Release your inner creativity in Tuscany: The Watermill at Posara reveals its 2019 courses

Set in magical millstream gardens in rural Tuscany, with chiming church bells and abundant birdsong, The Watermill has become a popular base for its highly-acclaimed week-long learning holidays. Expertly run by Bill and Lois Breckon for more than 25 years, painting is the primary focus, with many tutors travelling from around the world to lead a course at this artistic haven.

Each year, The Watermill welcomes new and returning guests, who appreciate the expert tuition, generous hospitality, cosy bedrooms and top-notch traditional Italian cuisine, not to mention the chance to forge life-long friendships with like-minded people.  Offering outstanding value, the price includes all tuition, seamless transfers (Pisa), meals out at local restaurants, delicious Italian wine and prosecco and a mid-week excursion to Lucca or the Cinque Terre. 

In 2019, The Watermill at Posara will welcome art tutors to lead courses in watercolours, oils, mixed media, gouache and acrylics. The other creative courses include ‘writing your life’s stories’, scriptwriting, knitting and Italian language.

Bookings for 2019 courses are already flowing in fast but here are some of the courses with spaces available (a full list of courses is listed below):

Paul Talbot-Greaves – Watercolours (and acrylics) (27 April-4 May 2019)
With four books published, Paul Talbot-Greaves is an expert in watercolour painting and has been teaching the discipline for over twenty years. Join this award-winning artist and gain some invaluable tips and guidance to improve your watercolour prowess.

Sarah Hazell – Knitting and La Bella Vita (4-11 May 2019)
Sarah Hazell is an English knit and crochet designer with a passion for beautiful yarn and textiles. Her course will focus on the importance of colour, pattern and texture, with a special project involving Sarah’s famous Phoebe Poncho, on how to adapt designs and patterns to be a perfect fit for yourself.

Langues Services and Francesca La Sala – Italian language (11-18 May 2019)
Suitable for all levels, the course will focus on practical know-how as well as theoretical knowledge, with tutor Francesca La Sala tailoring tuition to the needs and ambitions of each student.

Keiko Tanabe – Watercolours (18-25 May 2019)
Keiko Tanabe is a much-sought-after instructor who, having grown up in Japan and later moved to California, uses watercolour painting as a vehicle to communicate her zest for life. With her emphasis on light and shade and her intriguing colour palette, Keiko produces unique masterpieces.

Jo Parfitt – Write the stories of your life (15-22 June 2019)
Learn to write in a vivid and engaging way, in the safe haven of the Watermill and its gardens, focusing on personal memories and finding the courage to write honestly and openly. Experienced writer and teacher Jo Parfitt will provide students of all levels with the confidence and skills needed to find their voice, writing memoir, non-fiction, articles and blogs.

Vicki Norman – Oils and other media (22-29 June 2019)
With a BA in Fine Art, Vicki Norman is inspired by utilising traditional techniques and applying them to her paintings. Vicki’s course will consist of lively demonstrations and plenty of individual attention to enable students to express their own vision.

Mike Willdridge – Watercolours, gouache and acrylics (29 June-6 July 2019)
Mike Willdridge has experience working with a variety of painting and drawing media, usually opting for a quick, loose style which reflects his energetic and enthusiastic character. Join Mike and learn about gathering speedy impressions in your sketchbook, which can later be worked on at The Watermill’s studio.

Sue Ford – Watercolours, pastels, collage and mixed media plus acrylics (13-20 July 2019)
Sue Ford, a much-admired professional artist and tutor, has experimented with almost every conceivable media during her career. Her varied course will guide those looking to explore a variety of disciplines in order to create a varied portfolio of work.

Jude Scott – Watercolours, acrylics and oils (17-24 August 2019)
Originating from Western Australia, Jude Scott has been painting and teaching for many years. With a particular interest in watercolours for their immediacy and unpredictability, Jude will teach students how to create stunning artwork using watercolours, acrylics and oils.

Varvara Neiman – Water-based oils, acrylics and watercolours (31 August-7 September 2019)
Varvara Neiman was born into a family of artists and teachers in St. Petersburg, Russia. Combining classical discipline with modern imagination, Varvara’s week-long course in water-based oils, acrylics and watercolours will encourage students to create their own interpretations of the area’s beautiful landscapes in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Laurence Marks & Maurice Gran – Screenwriting (7-14 September 2019) – To be confirmed
During this week-long screenwriting course, Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran will share their decades of success in the media industries, providing insight into structure, character, plot and script. Expect one-to-one tutorials, team writing sessions and the chance to study classic films and television programmes.

Claire Warner – Watercolours (and oils and acrylics) (14-21 September 2019)
Encouraged by her mother to paint from an early age, Claire Warner has been teaching for more than twenty years. Artists of all abilities will be encouraged to build their knowledge of watercolour painting, oils and acrylics and gain the confidence to create their own style.

Tim Wilmot – Watercolours (5-12 October 2019)
Tim paints landscapes in a loose, impressionistic style and will teach his students a range of techniques, including how to use light and tone to best effect.

David Taylor – Watercolours (12-19 October 2019)
Internationally recognised for his services to painting and teaching, David Taylor is one of Australia’s outstanding watercolour artists. David will share his expertise in colour and composition, whilst providing some top tips to those on his watercolours course.

*Prices: A Watermill all-inclusive creative week is priced from £1,640 pp (two sharing), and includes all tuition, full-board accommodation (with delicious home-cooked Italian cuisine and meals at local restaurants all within the price), drinks and aperitivi, transfers (to/from Pisa), local transport, course materials and a mid-week excursion to either Lucca or the Cinque Terre. Flights extra. Non-participating partners are very welcome to attend and enjoy a discount of £250 per person.  Bookings received before 31 December 2018 will qualify for the Early Bird Offer of £75 discount per person.

ENDS

For press enquiries, photography, press trip commissions or to interview the owners, Bill and Lois Breckon, please contact Julia Farish at Travel PR, tel: 020 8891 4440, email: j.farish@travelpr.co.uk.

Full list of 2019 courses:

Painting

Paul Talbot-Greaves – Watercolours (27 April-4 May 2019)

Keiko Tanabe – Watercolours (18-25 May 2019)

Sandra Strohschein – Watercolours (1-8 June and 8-15 June 2019)

Vicki Norman – Oils and other media (22-29 June 2019)

Mike Willdridge – Watercolours, gouache and acrylics (29 June – 6 July 2019)

Sue Ford– Watercolours, pastels, collage and mixed media plus acrylics (13-20 July 2019)

Jude Scott – Watercolours, acrylics and oils (17-24 August and 24-31 August 2019)

Varvara Neiman – Water-based oils, acrylics and watercolours (31 August – 7 September 2019)

Claire Warner – Watercolours (and oils and acrylics) (14-21 September 2019)

Maggie Renner Hellman – ‘Courageous color workshop’ in oils, acrylics, pastels and watercolors (21-28 September 2019)

Charles Sluga – Watercolours, acrylics and oils (28 September – 5 October 2019)

Tim Wilmot – Watercolours (5-12 October 2019)

David Taylor – Watercolours (12-19 October 2019)

Knitting

Sarah Hazell – Knitting and La Bella Vita (4-11 May 2019)

Debbie Abrahams – Knitting and La Bella Vita (25 May – 1 June 2019)

Marie Wallin – Knitting and La Bella Vita (6-13 July 2019)

Languages

Langues Services and Francesca La Sala – Italian language (11-18 May 2019)

Creative Writing

Jo Parfitt – Write the stories of your life (15-22 June 2019)

Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran – Scriptwriting (7-14 September 2019) TBC