patterns feel crisp.

Step three: erase the pencil, then color with watercolor.

After the marker step, the pencil marks are erased, leaving the black lines behind. Finally, you add color using watercolor. This combo—clean dark outlines plus soft watercolor color—is part of the charm of the style.

Once your drawing and coloring are done, the workshop doesn’t just leave it there. The post-workshop steps are the “magic” part that turns your original drawing into a tile-ready pattern:

• Your design is worked on on the computer, using Photoshop. It may be slightly corrected if needed and then multiplied so it reads properly as a pattern.
• A thermal press transfers the design onto the ceramic tile (10cm x 10cm).

The key practical detail: this all happens within the workshop window, and you leave with your finished tile immediately after the session. That same-day handoff is a big part of the value.

Agathe’s studio setup: relaxed, friendly, and not overly formal

This workshop is hosted in the artist’s own space rather than a big classroom. That matters more than you might expect. A smaller, home-studio setting tends to feel warmer, quieter, and less “performative.”

Agathe is a French painter and the instructor you’ll be working with. From the way the class is described, the vibe is patient and encouraging, with lots of help if you get stuck. She’s also described as humorous in the way she guides the room—which sounds like a small detail, but it changes the whole feel when you’re learning a process you’ve never done before.

Because the workshop offers private or small groups, you’re more likely to get individualized attention than in a large, scheduled flow where you wait your turn. It also means the pace can feel comfortable. You’re not rushed to the finish line.

Language-wise, you’re covered. The instructor can work in French, English, and Portuguese, which is helpful if you’re traveling from another country and want to understand the steps clearly.

Price and value: what you get for $64 (and what you don’t)

At $64 per person for a 2.5-hour workshop, it can feel high at first glance—until you look at what’s included.

Here’s what you do get:

• Instructor guidance
• Drawing and painting materials
• A drink (tea or coffee)
• Cookies
• One ceramic tile 10cm x 10cm

And the “included” list isn’t just paper. The workshop includes the real finishing steps: Photoshop adjustment, duplication, and the thermal press transfer. That’s the part you’d struggle to reproduce on your own at home.

What you don’t get:

• Extra personalized objects
• Extra tiles

If you want more than one tile, you’ll pay extra. One person mentioned adding a second tile for an extra 10€, which gives you a clue about how that works in practice.

There’s also an easy-to-miss value angle: this is a souvenir you made with guidance. Lisbon is full of tile-themed products, but this is your own design on a ceramic piece you can actually use as decoration or gift. If you’re the type who likes souvenirs that don’t turn into clutter, this has a strong chance of being a keeper.

It also holds a high overall rating (4.9 with 420 bookings), which usually lines up with consistent instruction and a low-stress process.

Meeting point at Bell n°2: plan for easy arrival

Your meeting point is Bell n°2. That’s the one logistical anchor you should lock in before the class.

Because the session is 2.5 hours, I recommend showing up with enough time to settle in, not sprint in ten minutes late. A home-studio workshop tends to work best when the room can start together—especially once you begin pencil work.

If you want a smooth experience, keep your plans light for the rest of the day. You’ll be carrying a new ceramic tile when you leave, and you’ll likely want to plan where it goes on the walk back to your hotel.

Designing without pressure: making a pattern even if you think you can’t draw

This is the part I’d focus on if you’re on the fence.

The workshop is built so you don’t need drawing prerequisites. That’s not just a slogan. The Formettes method is the structure that helps you create something azulejo-like without starting from scratch.

Here’s how to think about success in this class:

• You’re not aiming to produce a museum-level artwork.
• You’re aiming to make a pattern that transfers cleanly to ceramic.
• The instructor helps guide your design choices and final outcome.

A practical tip from how the process works: the black marker step is crucial. That’s what forms the visible structure once pencil gets erased and watercolor goes on top. So if you’re unsure, lean into bold outlines and simpler shapes. Watercolor can handle gentler color choices without needing complex technique.

You also get freedom. Some people lean more traditional with azulejo-style pattern energy. Others go personal—using symbols, shapes, or combinations that feel like them. Because the finishing step includes Photoshop correction and multiplication, the final pattern can look more polished than what you might expect from a first attempt.

Who should book this class (and who might not love it)

This fits best if you want a hands-on cultural activity in Lisbon and you like taking something home that you actually made.

It’s a great match for:

• Couples who want a shared creative project
• Solo travelers who want a friendly small-group setting
• Anyone who wants a beginner-friendly workshop with clear steps
• People who love Portuguese tile design but don’t want to just look at it

You might consider skipping if:

• You have very limited time and need a faster, sightseeing-only activity
• You expect a course where you’ll make lots of tiles (the included tile is one 10cm x 10cm piece)
• You’re traveling with children under 10, since it’s not suitable for them

Should you book Azulejos’ design Create Your Own Tile?

If you want a Lisbon souvenir with actual craft behind it, book this. The mix of structured Formettes design, simple beginner-friendly steps (pencil, marker, watercolor), and same-day tile pickup makes it feel efficient without feeling rushed.

I’d especially recommend it for rainy-day flexibility and for travelers who’d rather do one meaningful creative thing than stack five quick stops that blur together.

If the idea of transferring your design and waiting for the workshop’s finishing steps stresses you out, keep in mind the workshop is designed so you leave with the final ceramic piece right after class. You’re not left hanging.

And if you’re worried about your artistic level: that’s exactly what this workshop is set up to handle.

FAQ

How much does the Lisbon Azulejos design workshop cost?

It costs $64 per person.

How long is the workshop?

The workshop lasts 2.5 hours.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes the instructor, drawing and painting materials, a drink (tea, coffee), cookies, and one ceramic tile (10cm x 10cm).

Do I need prior drawing skills?

No. The workshop uses the Formettes method, which has no drawing prerequisites.

What is the process like from start to finish?

You start with pencil drawings, then cover them with a fine black marker, erase the pencil, and finally add color with watercolor. After that, your design is adjusted and multiplied on a computer, and then transferred to ceramic with a thermal press.

When do I take my tile home?

You take your tile immediately after the workshop.

What languages are offered?

The instructor can work in French, English, and Portuguese.

Where do I meet for the workshop?

The meeting point is Bell n°2.

Is it suitable for children?

It is not suitable for children under 10 years.

Can I pay later or cancel?

You can reserve now and pay later, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.