Thank you for your kind words. We're delighted to hear that you found the Italian course both relaxing and intuitive. We hope you can join us again to learn from our new Italian tutor Serena Orselli this year 😊
#kindwords #learnitalian #creativeretreat
Thank you, Janet. It was a pleasure having you with us. We’re glad you enjoyed your time at The Watermill. 🌿
#posara #tuscany #creativeretreat
🌿📖 We’re delighted to introduce Serena Orselli, The Watermill’s new Italian language tutor for 2025. Serena brings a wealth of experience and a passion for Tuscany, Italian culture, and teaching.
Her interactive and tailored approach ensures every participant, regardless of their level, gains confidence and practical language skills while enjoying the beauty of Lunigiana. From grammar lessons to conversations in local markets, Serena’s classes immerse you in authentic Italian experiences.
Join Serena from 18–25 October 2025 for a week of learning, culture, and camaraderie. Places are still available 😀
https://watermill.net/our-holidays/italian-language-holidays/
#TheWatermill #LearnItalian #ItalianLanguage #Tuscany2025 🌿📖
Thank you so mush for your kind words. We thoroughly enjoyed your company and look forward to meeting again soon.
#tuscany #creativeretreat #paintingholiday
"Seven puppies, all coming on well", says Ombretta (one of the chefs at the mill). Pagna comes to work with Ombretta and stands guard at the kitchen door.
🌿 Jo Parfitt’s Tip for Writers: Leave Everything Behind ✍️
Jo Parfitt shares one of the most valuable aspects of her writing course at The Watermill—coming with a clean slate. Jo’s course offers a safe, supportive space for writers to grow both in their craft and personally. By leaving behind everyday responsibilities, you can embrace the experience fully, be authentic, and allow yourself the freedom to write without judgment. As Jo says, it’s an opportunity for you—no one else is watching or reading what you write. It’s your time to grow.
🌿 Experience Jo Parfitt’s writing retreat in 2025!
Jo Parfitt, known for her engaging and life-changing writing courses, will be back at The Watermill from 5 July - 12 July 2025. Explore more about Jo and her course below and reserve your spot today. ✨
https://watermill.net/holiday-programme/jo-parfitt/
#TheWatermill #JoParfitt #CreativeWriting #WritingTips #AuthenticWriting 🌿🖋️
🖋️ Jo Parfitt on the Power of Writing Longhand ✍️
In this video, Jo Parfitt explains the value of writing longhand—a technique she emphasises during her creative writing course at The Watermill. Whether it's called speed writing, free writing, or journaling, Jo encourages students to put pen to paper and let their thoughts flow freely. Many who try it for the first time during the course are amazed at the results and become hooked by the end of the week. Jo recommends practicing in advance and suggests books like Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg or The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron to help you get started.
✍️ Join Jo Parfitt at The Watermill next summer!
Jo Parfitt, a talented writer and mentor, returns to The Watermill for her inspiring Writing Your Life Stories course from 5 July - 12 July 2025. Learn more about Jo and her unique approach to creative writing here:
https://watermill.net/holiday-programme/jo-parfitt/
#TheWatermill #JoParfitt #CreativeWriting #WritingTips #LonghandWriting 🖋️📚
Grahame's group wrapped up the week with a fantastic end-of-week exhibition! 🎨✨ He bids "ci vediamo" to everyone, but don't worry—he'll be back at The Watermill next year, 11-18 October 2025. 🗓️🌿
https://watermill.net/holiday-programme/grahame-booth/
#TheWatermill #GrahameBooth #watercolourpainting #watercolourart #watercolourist #watercolourpaintings #watercolour_gallery #pleinairpainting #pleinairartist #pleinairchallenge #posara #tuscany #creativeretreat #paintingholiday
📚 Jo Parfitt’s Top Tip for Aspiring Writers ✍️
Jo Parfitt shares her number one tip for becoming a successful writer: read, read, and read some more. Jo emphasises the importance of reading widely to discover what styles resonate with you. By unpicking the techniques of your favourite authors, you can learn what works—whether it's Hemingway’s minimal use of adjectives or another writer's distinct style. Jo encourages writers to push their boundaries, suggesting joining a book group to explore different genres and challenge your preferences.
📚 Want to learn from Jo Parfitt in person?
Jo Parfitt, an experienced writer and author, will be back at The Watermill from 5 July - 12 July 2025. Discover more about her transformative writing course on the link below. Don’t miss the chance to grow as a writer in the beautiful setting of Tuscany!
https://watermill.net/holiday-programme/jo-parfitt/
#TheWatermill #JoParfitt #CreativeWriting #WritingTips #ReadAndWrite 📚✍️
Grahame Booth has been sharing his insights on working with tone in watercolours, guiding his students through the techniques in the studio. As part of his creative week at The Watermill, Grahame is now looking forward to taking his students en plein air to Monte dei Bianchi—a stunning hilltop village with views of the Tuscan countryside.
Grahame Booth, a renowned watercolour artist from Northern Ireland, is celebrated for his mastery of tone and light. His teaching style focuses on helping students capture the essence of a scene, whether in the studio or outdoors. He will be back with us in the same week next year!
More info: https://watermill.net/holiday-programme/grahame-booth/
#TheWatermill #GrahameBooth #PleinAirPainting #MonteDeiBianchi #WatercolourArt 🎨🌄
🎨 Capturing the Heart of Posara with Tim Wilmot🖌️
In this reel, Tim Wilmot shares his approach to painting en plein air in Posara. His focus is on absorbing the local atmosphere while tackling the challenges of perspective, with its intricate buildings and lush greenery. The student is Sarah Fischli. Thank you for your enthusiasm Sarah!
You can see the final painting at the end. How did he do? Let us know in the comments!
Tim will be returning in 2026. Dates tbd.
#TheWatermill #TimWilmot #PleinAirPainting #Posara #CreativeRetreat #WatercolorArt 🎨🌿
🎨 Plein Air Painting with Tim Wilmot at @conventodelcarmine 🖌️
Despite the chilly rain, Tim Wilmot @wilmottim and his students had a fantastic time painting under the beautiful stone arches of the Convento del Carmine courtyard in Fivizzano. This stunning Renaissance convent, built in the 16th century and nestled in a secluded area surrounded by pines, chestnuts, and fruit trees, offered the perfect atmosphere for creativity even on a gray day.
Tim, known for his vibrant watercolors, guided his students through capturing the mood of the courtyard, showing how to make even a dull, rainy day come alive in their work. A tip for painting on a day like this: add depth and contrast by using stronger tones in your colors to counterbalance flat white skies. 🎨🌧️
#TheWatermill #TimWilmot #PleinAirPainting #ConventoDelCarmine #CreativeRetreat #WatercolorTips #paintingholiday #watercolorholiday
