Harry Westera

Watercolours

Harry Westera is a popular Australian artist and teacher. He has a highly refined sense and love of colour but places a very strong emphasis - in both his own work and teaching - on the use of tone to create a sense of realism and feeling. As a ‘Contemporary Traditional’ artist, Harry seeks to create images that express the wonderful in the ordinary. He achieves this through keen observation and appreciation of how light falls on the subject to reveal tone and colour. He is equally adept with landscape, still life and portrait painting.

Hundreds of students have benefitted from Harry’s easy to follow teaching process and his friendly, helpful manner. We will do a few short watercolour exercises to get each day’s painting started and Harry will demonstrate two paintings each day, giving personal attention to help each participant achieve their very best. As one student said: “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.”

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices.

Ali Hargreaves

Watercolours and mixed media

Ali Hargreaves, from Poynton in the county of Cheshire in England, started her working life as a primary school teacher, but after 20 happy years, she changed direction and followed her passion for art. Ali enjoys painting a wide range of subjects and in a range of different media. Her favourite technique is ‘mixed media’, using watercolour as a base and adding all sorts, such as collage, pastel, pen, acrylic and print.

As well as being a great artist, Ali is also an enthusiastic teacher, running classes and workshops that are fun, vibrant and informative. On her course at the Watermill, she will be teaching how to draw and paint using mainly watercolour, but with some added media. Ali introduces lots of exciting techniques and balances her teaching and demonstrating through group work and supporting her students individually. The main objective is to have fun. One of her previous students says: “Ali works tirelessly on behalf of her students to provide an informative, inspiring and thoroughly enjoyable learning experience.”

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices.

Murray Ince

Gouache, pen and ink, line and wash (with watercolour)

Murray Ince has many years’ experience of fine art tuition, He loves to paint and teach on holidays and says that he is privileged to be able to be able to devote his time to his passion. He believes that the best work is produced in a relaxed atmosphere with lots of demonstrations, one-to-one guidance, encouragement and a shared joy of creativity. He says: “ I like to keep my sessions light-hearted whilst imparting serious techniques, tips and tricks.” Murray adds: “Anyone with the desire to draw and paint has it within them: anyone can learn.”

Murray is best known for his work in gouache, pen and ink, line and wash (with watercolour), but is happy to help with other mediums, like water-mixable oils, as well. A comment from a previous student: “I would recommend any holiday he is tutoring. It would be friendly, fun & instructive.”

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices.

Randy Hale

Watercolours

Randy Hale is an exciting watercolour painter from Colorado in United States. As well as his workshops in the USA, he has taken painting groups all over the world. After a successful business career, he returned to his first love, watercolour painting. (He was taught by James Green, an early proponent of the California School of Watercolor.) But his true passion proved to be to be in sharing his knowledge: enjoying the excitement of travel with fellow painters, helping them to create expressive paintings to enrich their experience. One of his students said: “He knows his stuff and he knows how to teach! Best watercolor instructor I have ever had!”

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices

Pamme Turner

Watercolours and gouache

Pamme Turner is a professional artist and college professor with multiple degrees in the Fine Arts. She has taught art classes and art workshops all over the world and has more than 30 years of teaching experience. She says: “I am fascinated by the creative art-making process and encourage my students to experience that same joy in all of their works.”

In this week-long workshop you’ll learn to paint with both transparent and/or opaque mediums “en plein air”, with an emphasis on beautiful watercolor techniques. As well as painting in the glorious Tuscan countryside you will also be working in the light and airy Watermill studio. The course is designed for painters of all levels. A previous student says: “An incredible workshop; more educational than a whole college semester! And so much more fun!”

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices

Painting retreat

A Painting retreat organised by Michele Buelow of the Fort Myers Beach Art Association of Florida, USA, but open to all. Because there is no tutor 0n this course, there is an additional £200 (English pounds) discount.

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices

James Willis

Watercolours

James Willis began making paintings whilst at school and graduated with honours in Fine Art and Music at the University of Chester in England, followed by an M.A. in the History of Art at Birkbeck College, University of London. He tutors and lectures at a number of English academic institutions, as well as running regular live and online courses in painting, drawing and art history. James’s work is inspired by his knowledge of architecture and historic paintings as well as a love of buildings, landscapes and the effects of light, shade and colour. He works mainly in watercolours and oils, always supplemented by many drawings.

An avid sketcher, James begins his creative process with drawings and watercolours made on location. He says: “The joy of being a painter is having the chance to respond to places and people and share my enthusiasm, knowledge and process to inspire others.” A comment from one of his students: “James is a delightful teacher… He is always encouraging all his students to look more closely, to try different techniques and colours and to ‘be bolder’”.

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices

Herman Pekel

Watercolours

Herman Pekel, from Melbourne in Australia, is an artist of energy and enthusiasm and produces award-winning work in watercolours, oils and gouache. He creates paintings of strong design and powerful impact – every brushstroke vibrant and visible. Environmental issues are a great concern to Herman and his love of the landscape is reflected in almost everything he paints.

