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Treat yourself to an inspiring yoga retreat at The Watermill – and save £GBP 75 by being a (just in time) Early Bird.

Yes, you have only a few days left to take advantage the Watermill’s Early Bird discount: If you book before 31 December 2015 there’s a £75 per person discount on Unplug and Unwind, our first-ever relaxing and inspiring yoga and meditation retreat, with Claire Murphy. So now is the time to book – and claim the Early Bird bonus.

We think that Claire Murphy and The Watermill are the perfect combination for a yoga and meditation retreat where you can not only ‘unplug and unwind’, but also savour the true Italian lifestyle in Lunigiana, the unspoilt region of Tuscany surrounding the mill.

Yoga, meditation and massage have been a way of life for Claire for more than 25 years and she’s passionate about teaching them. Together we’ve created a unique five-day programme, with fresh and inspirational yoga and meditation sessions, plus inspiring visits to local historic and scenic attractions – and beautiful home-cooked Italian food and wines!

Claire says: “My aim is to offer classes that are fresh and inspirational, always being informed by the latest developments in yoga, meditation and mindfulness practices.”

*Please Note: this retreat will start on a Monday and end on a Saturday.

19 September to 24 September 2016

Claire Murphy Unplug and Unwind

Please click here to learn more about Claire and her course at The Watermill.

Early Bird discount: book now!

Just to remind you: if you book before 31 December 2015 there’s a £75 per person discount on the Unplug and Unwind retreat. Please click here to enquire and/or book.

*** Why not bring your non-participating partner as well? There’s a generous £200 discount for him/her if they share a room with you — and there’s plenty for them to do. Have a look at our Partner’s Activities suggestions by clicking here.

Om! must remember to book my yoga and mediation retreat at the mill before The Early Bird offer expires.

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Treat yourself to an inspiring knitting course at The Watermill – and save £GBP 75 by being a (just in time) Early Bird.

26 Dec By Bill Breckon

Yes, you have only a few days left to take advantage the Watermill’s Early Bird discount: If you book before 31 December 2015 there’s a £75 per person discount on each of our fabulous 2016 knitting holidays. Courses are filling fast so now is the time to book – and receive the Early Bird bonus.

We’d love to welcome you on one of our sun-filled, fun-filled courses next year. Come and join us. You can find out more about all our knitting courses by clicking here — and here’s the list of our inspiring 2016 tutors, with links to more details about them and their fun-filled, sun-filled courses.

21 May to 28 May 2016 AND 28 May to 4 June 2016

Sarah Hatton Knitting and La Bella Vita

Please click here to learn more about Sarah and her courses at the mill.

Sarah Hatton is a designer for the Rowan Yarns and also teaches knitting classes worldwide. She learnt to knit as a child and has always been passionate about fashion. After gaining a degree in fashion design she began working in the handknit industry and has done so for over 15 years. She is also an enthusiastic, sympathetic and inspirational tutor and as well as helping you to make those two great projects, Sarah will also pass on professional tips and techniques to take your knits from ‘homemade’ to ‘handmade’.

10 September to 17 September 2016

Lisa Richardson Knitting and La Bella Vita

Please click here to learn more about Lisa and her course at the mill.

Lisa Richardson’s name is instantly associated with the Rowan pattern house. In addition to her designer role, she manages the pattern editing process and mentors newer members of the design team. Lisa is also an enthusiastic tutor, winning much praise from her workshop participants. For her week-long course at the mill she has devised two specially designed projects for you to knit: one inspired by Italian lace work; and the other that fully justifies her label as ‘slip stitch queen’

How to book a 2016 knitting holiday or find out more

If you’d like to book or find out more, please visit our Knitting Holidays website by clicking here. Or use our secure Knitting holidays Enquiry Form by clicking here.

Early Bird discount: book NOW!

Don’t forget, if you book before 31 December 2015 there’s a £75 per person discount on this fabulous 2016 knitting holiday.

*** Why not bring your non-knitting partner as well? There’s a generous £200 discount for him/her if they share a room with you — and there’s plenty for them to do. Have a look at our Partner’s Activities suggestions by clicking here.

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Treat yourself to a rocambolesco Italian language course at The Watermill – and save £GBP 75 by being a (just in time) Early Bird.

26 Dec By Bill Breckon

Putting theory into practice: This year’s language group enjoy an Italian lunch.

Yes, you have only a few days left to take advantage the Watermill’s Early Bird discount: If you book before 31 December 2015 there’s a £75 per person discount on our rocambolesco * 2016 Italian Language course. (*See below.)

