Our enthusiastic and inspiring Watermill painting tutor Paul Talbot-Greaves is looking forward to another week at the Watermill this summer and to another Tuesday visit to the market in the nearby walled mediaeval town of Fivizzano. So much so that he’s been anticipating his return by creating a few demonstration pictures at home in England, including this fascinating sequence, taking us Continue Reading
Still time to join Randy for this jewel of a painting holiday
Watermill watercolour tutor Randy Hale is the greatest 'salesman' for painting courses here in rural Tuscany. He says“The Watermill is an amazing painting holiday destination. It is majestic, yet intimate. A jewel of a hideaway in the foothills of the Tuscan mountains where you’ll soak the ambiance of old Italy! And don’t forget to bring your non-painting partner or friend with you so you can both Continue Reading
Painting your own vision of the natural world
As you well know, there is much more to good plein air painting that merely capturing the shapes and colours you see before you. Your painting will express your emotion, reveal your vision of the natural world. We will be talking more about this on Pamme Turner’s week-long course at the Watermill. Called ‘Plein Air Essentials’ in watercolors and gouache, Pamme’s inspiring course will run from Continue Reading
Come and paint at the ‘best locations’ next year with Mary
Our passionate pastellist painting tutor Mary Padgett has just sent a lovely series of pictures and photographs she made during her course with us at the beginning of this month. Mary writes: “It was an absolute pleasure to teach at the Watermill. You and Lois have created an ideal environment for artist guests. [My husband] Buzz and I, and all in my group, felt welcomed and well-cared for Continue Reading
It was the trip of a lifetime says Sharon
We must be doing something right! We have just had this lovely Trip Advisor review, from Sharon O’Rourke, one of our American guests on Debbie Abrahams’ knitting course last week. She writes: “After 3 years of delays due to Covid 19, I was able to reserve a week long knitting workshop hosted by Debbie Abrahams at the Watermill. This venue is so beautiful and the hosts, Lois and Bill Breckon so Continue Reading
Bright creations from Debbie’s delightful knitting week
We had a delightful time on Debbie Abrahams’ knitting course last week, with lots of fun and laughter – and creativity. Above are some of our participants gathered behind their colourful creations, principally a beaded bag project designed specifically by Debbie for the week. So much fun was had by all that five of them are already booked in for our knitting courses next year. Why not come Continue Reading
Join Pamme and try your hand at gouache (as well as watercolours en plein air)
Several of our Watermill painting tutors offer instruction and advice about painting in gouache, but I know that many of you have never experimented with this medium. If you join Pamme Turner for her course this summer you will be able to give it a go, as well as painting in watercolours. (Details and a link below.) I must confess that I’ve always been rather unsure myself just what gouache Continue Reading
Varvara is at the heart of London art scene
Congratulations to Watermill painting tutor Varvara Neiman for being selected by the Society of Graphic Fine Art to take part in an exclusive exhibition in London’s Mall Galleries. You can’t get much more prestigious than that. Two of Varvara’s works were selected, recognising her skills. The one above is called Portrait of a Man, while the other (below) is called Seated Man Back Continue Reading
And today’s surprise is… apple strudel!
Every day at the Watermill, we like to give our guests a surprise, a little something to add to the enjoyment of their day, already full of inspiring tuition, beautiful surroundings, delicious food and wine and the convivial company of like-minded people on a creative course. It might be ‘a little night music,’ a short recital provided by local young people as we sip our aperitivi on the vine Continue Reading
Spring light in the woods, a stunning oil painting by Paul Talbot-Greaves
Watermill painting tutor Paul Talbot-Greaves has been very prolific lately, inspired by the quality of the light in an English Spring. He says of this oil painting: “Another alla prima springtime study, focusing on the quality of light. The foliage is very translucent at this time of year, which allows filtered light to illuminate shadows and giving the scene a saturated look. For that reason, the Continue Reading