Recently I learned of a place in Italy where painting and creative writing courses are offered. Solo travelers to groups…it all looks like a place I want to visit. Check out what they have to say…
Find your inner artist or author in Tuscany
– New year, new skill…
Feed your creative side at The Watermill at Posara in Italy with a range of painting and creative writing courses held at a picturesque 17th century grain, chestnut and olive mill in rural north-west Tuscany.
In true Italian fashion, food plays an important role on each of the Watermill’s courses. Fuel your brain with superb local cuisine from Tuscany and the neighbouring regions of Liguria and Emilia-Romagna, be it gorgonzola soufflés, traditional Ligurian pesto using fresh basil from the garden or homemade tiramisu, all washed down with pre-dinner aperitivi and wines.
The Watermill at Posara’s 2014 programme includes 13 painting courses and three creative writing courses (crime fiction, TV scriptwriting and writing romance) Two sample courses include:
They say that everyone has a book in them, and author Sharon Kendrick knows exactly how to extract ideas from her students. With more than 90 Mills & Boon books to her name, she’s led six immensely popular courses at the Mill. During the week (3-10 May 2014), Sharon will guide you through the entire process, from the early days of plots, characters and dialogue, right through to selling your story and working with agents. Personable and enthusiastic, Sharon’s passion for romantic fiction is contagious and she knows exactly how to bring out the best in her students. Costs from £ (GBP) 1,310 pp (two sharing)*.
It doesn’t matter if you haven’t picked up a paintbrush since school as all levels are catered for on this course (7-14 June 2014), led by sympathetic American artist Becky Joy. You’ll be given the tools to create your own unique style through brushwork and colour. Your paintings will be filled with light when you discover how to make a painting glow. You’ll head out and about into the Tuscan hills, using the local surroundings as inspiration. There’s plenty of one-to-one tuition with Becky, and the week ends with an informal exhibition showcasing all of the students’ work. Costs from £ (GBP) 1,310 pp (two sharing)*.
Self-taught English artist Trevor Lingard (20-27 September 2014) has won international acclaim for his watercolours, which are colourful and dynamic. Introducing figures into your work, he reckons, cold be the hallmark of success.Trevor’s teaching is enthusiastic and informative and caters for artists of all levels. He aims to help students to build their confidence and encourages a loose approach to watercolours. On location, in the beautiful landscapes surrounding the mill, and in the studio, he’ll demonstrate architectural, figurative, townscape and landscape compositions. Costs from £ (GBP) 1,310 pp (two sharing)*.
*Prices 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. Flights extra.
For further information on the above courses contact The Watermill at Posara on (UK number)
I’m ready to go…how about you?