The Watermill at Posara announces its new 2015 courses

Oct. 14, 2014 - PRLog -- Inspired by the works of Turner at the Tate Britain, romantic novels, the BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee programme or the V&A’s Constable: The making of a master exhibition?  It’s never too late to learn a new skill or to revisit your love of painting, writing or knitting from earlier years, as a visit to The Watermill will prove.

Based at a restored 17^th century olive and chestnut mill deep in the Tuscan countryside, The Watermill at Posara offers a range of expert-led painting, creative writing and knitting courses.  Set in secluded gardens that are filled with roses, fragrant lavender and fruit trees, the food is much-celebrated, too, with menus including twice-baked gorgonzola soufflé withsognino (lamb’s lettuce) served with edible nasturtium flowers (from The Watermill’s walled garden) and avocado ice cream. Included in the price is the seven-night course, accommodation, all meals and apertivi, together with transfers (Pisa) and outings  - it’s a great-value week.

The Watermill at Posara’s 2015 full programme includes 16 painting courses, two creative writing courses and three knitting courses. Here is a summary of the nine new courses taking place next year.

NEW: Rob Edmondson - Acrylics plus watercolours and other media (25 April – 2 May)

Lancashire art teacher Rob Edmondson specialises in mixed media - including acrylics - with an extensive knowledge of artistic techniques that he passes on to his students. Rob's course will draw inspiration from the beautiful Tuscan setting and caters for all abilities. Costs from £1,345 pp (two sharing)*.

NEW: Doranne Alden - Watercolours (9 May - 16 May)

Malta-based artist and teacher Doranne Alden likes to inject personality and her life’s philosophy into her work.  She has led many watercolour workshops and is as happy teaching beginners as she is more experienced painters. Costs from £1,345 pp (two sharing)*.

NEW: Sue Ford - Watercolours, pastels, collage and mixed media plus acrylic (16 May - 23 May)

Sue Ford, from Yorkshire, is a natural teacher who is happy to work in any medium and pass on her experience to others. Sue’s aim is to get her students to be confident in their own abilities and develop their own artistic vision. Costs from £1,345 pp (two sharing)*.

NEW: Kevin Scully – Watercolours, oils, pastels or other media (30 May - 6 June)

English painter Kevin Scully is a multi-talented artist, illustrator and tutor who has worked in advertising, publishing and the theatre.  He is also a trained draughtsman, calligrapher and an award-winning garden designer. Kevin’s course at The Watermill is suitable for all levels and students are encouraged to choose their own favoured medium. Costs from £1,345 pp (two sharing)*.

NEW: Sandra Strohschein - Watercolours (20 - 27 June)

Sandra Strohschein is a self-taught watercolourist from Michigan with a big social media following.  Sandra only began painting five years ago but her work is already highly sought after.  Sandra first visited The Watermill as a student but will return to The Watermill as a teacher, leaving her students wanting more with her fun attitude and extraordinary talent. Costs from £1,345 pp (two sharing)*.

NEW: Leslie Fehling - 10-day 'Creating your own watercolour journal' (24 June - 4 July)

Leslie Fehling’s illustrated watercolour journals have gained her an international following.  Join Leslie on a 10-day painting holiday that includes an optional three days in Florence with Leslie and a tour guide, followed by a week at The Watermill.  Leslie will advise students on techniques for hand-lettering, borders, page designs and, of course, eye-catching watercolour sketches.  Costs from £1,345 pp (two sharing) for the course plus £695 pp (four sharing) for the Florence add-on**.

NEW: Rhoda Draws - Fast and loose sketching (4 -11 July)

Rhoda Draws, who lives near San Francisco, combines her love of travel with techniques for rapid sketching 'on the go'. Her sketchbooks are filled with drawings created from around the world and she works with waterproof pens and aquarelle (water-soluble) coloured pencils to create a variety of styles.  Costs from £1,345 pp (two sharing)*.

NEW: Nancy Marchant – Brioche stitch and La Bella Vita Italiana (19-26 September)

“Brioching” is an innovative knitting technique that creates a double-sided fabric, forming two layers of knitting in a warm and beautiful texture. Author and knitting expert Nancy Marchant will share the secrets of both one and two-colour brioche knitting and there will be an opportunity for students to create their own motif as well as make a start on a scarf, shawl or cowl under Nancy’s expert guidance. Costs from £1,345 pp (two sharing)*.

NEW: Anne Kerr – Watercolours and pastels (10-17 October)

Anne Kerr is a Cornish-born professional artist with over 30 years’ teaching experience. Anne specialises in bringing each student out of their comfort zone, encouraging them to try a new approach or adopt a completely new painting medium, perhaps swapping from watercolours to pastels.  Anne is also a firm believer that sometimes the simplest paintings are the most stunning. Costs from £1,345 pp (two sharing)*.

Book by 31 December 2014 and take advantage of the Early Bird Bookers discount of £75 pp off every 2015 course. For a full list of the courses available please visit http://www.watermill.net or call The Watermill at Posara on (UK number) 020 7193 6246.

*Seven-night trips to The Watermill include all tuition, seven nights’ accommodation, all meals (including local restaurants), drinks and aperitivi, transfers (to/from Pisa), local transport, materials and a mid-week excursion. Prices start from £1,345 pp (two sharing).  Flights extra.

**The optional Florence add-on applies to the courses run by Leslie Fehling (24 June – 4 July) and Keiko Tanabe (30 September – 10 October) and costs an additional £695 pp (four sharing) including three nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast, expert guide and local transfers.

ENDS – 14 October 2014

For press enquiries, to discuss press trip commissions or for photography, please contact Julia Farish or Camilla Colley at Travel PR, tel: 020 8891 4440, email: j.farish@travelpr.co.uk or c.colley@travelpr.co.uk.