After their excursion exertions to Lucca or the Cinue Terre on Wednesdays, our creative course guests enjoy relaxing in the peace and quiet of a beautiful 16th Century monastery called Il Convento del Carmine, a little beyond and above the nearby town of Fivizzano, with views over the town and the surrounding hills. Gina Shearston‘s montage above gives a feeling of its ambience.
The convent (that’s what they call it, although the inmates were monks, not nuns) is of the Carmelite order and dates back to 1568. The Renaissance-style building has cloisters with sandstone columns and lunettes decorated with murals, cypress and fruit trees, meadows and streams. The convent, forcibly closed down in the 18th century, is now a setting for romantic weddings – and our Watermill guests enjoy the exclusive use of the convent and grounds on Thursdays, together with a delicious picnic lunch. (Our creative writing, knitting and Italian language guests also visit the convent on Thursdays.)
Hardly surprisingly, the peaceful setting has inspired both tutors and guests alike and I would like to share with you some of the paintings they have made there.
Come and indulge your passion for painting in the tranquil calm of the Convento del Carmine and our other stupendous locations.
Below you will find dates and links for all our 2023 painting courses. Just click on the link of the ones you like to find out more details. You will see that some of our creative weeks are already fully booked, but if you fancy a particular week or a particular tutor, don’t despair: there are often cancellations. Please get in touch via the Watermill Contact Form (by clicking here) and we will put you on a waiting list.
Ali Hargreaves
22 – 29 April 2023 – fully booked, waiting list open
Watercolours
To learn more about Ali and her course at the mill, please visit her 2023 Tutor Profile Page.
Randy Hale
13 – 20 May 2023 – onr or two places
Watercolours
To learn more about Randy and his course at the mill, please visit his 2023 Tutor Profile Page.
Pamme Turner
20 – 27 May 2023 – fully booked, waiting list open Watercolour and gouache en plein air
To learn more about Pamme and her course at the mill, please visit her 2023 Tutor Profile Page.
James Willis
3 – 10 June 2023 – one or two places left Watercolours
To learn more about James and his course at the mill, please visit his 2023 Tutor Profile Page.
Herman Pekel
10 – 17 June 2023 – fully booked, waiting list open
Watercolours
To learn more about Herman and his course at the mill, please visit his 2023 Tutor Profile Page.
Maggie Renner Hellmann
24 June – 1 July 2023 – one place left
Oil and watercolour (acrylic, pastel)
To learn more about Maggie and her course at the mill, please visit her 2023 Tutor Profile Page.
Fiona Graham-Mackay
1 – 8 July 2023 – one or two places
Painting en plein air (oil, acrylic, watercolour, pastel)
To learn more about Fiona and her course at the mill, please visit her 2023 Tutor Profile Page.
Belinda Biggs
8 – 15 July 2023 – still a few places
Watercolours
To learn more about Belinda and her course at the mill, please visit her 2023 Tutor Profile Page.
Mary Padgett
26 August – 2 September 2023 – one or two places
Pastels (and other portable media) en plein air
To learn more about Mary and her course at the mill, please visit her 2023 Tutor Profile Page.
Mike Willdridge
9 – 16 September 2023 – fully booked, waiting list open
Watercolours and drawing (also gouache and acrylics)
To learn more about Mike and his course at the mill, please visit his 2023 Tutor Profile Page.
Brienne M Brown
16 – 23 September 2023 – fully booked, waiting list open
Watercolours
To learn more about Brienne and her course at the mill, please visit her 2023 Tutor Profile Page.
Charles Sluga
23 – 30 September 2023 – fully booked, waiting list open
Watercolours (acrylics and oils)
To learn more about Charles and his course at the mill, please visit his 2023 Tutor Profile Page.
Tim Wilmot
30 September – 7 October 2023 – fully booked, waiting list open
Watercolours
To learn more about Tim and his course at the mill, please visit his 2023 Tutor Profile Page.
Grahame Booth
7 – 14 October 2023 – fully booked, waiting list open Watercolours
To learn more about Grahame and his course at the mill, please visit his 2023 Tutor Profile Page.
As I said before, you will see that some of our creative weeks are already fully booked, but if you fancy a particular week or a particular tutor, don’t despair: there are often cancellations. Please get in touch via the Watermill Contact Form (by clicking here) and we will put you on a waiting list.
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