When I first bought the Watermill at Posara in 1989 (having been delighted by the scenery in this unspoiled area of rural Tuscany and enchanted with the ancient buildings and their beautiful grounds), I had no idea that my capricious purchase would turn into a world-renowned centre for ‘convivial creativity’. I was living and working […]
Italian prosecco producers are up in arms against British pubs!
Such is the popularity of prosecco that it has far outstripped champagne as Britain’s favourite fizzy tipple. And Aperol spritz is as enthusiastically sipped in the bars of London as in the canal-side cafés of Venice. But, as is often the case, with demand comes deception. The producers of prosecco, a sparkling white wine from […]
Welcome to Dottoressa Lois in the new Watermill newsletter
The Watermill’s packed February Newsletter celebrates the great event of last month for the Breckon family: Lois’ graduation as a Doctor of Philosophy (music) at the University of London. It gives you the lowdown on why Bill spouts portentous poetry out loud most mornings. It also keeps you up to date on all our Watermill […]
Looking at pictures is good for your mental health
The English poet and playwright William Congreve said: “Music hath charms to sooth a savage breast,” but did you know that paintings, too, can enhance the mood, and that looking at art is good for your mental health? That’s the subject of a fascinating article in the online DailyArt magazine. Author Nina Relf lists five […]
Moving along with the Watermill online: from Mike’s bikes to Randy’s bronco
Thursday’s online interactive painting session with Mike Willdridge captured the Italian sunshine and a couple enjoying a leisurely bicycle ride in a seaside town. It was another lovely session for our ‘virtual’ international painting community, with people from all over the world getting together to paint along with Mike for two or three hours of […]
Ride ‘em, cowboy! How to turn a stunning photograph into a compelling picture, in Randy’s online interactive session
Yee ha! Head out West with us for an American adventure. Randy Hale’s next painting session features this dynamic photograph of a cowboy riding a bucking bronco (left). Randy will show you how to convert this into a stupendous painting, capturing movement, energy and excitement in every brushstroke (right). Saddle up and join Randy for […]
Landscapes need enlivening ? Rock salt rocks! Carl will tell you why and how in our latest free online teach-in
Would you like your landscapes to be livelier? Adding rock salt to a wet wash creates intriguing abstract shapes, looking rather like starbursts or ‘sparkles,’ or giving a mottled effect to mimic sun-kissed or snow-covered foliage. It is just one of the water-resistant painting techniques Watermill tutor Carl March will show you in our FREE […]
Still time to brighten your chilly winter day painting the Italian seaside sunlight online, along with Mike
Lois and I have just had a very chilly week in London, and it wasn’t much warmer on our return to Florence yesterday. So, what could be nicer this week than painting warm Italian sunshine – and in the comfort of your own home! That’s just what you will be doing on Mike Willdridge’s latest […]
Make your watercolours better by keeping some water out! Carl will show you how
As Lois says in the video above, water-resistant techniques can help to make your watercolours even better, and our painting tutor Carl March will show you how it’s done, in our FREE online session on 8 February. For more details and to register, just click here. Join us to banish water and add a new […]
How we are making the Watermill Cooler and Greener. Part Two: Electricity
I reckon that you could boil 25,000 teapotsful* (litres) of water in an electric kettle on the amount of electricity we’ve produced from the sun at the Watermill. I hope I’ve got the figures right, and you may think I ought to have better things to do with my time, but I was just trying […]