* It is worth being an Early Bird. See below We are delighted to welcome Harry Westera, a popular Australian artist and teacher, who will be joining us in April (details below), . As one of his students says: “Harry has a gentle teaching style that brings out the best in the artists he works with -- raw beginners as well as those more experienced.” Hundreds of students have benefitted from Continue Reading
A peaceful location during a Watermill week
The charming little watercolour above, sent to me by Watermill painting tutor Randy Hale, brought back memories of the peaceful Thursdays when our painting (and knitting, writing and Italian language) location is a peaceful 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. The Continue Reading
Come and enjoy Gentileschi and Grahame, painting in unspoiled rural Tuscany.
Due to a cancellation, we suddenly have a place in the delightful Gentileschi bedroom for Grahame Booth’s popular watercolour course this year. The course runs from Saturday 8 October to Saturday 15 October and we would be delighted to welcome you here. The Gentileschi bedroom is light, bright, beautifully decorated with views over the Riverside Terrace and the River Rosario itself bubbling Continue Reading
Mary Jane’s memories of a wonderful painting week
Mary Jane Cooley, who was with us for Randy Hale’s painting week earlier this month, sent me this charming watercolour of the archway from the courtyard into the Watermill’s walled garden. She says: “ Thank you for one of the highlights of my lifetime during my stay at the Watermill. I'll be framing it, hanging it in my studio and remembering a beautiful experience.” Thank you, Mary Continue Reading
Still time to join Pamme and paint in the glorious Tuscan countryside
You could not find more glorious plein air subjects than in the scenery around the Watermill at Posara. Unspoiled rural Tuscany, with tree-covered hills, craggy mountains, fortified mediaeval towns, hilltop village slumbering in the sun… there are endless subjects to paint, and who better to paint them with than Watermill tutor Pamme Turner? A professional artist and college professor with Continue Reading
A toast a Watermill creativity and conviviality
An Australian painting tutor, an Ancient Roman drinking ritual, and some sublime Italian musical merrymaking. No one can say that Watermill blogs are not far-reaching and eclectic. The Australian painting tutor is Charles Sluga, who tells us in his recent newsletter that the expression of raising your glass and ‘making a toast’ comes from ancient Romans' habit of dropping a piece of toast in Continue Reading
Spring light in the woods, a stunning oil painting by Paul Talbot-Greaves
Watermill painting tutor Paul Talbot-Greaves has been very prolific lately, inspired by the quality of the light in an English Spring. He says of this oil painting: “Another alla prima springtime study, focusing on the quality of light. The foliage is very translucent at this time of year, which allows filtered light to illuminate shadows and giving the scene a saturated look. For that reason, the Continue Reading
The buttes are ablaze in golden light: Paint along online with Randy in the American Southwest
Our next Watermill online interactive painting session takes us to the American Southwest with our watercolour tutor Randy Hale. He says: “Nothing identifies the American Southwest quite as well as towering sandstone buttes! Late afternoon sun sets them all ablaze in golden light. Detail all but disappears within the deep dark shadows. The entire landscape finds its shape and form from the Continue Reading
A fishy tale from Plein Air Magazine by Jack Klaff, I hope it brightens your Sunday
Arrivederci to Randy’s painting group
Watermill painting tutor Randy Hale sent a charming Facebook note to all the participants on his course this week, together with an atmospheric photograph (above) of the archway to the Watermill walled garden. Randy writes: “I just wanted to thank all of you for making this week so enjoyable and full of new memories to cherish! What fun we’ve all had. And a BIG thanks to Lois and Continue Reading