When Travel Inspires Art: The Florence Cathedral Print

There are certain places in the world that stay with you long after you've returned home. For me, Florence was one of them. The golden afternoon light, the quiet buzz of the piazzas, and the intricate beauty of every building made it feel like stepping into a painting. It's this sense of wonder I hoped to capture in my Florence Cathedral print, a piece born from a real travel moment, now reimagined in illustrated form.

I still remember the exact afternoon: I was walking around the outskirts of the Duomo, with a coffee in hand. The sky was perfectly blue, and the soft shadows danced across the white and green marble facade. People moved around me, some taking photos, some pausing to reflect, but I felt wonderfully still. It was one of those rare, grounding moments where everything feels exactly right. 

From Travel Memory to Illustrated Print

The Florence Cathedral print started as a quick pencil sketch, drawn while I soaked in the details of the architecture. I was especially drawn to the grand dome and the delicate patterns carved into the cathedral’s surface. These early impressions laid the foundation for the finished piece, which I later developed in my home studio back in the UK.

Once home, I worked from a mix of reference photos and my travel sketch, trying to preserve the feeling of awe I’d felt in that moment. The challenge with a landmark like Santa Maria del Fiore is balancing its grandeur with a touch of softness, something that feels both architectural and poetic. That’s where the magic of illustration comes in.

Florence is a city where creativity feels woven into every corner. Artists, writers, and dreamers have long found inspiration within its walls. In some small way, this print is my contribution to that lineage, an illustrated moment carved out of time and memory.

A Love Letter to Italy

Italy has always inspired me creatively. There’s something so rich in its culture, its colours, its textures, from the weathered shutters on old buildings to the ornate tiles underfoot. Florence, in particular, felt like a creative reset. The city pulses with history and beauty, and every corner felt like a story waiting to be told.

I wanted this print to capture that, not just the building itself, but the atmosphere around it. The print features warm, sun-washed tones and gentle lines, echoing the late-afternoon glow of the city. It’s a quiet celebration of one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks, told through the eyes of a curious traveller.

During the creative process, I found myself revisiting my travel journals, reading over scribbled thoughts, looking at collected postcards, and reflecting on how that trip changed my perspective. The more I reflected, the more I realised this piece wasn’t just about the cathedral; it was about the feeling of discovery. That moment of pause, where beauty surprises you and stays.

The Artistic Process

Like many of my prints, this piece combines hand-drawn linework with digital colouring. I began with a fine-line ink drawing to preserve the details of the cathedral, followed by soft, muted shades added digitally to enhance the mood and depth.

Each stage of the process is a story in itself, from choosing the initial colour palette (inspired by terracotta rooftops and the dusty greens of olive trees) to adding texture and highlights. I wanted the final result to feel warm, personal, and full of character, much like the streets of Florence themselves.

I also made subtle design choices that reflect my personal experience of the city. The tilt of the perspective mirrors where I sat on the cathedral steps, and the colours were pulled from the photographs I took in golden hour. These are the kinds of small details that might not be immediately obvious but bring authenticity and soul to the piece.

A Print for the Dreamers & Romantics

This artwork is more than just a city scene. It’s a moment in time, a memory etched in ink and colour. Whether you’ve walked those cobbled streets yourself or simply dream of doing so one day, the Florence Cathedral print brings a little piece of Italy’s magic into your space.

It’s perfect for travel lovers, romantics, and those who collect moments more than things. It also makes a thoughtful gift, a reminder of a honeymoon, an unforgettable holiday, or a shared dream.

I’ve always believed that art has a way of connecting people. When someone chooses one of my prints for their home, they’re not just buying art, they’re inviting in a story. And that, to me, is the greatest compliment.

Where Art Meets Memory

At Frame Your World Co, every print has a story. It’s part of what makes illustration so special, the way it invites us to see the world through someone else’s eyes, to pause and remember, to find meaning in the little things. The Florence Cathedral Print is one of those pieces.

If you’re looking to add warmth, wanderlust, and a gentle story to your walls, I hope this piece speaks to you as much as Florence spoke to me.

Want to See the Journey?

You can watch the full travel vlog of my time in Florence, including the exact moment I sat on the cathedral steps over on my YouTube channel, LeanneFoleyM. It’s a cosy, real-life travel diary that weaves beautifully into the art you see here.

Bring a Piece of Italy Home

The Florence Cathedral Print is available as an A4 and A5 print, lovingly printed in the UK on premium textured paper. Each one is signed and packed with care, ready to bring a little illustrated magic into your home.

Explore the full travel-inspired collection at Frame Your World Co, where every print is illustrated with love and rooted in real-life wonder.