Dozens of people have already signed up to paint this alluring Italian hilltop village alongside Mike Willdridge, in the first of the Watermill’s new season of interactive online painting sessions. We would love you to join them and become part of our ‘virtual’ community of like-minded people from all over the world enjoying an inspiring and relaxing time painting in each other’s company.
The subject is the village of Vezzano, clinging to its hillside in Liguria, northern Italy.
Mike says: “The artist’s challenge is to simplify the view, especially the trees, and to emphasise the effect of light on the landscape; treatment of the sky is an important aspect of this. This is also an interesting exercise in perspective.”
Here’s Mike’s practice painting:
Unlike many online painting tutors, Mike will not expect you to ‘look over his shoulder’ for a long demonstration, and perhaps be allowed to ask the odd question or two. No, you will be painting along at more or less the same time, trying out, step-by-step what they have shown you. Your tutor will demonstrate a tip or technique for only a few minutes before you start painting the same subject at home. Then, after you have had your turn, they will move on to the next part of the process. Lois Breckon will be on hand to feed your questions. The session will last two or three hours.
16 November 2023 Mike Willdridge
A hilltop village in Liguria, Italy.
Simplify the view, emphasise the light.
To register, please click here.
Start time:
6 pm Florence, Italy
5 pm London, UK (Greenwich Mean Time)
Noon from Maine to Florida, USA (East Coast Time)
10 am in Denver, USA (Mountain Time)
9 am from Los Angeles to Seattle, USA (Pacific Coast Time)
Once you have registered you will be provided with two links. The first is the Zoom link for you to join the session. Please double check the start time in your own time zone. If the timing doesn’t work for you, you can still sign up and we will send you a video of the session within 48 hours.
The second link is where you can download a source photograph of the scene that Mike has chosen for you, his practice painting to show you where you are heading, a simple line drawing, and a list of materials (including paper, paint and brushes) that he suggests you may need for the session. Mike would like you to make your own line drawing before the session starts
After the event, you are invited to add your painting to the gallery and to view paintings by fellow students. Mike will give a short critique of every painting that is posted within seven days of the end of the session. We will also send you a link to a video within 48 hours of the end of the session, that will enable to you revisit Mike’s step-by-step teaching.
When you have painted with Mike online, why not join him for real at the Watermill in Tuscany Italy next summer? It’s a fantastic experience. Here’s what one guest on Mike’s course this year had to say: “Wow! What an amazing week at the Watermill. Absolutely stunning, from the beautiful buildings to the picturesque surroundings. Add delicious food and wine, great excursions with wonderful painting opportunities, a delightful tutor – Mike Willdridge, a wonderful group of people who were great fun and very supportive. What more could you want from a painting holiday! Bill and Lois (our hosts) have created something very special at The Watermill. Thank you!”
Mike Willdridge
7 – 14 September 2024
Watercolour and drawing (also gouache and acrylics)
To learn more about Mike and his course at the mill, please visit his 2024 Tutor Profile Page.