Was it Oscar Wilde who said that you should take flippant things seriously and serious things flippantly? It’s certainly true that we often take art criticism rather seriously, so today, courtesy of DailyArt online magazine, we're going to be slightly flippant about art, or rather about hats in art. There’s a fun article by Magda Michalska on that very subject and I thought we might share a Continue Reading
A sunny afternoon demonstration on Mike’s painting course
We are having a fun time in the sunshine on Mike Willdridge’s watercolour course this week. Here our guests enjoy the short demonstration outside the Watermill front gates, of the street to the village of Posara. You, too, could be in the picture if you hurry enjoyed Mike for a second week here this year, starting in less than two weeks’ time on 17 September. We’ve still a couple of places left Continue Reading
Nobel prize-winning scientist is in hot water over pasta-cooking advice
While the world worries about the cost-of-living crisis, the energy crisis, the global- warming crisis and every other crisis that journalists scare us with daily, Italians have been having a heated argument on the subject they all know best: the cooking of food, particularly pasta, of which they eat more than 20 kg per person each year. And a celebrated Nobel prize-winning Italian physicist Continue Reading
The Watermill’s three-dimensional September newsletter is just out
This month’s edition of the Watermill newsletter contains first ever aerial video of the Watermill, and very spectacular it looks too. Take to the skies and see the Watermill from a new dimension. We also have stories on Another Watermill innovation: painting course homework! Eine kleine nachtmusik in the walled garden Time to move Michelangelo’s David? Knitting bliss on Continue Reading
Welcome back to one of our most popular tutors: Randy Hale
It is worthwhile being an Early Bird. See below. Randy Hale, the exciting watercolour painter from Colorado in United States, has proved to be one of the most popular Watermill tutors and we are delighted that he is returning next spring for another weeklong watercolour course. After a successful business career, Randy’s true passion turned out to be painting – and travel – and teaching Continue Reading
Come and share Murray’s holiday painting passion with us next year
It is worthwhile being an Early Bird. See below There is nothing that our new Watermill painting tutor Murray Ince likes better than painting and teaching on holidays. So, we are delighted to welcome him to the Watermill next year. As he says: “I have been privileged for many years now to be able to devote my time to my passion.” Murray be with us for a special week-long course Continue Reading
Click your heels and join Pamme on her painting holiday at the Watermill
While the journey out is often part of the adventure on a holiday, more often than not at the end we wish for Scotty, the Star Trek engineer to beam us instantly home without the hassle of travel. Well, Watermill painting tutor Pamme Turner has an even better idea. She wants a pair of those red-sparkle magic travel shoes, just like Dorothy’s from The Wizard of Oz. Pamme writes: “Pack light!! Continue Reading
Harry’s gentle teaching style will bring out the best in beginners and experienced painters alike
* 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 special Watermill offer for creative Early Birds
We hope you and yours are well – and looking forwards to a creative 2023. We are certainly doing that here at the Watermill, with an exciting array of tutors, including new talents and old friends, for the coming year. Now s the time for you to start looking forward to joining one of the Watermill’s world-renowned creative courses – painting, creative writing, knitting and Italian Continue Reading
Having fun in Fivizzano!
Our painting guests on Paul Talbot Greaves’s watercolour course this week recently visited Fivizzano, the walled mediaeval town a mile or so up the valley from the Watermill. As well as sketching around the market in the main Piazza and savouring freshly made panini and home-made ice cream in the gelateria, they enjoyed painting around the ancient walls. Above is Watermill painting guest Grazyna Continue Reading