There’ll be plenty of time for relaxation, as well as learning and absorbing Italian, on the week-long course at the Watermill – and, of course, savouring la bella vita italiana.

There will not only be formal lessons under the vine verandah (some 20 hours in the week), but we’ll also be making trips and excursions to enjoy the natural beauty of Lunigiana, the area surrounding the mill, to explore its history and culture, to sample its traditional foods – and above all, to meet the people, speaking Italian, practising what we’ve learned.We’ve teamed up again with the Florence language school, Langues Services, to design a week in which people can learn Italian in the most natural and enjoyable way ever. With our wonderful tutor Francesca La Sala, you’ll meet Italian people and interact with their daily lives.

Your immersion into the language and culture of real Italians will be customised for you, to suit your curiosity and your interests, helping you to treasure everything you learn and make it a seamless part of who you are. You will have the perfect opportunity to make new friends in the company of like-minded people learning and improving their Italian language skills… and enjoying unspoilt Italy and, of course, fantastic food and wine.

This year’s first-ever Italian language course at The Watermill was a great success. Some comments from our guests:

“A super language week. Well organised giving us a taste of ‘real Italy’. Francesca [our tutor] was amazing. Despite the disparity in ability she managed to help all of us towards a better understanding and production of the Italian language. The lessons were fun, interactive and helped me enormously. “The accommodation was great and the camaraderie which evolved was, I’m sure, due to your relaxed and welcoming approach to your guests.”

“We all had such Fun! I had a wonderful time on the language course and laughed so much! My confidence and knowledge has improved immensely over the week and Francesca has even sent us exercises to do at home to keep our learning going. She was tireless and gave us so much. The standard of accommodation, food, drink and your hospitality was, as ever, excellent.”

Saturday 7 May to Saturday 14 May 2016

Francesca La Sala

Italian Language course

Please click here to learn more about out Italian Language course at the mill, including the itinerary for the week.

*** Don’t forget the Watermill’s great Early Bird discount offer: If you book before 31 December 2015 there’s a £75 per person discount on our inspiring 2016 Italian language course. Too enquire about availability and/or book your place, please click here.

It will be a rocambolesco experience. : *If you speak French you may might already know the story behind rocambolesco, which roughly translates to “fantastic” and “incredible” (as in fantastical adventures). In the 19th century, French writer Pierre Alexis Ponson du Terrail dreamed up the character Rocambole — a swashbuckling adventurer who inspired the French word rocambolesque and, by extension, the Italian rocambolesco. Thanks to the Huffington Post for the explanation and thepicture below an details.

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Treat yourself to an inspiring painting course at The Watermill – and save £GBP 75 by being a (just in time) Early Bird.

26 Dec By Bill Breckon

Yes, you have only a few more days left to take advantage the Watermill’s Early Bird discount: If you book before 31 December 2015 there’s a £75 per person discount on each of our fabulous 2016 painting holidays. Courses are filling fast (some 95 places already taken), so now is the time to book – and receive the Early Bird bonus.

We’d love to welcome you on one of our sun-filled, fun-filled courses next year. Come and join us. You can find out more about all our painting courses by clicking here and here’s the full list of our inspiring 2016 painting tutors, with links to more details about them – and more of their stunning pictures.

14 May to 21 May 2016

Janie Pirie Painting plants with coloured pencils

Please click here to learn more about Janie, her course at the mill and to see more of her pictures.

4 June to 11 June 2016 AND 11 June to 18 June 2016

Sarah Yeoman Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Sarah, her course at the mill and to see more of her pictures.

18 June to 25 June 2016

Sandra Strohschein Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Sandra, her course at the mill and to see more of her pictures.

25 June to 2 July 2016

Lea Nixon Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Lea, his course at the mill and to see more of his pictures.

2 July to 9 July 2016

Terry Jarvis Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Terry, his course at the mill and to see more of his pictures.

9 July to 16 July 2016

Amanda Brett Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Amanda, her course at the mill and to see more of her pictures.

13 August to 20 August 2016

Keith Hornblower Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Keith, his course at the mill and to see more of his pictures.

27 August to 3 September 2016

Mike Willdridge Watercolours, oils and acrylics, drawing, sketching

Please click here to learn more about Mike, his course at the mill and to see more of his pictures.

3 September to 10 September 2016

Sarah Spencer Oils and acrylics, drawing

Please click here to learn more about Sarah, her course at the mill and to see more of her pictures.

24 September to 1 October 2016

Lisa Fu Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Lisa, her course at the mill and to see more of her pictures.

1 October to 8 October 2016

Lea Nixon Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Lea, his course at the mill and to see more of his pictures.