On Herman’s course you will unearth fresh and honest art inside yourself and learn to capture it with paint. He will teach you to find originality in your own work. You will get started with new ideas in a way that is fun and fast. You will learn about colour mixing, glazes, composition, drying time, sickness and edges to create an Impressionist painting you never thought possible with watercolour. Expect to be challenged to be brave -- and have fun! Although Herman will concentrate on watercolours during his course, he is happy to help with other mediums as well.

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices

Maggie Renner Hellmann

‘Colorful & Expressive Oil & watercolour’ (also Travel sketching, acrylics, and pastel)

Maggie Renner Hellmann, from Santa Cruz, California, paints and teaches with joy, passion and enthusiasm. She has more than 30 years’ experience as a professional painter and plein air instructor in many mediums. Maggie loves painting in a quick, expressive, and colorful style, capturing the essence with loose brushwork and exciting drama. In her workshop, she will encourage the budding artists with easy-to-follow steps for improving their confidence and skills, while challenging the more experienced painter to be bolder and explore more choices. Maggie will concentrate on teaching fundamentals in design, simplification, light, value, shape and the ‘joys of color’. She will give her demonstrations in oil and watercolor, but is skilled with acrylic and pastel mediums as well and always happy to help in those areas too. This will be fifth of Maggie's watermill workshops.

Maggie’s students love her teaching style. A previous student shared: “Participating in a workshop with Maggie is a delight! She is one of the rare artists who likes sharing her knowledge nearly as much as she likes to paint. Her demos are a delightful opportunity to be a fly on the wall as she goes through the various steps in the process while simultaneously explaining each step. It was great to see the improvement in each artist's paintings though out the week."

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices

Mark Dober

Watercolours en plein air

Mark Dober, from Victoria, south-east Australia, loves to make paintings and drawings in the landscape. He says: “The beauty of nature inspires me, but also a sense of its strangeness. My work expresses both belonging and otherness. I seek to convey immediacy and a sense of the experiential in my work, hence the necessity of working on site.”

As well as a talented artist, Mark is also an experienced teacher. He will demonstrate in watercolour, though students may choose to use or try other painting media – gouache, acrylics and oils. He will proceed step by step, increasingly giving individual attention to each artist’s work. One previous student said: “Mark has a wealth of knowledge about plein air painting and shares his knowledge generously. No matter what skill level you have he can give you the confidence and encouragement to put paint to (surface/canvas/paper) in a way which is fresh and exciting.”

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices.

Belinda Biggs

Either pen & wash, watercolour, graphite pencil or coloured pencil

Belinda Biggs has gained international recognition for her prize-winning illustrations of the natural world. Her works are treasured in private and public collections worldwide. When tutoring painting holidays, however, she encourages her students to create in a more laid-back style, using pen & wash, watercolour, graphite pencil or coloured pencil.

She teaches classes, workshops and painting holidays which are regularly booked out. During Belinda’s week-long holiday in this picturesque part of Tuscany, Italy we’ll paint and draw anything from everyday objects to the beautiful scenery. Beginners are welcome. A comment from one of Belinda’s previous students: “Her ability to extract the hidden talents of her pupils comes through her easy-going attitude, and her own talents as an accomplished artist.”

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices.

Cynthia Armstrong

Travel painting in watercolour and gouache

Cynthia Armstrong has been a freelance illustrator/artist for over 25 years, and a teacher for the past 20 years. As a published illustrator, she has travelled and journaled extensively throughout her career with a client list that includes the New York Botanical Gardens, U.S. National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and the California Native Plant Society.

This course will offer insight into artistically capturing the lovely Italian scenes we will be immersed in while on holiday. Through demonstrations, exercises, and gentle critiques students will develop confidence in a variety of watercolour/gouache techniques and applications, while creating a travel journal. Praise from one of her students: “Cynthia’s enthusiasm for her subject matter and her ability to convey technique in a short period of time make it possible for class participants to progress quickly, resulting in an extremely gratifying learning experience.”

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices.

Mary Padgett

Pastels (and other portable media) en plein air

Mary Padgett is a passionate pastellist from Syracuse, New York, USA. She is also happy to teach in other portable media. She is noted for her use of colour and for her enthusiasm for painting on location. She says: “There is no better way to visit Italy than as a plein air artist! We’ll focus on observation with all our senses; looking, listening, and smelling the unique character of the Tuscan landscape to create drawings and paintings from the experience.”

Mary will work in soft pastel, but is also skilled in oils and acrylics and is happy to help those who would like to paint in those mediums too. Her students love her teaching. As one of them says: “Your gentle nudges have given us all better way of seeing.”

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices

Mike Willdridge

Watercolour and drawing (also gouache and acrylics)

Mike Willdridge works and in a wide range of media and is an enthusiastic and energetic tutor, often encouraging his students to be bold and to take chances. His classes are always light-hearted and fun, with the ‘teaching’ tailored to individual needs. He will concentrate on watercolours, but is also happy to help with gouache and acrylics too.

