We have never before had two Watermill painting tutors here at the same time, but due to the contingencies of Covid, Randy Hale stayed on for a few days after his course at the end of last month, while Mike Willdridge arrived a few days early for his course at the beginning of September.
It is always fascinating to see how different painters treat the same subject, so Lois persuaded them one afternoon to paint a nearby scene: an imposing gateway and a cypress-bordered driveway, with the Appennine mountains in the background. The results are shown above.
Mike says: “I love the way the portals frame the view between them. We asked our respective wives to walk through the gateway to give us some sense of scale.” Randy says: “We love the verticality and the drama, with the tall trees and the mountains in the background.”
Of course, artists painting together plein air is not unheard of: Monet and Renoir, for example, and Van Gogh and Gaugin. To that list we might now add Hale and Willdridge!
Lois has made a fascinating video of Randy and Mike at work, which you can see if you are a Watermill patron. As you probably know we have created a community of convivial like-minded people who have become Watermill patrons. There are lots of bonuses when you join.
Patrons receive regular exclusive videos keeping them up to date on all our activities and on top tips from our renowned creative tutors, podcasts giving insights into Italian life, and, of course, delicious recipes from the Watermill kitchen. We have already produced 20 or so items for our Watermill patrons. These items remain exclusive to patrons for two months before being put on ‘general release’ so others can enjoy them too.
(Patrons themselves also enjoy other continuing exclusive perks, such as free access to some of our live, interactive online painting sessions and discounts for our renowned residential creative courses here at the mill. They have their say, too, on future exciting projects at the Watermill.)
We have just released another few ‘patrons’ perks’, which we will be sharing with you in the coming days.
Why don’t you, too, become a Watermill patron and be among the first to hear all our news and enjoy our videos, podcasts, recipes and all the news the daily life of the Watermill? The first step is to click here to see an introductory video and here more. Then join up to become part of our new Watermill adventures.
Even better, why not join us on the adventure of a Watermill creative holiday. It’s a great way to celebrate your freedom from the restrictions of the last months. We still have places left on our remaining painting courses in September and October this year and also on our unique Italian language course.
Reserve yourself a space now. You know you deserve it!
Below is the up-to-date list of our internationally renowned creative courses. And remember, you will be Cool and Green at the Watermill: all our rooms are fully air-conditioned part by our hidden photovoltaic cells which make us self-sufficient in electricity.
Brienne M Brown
18 – 25 September 2021
Watercolours
To learn more about Brienne and her course at the mill, please visit her 2021 Profile Page.
Tim Wilmot
2 – 9 October 2021
Watercolours
To learn more about Tim and his course at the mill, please visit his 2021 Profile Page.
Ali Hargreaves
9 – 16 October 2021
Watercolours
To learn more about Ali and her course at the mill, please visit her 2021 Profile Page.
Francesca La Sala
16-23 October 2021
A novel approach to learning Italian
To learn more about Francesca and her course at the Watermill, please click here.
Grahame Booth
23 – 30 October 2021
Watercolours
To learn more about Grahame and his course at the mill, please visit his 2021 Profile Page.