We are delighted to welcome the renowned UK painter Vicki Norman to the team of talented Watermill tutors who are providing our inspiring online, interactive sessions. On Vicki’s first session with us, on Tuesday 16 March 2021, you will be able to paint along with her, reproducing the lovely scene above, of the view down the Valley of the River Rosaro towards the Watermill from the walled Continue Reading
100 castles, two natural parks, warm hospitality – waiting for you!
Another discovery when tidying up my old blogs. This one is as true today as it was when I first wrote it a couple of years ago. Now all this coronavirus kerfuffle is clearing away, we are working on our 'great reawakening' and hoping to be able to welcome guests again in a few months' time. Here's the 2016 blog: We are so proud of the ambiance of the Watermill and its surrounding countryside Continue Reading
Have you heard the news? Nearly 100 people have already signed up to paint amusing critters like us with Randy!
Yes, the latest news is that more than 90 people are already coming to Randy Hale’s next online, interactive painting session where they will paint, in Randy’s words, “a couple of critters in a whimsical and colourful manner.” You’ll not be painting the amusing trio above (they are just there to brighten your Saturday morning) but rather a multicoloured zebra and a rather haughty looking sea Continue Reading
Pleasurable painting in the piazza with Tim
Judging by their comments, the participants in Tim Wilmot’s first online, interactive session for the Watermill mill earlier in the week had a wonderful time piecing a piazza in the walled mediaeval town of Fivizzano, a mile or so from the Watermill. Here are some of the comments: “Tim's watercolour class was wonderful and I enjoy his style of painting very much.” “I so enjoyed last night's event. Continue Reading
Beat the coronavirus blues painting a rainbow zebra
Our next online, interactive painting session with the inspiring and sympathetic American watercolourist Randy Hale involves a multicoloured zebra, to bring a smile to your face and to the faces of the people who see your paintings. And Randy will throw in a snow egret, too. As you probably know, our Watermill online sessions have proved a great success, with more than a hundred participants Continue Reading
A stationary stone gathers moss
I never thought it would be possible to have a favourite stone, but this one is mine. We encounter it every day when we go for a walk along the millstream and through the bamboo forest beside the river. The stone stands beside the path just above the boca, the archway which marks the beginning of the millstream proper, after the waters have been diverted from the river. I like it because it Continue Reading
Still time to make your pastels shine with Rebecca
You have only a couple more days to sign in for Rebecca de Mendonça’s online pastel session this Thursday, in which she will show you how to capture shine and reflected colour in your paintings. We would love you to join us -- and, when you have enjoyed learning the art of pastel painting online with Rebecca, why not come and shine on her inspiring pastel course at the Watermill later this year? Continue Reading
A lasting memory of our ‘virtual’ week
Congratulations to Myra Baynton, who won the picture above by tutor Mike Willdridge in the prize draw at the end of our ‘virtual’ online, interactive painting week at the Watermill. The painting is of the flower market in the wonderful Italian city of Lucca which we ‘visited’ on our excursion day during the week. Mike is organising a mount for the painting and suitable protection before mailing Continue Reading
And so farewell… inspiring thoughts on the last day of our ‘virtual’ painting week at the Watermill
Friday saw the last day of our online, interactive painting week at the Watermill, where more than 80 people, from many parts of the world, painted along every day for seven days with our sympathetic and inspiring tutor Mike Willdridge. That’s his painting of our last day’s location, or rather, a washing line in the ancient village of Monte dei Bianchi, with the towering Apuan Alps in the Continue Reading
Peaceful painting in a tranquil convent on Day Six of our ‘virtual’ painting week
After our excursion into the bustle of the city of Lucca on Wednesday, the members of our online interactive painting group spent a few tranquil hours yesterday, painting in the grounds of historic monastery near the Watermill. That’s tutor Mike Willdridge’s demonstration picture of the scene above. Judging by the animated chatter of the Zoom session yesterday, the group is having a grand time, Continue Reading