Mike constantly uses a sketchbook and will encourage you to do the same. A comment from a previous guest: “A wonderful holiday... you were generous and friendly hosts and Mike was an excellent painting tutor.”

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices

Brienne M Brown

Watercolours

Brienne M Brown, from Pennsylvania in the USA, is passionate about watercolour and plein air painting. (Much to her mother’s indignation, the young Brienne owned little clothing that was not covered in paint!)

She says: “I find beauty in everyday life. Each painting reminds me of where I was, the experiences I had, the sounds, smells, and the people I met … and I enjoy sharing how I see the world.”

Using strong value sketches, bold washes, and quick energetic strokes, Brienne will show you how to bring excitement into your paintings. No experience in watercolour painting is necessary, but some drawing experience is recommended.

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices.

Charles Sluga

Watercolours

Charles Sluga is a highly respected and sought-after Australian watercolour artist, who has gained a reputation for his versatility in both his technique and choice of subject matter. He has been a painting tutor at the Watermill many times.

Charles is also a great teacher, with a friendly and enthusiastic approach and an eagerness to impart his wide knowledge. He not only teaches technique, but also how to think and see as an artist, which he considers just as important. His classes are relaxed, informal and inspiring. One student said: “In addition to being a very talented artist, Charles is an extremely capable and professional teacher.”

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices

Tim Wilmot

Watercolours

Tim Wilmot is an artist from Bristol in the UK, specialising in watercolours, exploiting the medium with tone and light. He particularly likes painting landscapes in a loose or impressionistic style.

Tim is also an inspiring teacher. He has been a tutor at the Watermill for several years and his weeks are always inspiring and fun. Tim’s course is suitable for all levels, and he’ll help you to improve your drawing skills, loosen up your style, learn how to incorporate figures in a landscape, as well as nurturing you own artistic ambitions. One of last year’s guests said: “Unrivalled hospitality and total good fun. I love Tim Wilmot’s style.”

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices

Grahame Booth

Watercolours

Grahame Booth paints only in watercolour and his success is reflected in the numerous awards he has won over many years. His YouTube channel now has nearly 40,000 subscribers. Grahame only started to paint some 35 years ago, and, because he clearly remembers the problems of learning to master watercolours, he is a particularly sympathetic tutor, Painting en plein air, he will show you how to translate the landscape into watercolours full of light, excitement and impact. One previous student said: “Grahame can teach people of all levels and everyone learns and improves. Most importantly it’s always fun.”

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices

Georgia Farrell

Knitting and La Bella Vita

Georgia Farrell is a British designer, with a passion for creating architecturally inspired design for hand knitting and beyond. Georgia combines a methodical approach to visual research with a more organic approach to creative exploration, and she loves to share the stories and concepts behind each of her designs. With a background in textiles, Georgia skilfully translates her passion for architectural details into textured knitted fabrics. From there she crafts and builds collections of accessories, garments and homewares, to be knitted, worn and enjoyed.

For her week at the Watermill, Georgia has created a specially designed sampler style project to take you through some of the different techniques and stitches she uses to create her architecturally inspired textured patterns, giving you a real insight into the way she works. You will also spend time getting creative with architectural inspiration and collage, before translating your creations into knitting by combining colour and texture.

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices

Watermill Knitting retreat

Knitting and La Bella Vita

A Knitting and La Bella Vita Italiana retreat organised by The Watermill at Posara. Because there is no tutor 0n this course, there is an additional £200 (English pounds) discount.

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices.

Giulia Ballestri

Learn Italian from the Italians

Learn Italian immersed in one of the most beautiful and interesting regions of Italy, nestling between the Apuan Alps (where Michelangelo found his precious marble) and the majestic Apennines, the mountainous backbone of Italy. Enjoy your stay at a beautiful ancient watermill, lovingly restored, with views over the river, the gardens and the mountains. Savour a journey through history, nature and rural traditions in unspoilt Lunigiana and visit the stunning seaside villages of the Cinque Terre.

Giulia Ballestri, who was born, and now lives, in Pisa, is passionate about Tuscany and about the Italian language. She says: “We favour a communicative approach, which allows people to learn in a comfortable and stimulating environment, despite the different linguistic backgrounds of the students and sometimes also their different starting levels.”

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices.

Jo Parfitt

Write the stories of your life

Jo, a highly experienced writer and teacher, will give you the tools to write the stories of your life in a vivid and engaging way. She'll explain how to find your writer’s ‘voice’, about writing in themes; developing your characters so your readers can 'meet' them, too; and how to let your writing flow, particularly when looking back and writing about things that may have happened a long time ago. Among other things, you'll discover the secret of SPICE, the seven steps to writing life stories and put this into practice right away. There'll also be lots of time for writing exercises and feedback.

*Book before 1 September 2022 to come on this 2023 course at 2022 prices.