8 October to 15 October 2016

David Taylor Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about David, his course at the mill and to see more of his pictures.

*** Why not bring your non-painting partner as well? There’s a generous £200 discount for him/her if they share a room with you — and there’s plenty for them to do. Have a look at our Partner’s Activities suggestions by clicking here.

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Read all about it: The latest newsletter from The Watermill with your last chances of an Early Bird discount!

20 Dec By Bill Breckon

Our very best wishes for a peaceful Christmas and a happy, healthy and creative New Year from The Watermill team.

Our latest, newsletter, with a fresh new look, can be found by clicking here. Find out about all our latest courses, read a painting tip and a relaxing yoga and meditation thought. Come and learn Italian with us on our unique language course and have a rocambolesco time.

Our Early Bird discount of £GBP 75 off each and every creative course expires at the end of this year, so if you’ve a moment, make you rreservation in the next week or so.

We hope to be able to welcome you to one of our sun-filled, fun-filled, inspiring weeks next year, but in the meantime tanti auguri a tutti!

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Watch Keith produce a great watercolour on video — then come and paint with him in person!

17 Dec By Bill Breckon

I really like seeing the process of creation of a great painting, so I loved watching one of Watermill painting tutor Keith Hornblower’s demonstrations recently and marvelling on the progression from the beginnings above to the final painting of a Venice street scene below.

You can watch the whole of the video by clicking here and, even better, come and watch Keith yourself – and learn how to do it on his watercolour course at The Watermill next Summer.

Keith will be joining us for a week-long watercolour course from Saturday 13 August to Saturday 20 August 2016 and we look forward to creating some memorable paintings. Why not join him and do the same?

Keith Hornblower is an acclaimed English painter in watercolour, teaching and demonstrating to art societies and universities in the UK with enthusiasm and great humour. His approach is dynamic and spontaneous, dispelling the fear of white paper and encouraging people to let go and have fun. He stresses the importance of capturing the light and observation of tonal values, often using a very limited palette of colours to make things easier for his students.

Some comments from some of Keith’s previous students: “A magician with paint, your paintings always have the most wonderful light.” “Brilliant! This is what watercolour is all about for me — so free and fresh. What fun for you and your very lucky audience.” “A great tutor and so very helpful with techniques and tips.”

You can find more details about Keith’s exciting 2016 course by clicking here. And if you would like to enquire about availability and/or reserve a place, please use our Secure Enquiry Form, by clicking here. To get you further into an Italian mood, here’s Keith’s gentle watercolour of the Grand Canal in Venice:Early Bird discount bonus

If you book before 31 December 2015 there’s a £75 per person discount on this fabulous 2016 painting holiday.

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From first sketch to final painting: another fascinating journey with Sarah

16 Dec By Bill Breckon

We’re always fascinated to see the progress of a painting from the initial sketch to the finished object — and Watermill painting tutor Sarah Spencer lets us do just that again in her latest blog about one of her paintings that is currently on show at the Russell Gallery in London, England.

The painting above is called Over the Hill and it is of a scene in Uragaig on the island of Colonsay in the Inner Hebrides of the North-west of Scotland. It came about, Sarah tells us “from a series of smaller sketches done in a yelping wind in the Hebrides earlier this year.” Here’s the first of them:

Back in her studio in London, Sarah developed the painting over a month on a larger scale, some 80cm by 100cm. You can read – and see – the whole fascinating story on Sarah’s blog, by clicking here.

And if you are in London, you can see the painting at her exhibition in the Russell Gallery in Putney in South-west London, along with other landscapes and still lifes.

Award-winning English artist Sarah Spencer RAS, NEAC* is internationally known for her landscapes, portraits and still lifes. She has had no fewer than 10 solo exhibitions in London since graduating from the Royal Academy Schools. Her work has won national and international acclaim. (*Alumnus of the Royal Academy Schools, elected member of the New English Art Club and Federation of British Artists)

She also tutors painting courses and leads masterclasses for, among others, the UK Royal Academy and the University of the Creative Arts. She is a passionate and inspiring tutor and will take her Watermill students to paint en plein air at wonderful nearby locations, as well as teaching the art of portraiture and still-life in the Watermill studio. She will teach in oils and acrylics and in various drawing mediums.

Sarah’s course is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced painters. She says: “I am really looking forward to sharing my passion and passing on what I’ve learned about oil and acrylic painting and about drawing.”

Sarah’s course will run from Saturday 3 September to Saturday 10 September 2016. You can find more details by clicking here. And if you would like to enquire about availability and/or reserve a place, please use our Secure Enquiry Form, by clicking here.

