Archives for November 2015

We are delighted to welcome the celebrated English watercolourist Keith Hornblower to the Watermill team. Keith will be joining us for a week-long course from Saturday 13 August to Saturday 20 August 2016 and we are looking forward to a fun-filled and inspiring course.

Keith 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. That’s his painting of a Willow Tree, above. Keith says: “The tree was much beloved by my Father who could see it from his house. This was painted furiously fast, throwing, splashing and smudging the paint, scratching out and finally adding some opaque touches. I like my paintings to cover the whole tonal range from the brightest white to the darkest darks – it’s the only way to achieve drama.”

And on an Italian theme:The Grand Canal in Venice, of course, seen from the Rialto Bridge.

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.

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.

*** 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.

An English village green, by Keith Hornblower

Our friend Terry Jarvis is returning to The Watermill next Summer for a week-long painting course in watercolours*  It will run from Saturday 2 July to Saturday 9 July 2016. Terry is one of Australia’s leading watercolour artists and a great fan of the watermill and the surrounding area of Lunigiana. *Terry works in oils, pastels and acrylics, as well as watercolours, and is happy to teach in those media too.

He’s just sent us some more pictures that he painted following his last visit to the mill and the surrounding area – and we’d love to share them with you. That’s Terry’s Morning Light in Lucca, above. and below, an atmosphereic painting of an Italian façade.

And the marble mountains near Carrara:

Terry says: “The villages cling to the ridges of the mountains, frozen in time for centuries. You must get out the paints and lift a brush!“

Here’s Terry demonstrating under the Watermill’s rose pergola.

The son of a goldminer, Terry was inspired at an early age to draw and paint the landscape, as well as people and animals. He now exhibits widely and is a popular tutor at workshops around the world. He loves drawing and helping his students to develop their drawing skills. Here’s what one guest on Terry’s previous course at the watermill had to say: “Terry Jarvis was superb with people, very positive and very relaxed. I’ve been on painting holidays before and learned nothing but Terry was great. When you got stuck he’d come along with a smile – and a brush – and bring your picture to life. He wasn’t afraid to criticise your work, but he had a really positive attitude, which helped you to improve.”

And finally, here’s Terry’s picture of Market Day in our nearby walled Medieval town of Fivizzano He says: “A captivating part of the week during a watermill painting holiday, when you meet the locals in the square by an incredible 16th Century Fountain. Just straight out of the movies! While I am there I love to buy a big bunch of flowers for the watermill.”

2 July to 9 July 2016

Terry Jarvis Watercolours (and oils, pastels and acrylics)

Please click here to learn more about Terry and his course at the mill.

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.

 *** 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.

Our good friend and Watermill painting tutor Sarah Yeoman spent some of her Summer in the Adirondack mountains of upstate New York, USA: “I live and paint in an off the grid cabin that was built by my great grand uncle Buster Lewis in 1918.”  And here are some of the results. Aren’t they marvellous?

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.

Sarah will be with us for two glorious weeks and you can come on either or both. But hurry, we already have 11 booking for Sarah’s first week and five for the second, so now is the time to reserve your place.

A Watercolour by Sarah Yeoman of the river Rosaro, which flows 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.***

 *** 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.

Here’s the last answer to the simple quiz devised by our friend and Watermill painting tutor Mike Willdridge who tries to capture that certain ‘something’ which reflects the places he’s visited.

Yesterday we showed you this picture:

Did you guess where it was? The answer is Wales. It’s an oil of the Brecon Beacons.  How might you have been able to tell?  Mike says: “Looks chilly (and it is, speaking as an ex soldier who’s spent time on those hills!), snow still on the ground, overcast sky, foliage, probably late afternoon etc.

And a final question: do you know where this is? (Actually, the caption gives it away!)

Mike Willdridge demonstrating by the River Rosaro which flows past the mill

Come and join Mike and capture the sense of place at The Watermill and the glorious surrounding countryside.

Mike Willdridge will be with us again from Saturday 27 August to Saturday 3 September 2016. He will concentrate on watercolour and drawing, but is also happy also to teach in gouache and acrylics.

Mike especially values drawing as a way of recording/responding to everyday events and makes constant use of a sketchbook. He’ll encourage you to do the same and to take a sketchbook on location, building up a journal of memories of your time at the watermill and in the unspoilt countryside of Lunigiana.

Some comments from our guests on his previous courses at The Watermill, many of whom were returning for another inspiring week at the watermill:  “Thank-you so much for a wonderful holiday. I enjoyed it very much. You were such generous and friendly hosts and Mike was an excellent painting tutor. The food was exceptional and, of course, the mill itself is great and in such a beautiful setting.”  “Thank you for yet another delightful holiday. So many special aspects to enjoy.  I just loved it.” 

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. To find out more about Mike and his course at the watermill next year, please click here. And to enquire about availability and/or reserve your place, please click here. And to find out about all our exciting watermill painting tutors in 2016, please click here.

 *** 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.