Early Bird discount: book now!

If you book before 31 December 2015 there’s a £75 per person discount on this fabulous 2016 painting holiday.

Painting by Sarah Spencer, a tutor at The Watermill at Posara painting holidays/vacations, Tuscany Italy.

Less windswept and warmer — an Italian scene by Sarah Spencer

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A loud hurrah for Giorgio’s fish market

16 Dec By Bill Breckon

I often think that if Giorgio Vasari hadn’t written his well-known book, he’d be more famous!

This apparent contradiction comes about from the fact that in some quarters at least, Vasari is only known for his book Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, the first-ever treatise on art history, in which he lauded Michelangelo as the apotheosis of artistic development.

But Vasari, who lived from 1511 to 1574, was also a great Renaissance Man in his own right: painter, architect and street-planner, as well as writer and historian. He painted (with others) the inside of the dome of Florence cathedral and wonderful frescoes in the palazzo vecchio; he built the uffizi and in particular the loggia of the uffizi, creating a unique Renaissance street with unified architecture, the first regularised streetscape in Europe. Oh … and the Vasari corridor, linking above street level the palazzo vecchio with the Pitti place, so his Grand Duke, Cosimo 1 de’ Medici, wouldn’t have to mix with the hoi polloi on his way home.

The interior of the dome of Florence cathedral

And he built the Fish Loggia, one of my (many) favourite buildings in Florence.

The Grand Duke’s corridorio was part of a flurry of building projects designed to celebrate the marriage of his son and heir Francesco de’ Medici to Joanna of Austria, daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I.

To support the foundations of the corridor the old fish market near the ponte vecchio had to be moved. So Vasari build a new one, which can now be seen in the piazza dei ciompi. We regularly walk past it on our strolls through central Florence and when we visit the flea market in the piazza on the last Sunday of each month. (Fish are no longer sold there, but you can buy old fishknives.)

Alternating pairs of square and round columns support a double row of eight arches (increased to nine by Cosimo III in 1699), enclosing canopied vaults. And around the outside, there are wonderfully tondi celebrating fish and fishing. There are flamboyant coats of arms at the corners, including the one on the right celebrating Francesco and Joanna’s marriage, as well as those of Cosimo I and his wife Eleonora of Toledo.

All in all a graceful, rhythmic architectural space: lucky fishmongers – and lucky us! Let’s raise a cool glass of dry white wine (to go with the fish) to Giorgio’s lovely loggia del pesce.

You can come and see the Vasari Fish Loggia with us (and some other famous Florentine buildings!) on our beguiling three-day Florence Add-on before your week-long creative course at The Watermill. You can find out more about it by clicking here.

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Why are there so many castles in Lunigiana?

15 Dec By Bill Breckon

A view of part of our inspiring landscape by Ciao Lunigiana

One of the characteristics of Lunigiana, the beautiful area of Tuscany, Italy, that surrounds The Watermill is the ancient castle to be seen everywhere: perched on hilltops, commanding passes through the mountains, dominating walled towns.

We go to paint one of them, the castle of the Counts of Malaspina at nearby Verrucola on a location excursion during our painting holidays.

But why are there so many of them: some 160 within Lunigiana’s (rather indistinct) boundaries? I am grateful to James Martin, a writer, photographer and blogger, who’s been living part-time in Lunigiana) and writes about the experience at Wandering Italy and on the Wandering Italy Blog. Please click on the names to see them.

James says: “The sheer number of small castles comes about from a rather odd deviation in medieval inheritance practices. The long-ruling Malaspina family chose to pass wealth to all male heirs rather than subscribe to the more common practice of funnelling everything to the eldest male. This, in short, led to numerous smaller castles rather than a few powerfully large ones, and this distribution of power meant lower “taxes” for passage between territories, and thus cheaper and less dangerous access to the major port of La Spezia for traders coming from outside the region. The big boys liked this set of conditions, so the Lunigiana was protected from stronger forces by a happy equilibrium; everyone protected the poor Lunigiana from everyone else because you didn’t have to battle for passage.”

Sound like a good policy to me!

Here’s another castle you’ll see during your week at the mill. This one is called L’Aquila, The Eagle.

So come and join us – and paint a castle or two. We’d love to welcome you on one of our sun-filled, fun-filled courses next year.

Painting by Mike Willdridge, a tutor at The Watermill at Posara painting holidays/vacations, Tuscany Italy.

Mike Willdridge’s sketch of the castle of Verrucola, where we go to paint on Mondays

If you book before 31 December 2015 there’s a £75 per person discount on each of our fabulous 2016 painting holidays. Courses are filling fast (some 90 places already taken), so now is the time to book – and receive the Early Bird bonus.

Here’s the full list of our inspiring 2016 painting tutors, with links to more details about them – and more of their stunning pictures. .

14 May to 21 May 2016

Janie Pirie Painting plants with coloured pencils.

Please click here to learn more about Janie, her course at the mill and to see more of her pictures.

4 June to 11 June 2016 and 11 June to 18 June 2016

Sarah Yeoman Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Sarah, her course at the mill and to see more of her pictures.

18 June to 25 June 2016

Sandra Strohschein Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Sandra, her course at the mill and to see more of her pictures.

25 June to 2 July 2016

Lea Nixon Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Lea, his course at the mill and to see more of his pictures.

2 July to 9 July 2016

Terry Jarvis Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Terry, his course at the mill and to see more of his pictures.

9 July to 16 July 2016

Amanda Brett Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Amanda, her course at the mill and to see more of her pictures.

13 August to 20 August 2016

Keith Hornblower Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Keith, his course at the mill and to see more of his pictures.

27 August to 3 September 2016

Mike Willdridge Watercolours, oils and acrylics, drawing, sketching

Please click here to learn more about Mike, his course at the mill and to see more of his pictures.

3 September to 10 September 2016

Sarah Spencer Oils and acrylics, drawing

Please click here to learn more about Sarah, her course at the mill and to see more of her pictures.

24 September to 1 October 2016

Lisa Fu Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Lisa, her course at the mill and to see more of her pictures.

1 October to 8 October 2016

Lea Nixon Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Lea, his course at the mill and to see more of his pictures.

8 October to 15 October 2016

David Taylor Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about David, his course at the mill and to see more of his pictures.

Filed Under: General, Painting Holidays · Leave a Comment

Atmospheric Adirondacks from Watermill tutor Sarah Yeoman: now watch the video!

14 Dec By Bill Breckon

You may remember a little while back we showed you some lovely watercolours painted in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, USA last Summer by our good friend and Watermill painting tutor Sarah Yeoman.Now you can see how she does it! Sarah has just made a video of painting an Adirondack scene and you can see her at work by clicking here. Sarah will be painting at The Watermill next Summer for two glorious weeks (Details below.). Come and join us! Sarah adirondak screen shot 2

Sarah Yeoman is an award-wining American watercolour artist whose mastery of reflections, unique surface layers, and unusual perspective sets her apart from the crowd. Sarah is also a very talented teacher, who brings out the best in her students, recognising their unique talents.

Painting by Sarah Yeoman, a tutor at The Watermill at Posara painting holidays/vacations, Tuscany Italy.

A Watercolour by Sarah Yeoman of the river Rosaro, flowing beside the Watermill.

Some comments from a guest last year: “Many artists are successful in producing paintings, but not all are true teachers. Sarah has the ability to demonstrate confidently, withholding none of her ‘secrets’, to encourage students and gently give suggestions for improvement.” And another said: “Don’t think I have ever been ‘spoiled’ so much! Your Retreat at the Watermill is Paradise, AND then there is the FOOD and wine, and then there are the OUTINGS, and then there is the Tutorship of Sarah, and THEN the helpfulness of you all….WOW!”

June to 11 June 2016 AND 11 June to 18 June 2016

Sarah Yeoman Watercolours

Please click here to learn more about Sarah, her courses at the mill and to see more of her pictures. To enquire about current availability and/or reserve your place, please click here.

***Don’t forget our special Early Bird offer: If you book Sarah’s or any of our 2016 painting courses before 31 December 2015, there a £ (GBP) 75 discount.***

Filed Under: Painting Holidays · Leave a Comment

Archives for 0

Treat yourself to an inspiring yoga retreat at The Watermill – and save £GBP 75 by being a (just in time) Early Bird.

Treat yourself to an inspiring knitting course at The Watermill – and save £GBP 75 by being a (just in time) Early Bird.

Treat yourself to a rocambolesco Italian language course at The Watermill – and save £GBP 75 by being a (just in time) Early Bird.

Treat yourself to an inspiring painting course at The Watermill – and save £GBP 75 by being a (just in time) Early Bird.

Read all about it: The latest newsletter from The Watermill with your last chances of an Early Bird discount!

Watch Keith produce a great watercolour on video — then come and paint with him in person!

From first sketch to final painting: another fascinating journey with Sarah

A loud hurrah for Giorgio’s fish market

Why are there so many castles in Lunigiana?

Atmospheric Adirondacks from Watermill tutor Sarah Yeoman: now watch the video!

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