Painting holiday at The Watermill in Tuscany,

The Watermill at Posara is a complex of elegant and historic Tuscan buildings, surrounding a sunny courtyard with an adjoining vine verandah, rose pergola and sun filled walled garden. More gardens lead to riverside walks and the sun dappled mill stream. The hosts Bill and Louis specialise in providing relaxing, inspiring and fun-filled painting holidays.

The Watermill stands beside the River Rosaro in the small village of Posara. Peaceful and secluded, yet part of the village, the mill is just a mile or so from the walled medieval town of Fivizzano with its cafés, restaurants and shops. This is the heart of Lunigiana, in the North-west of Tuscany, a truly unspoilt part of Italy, stunningly beautiful and full of protected wildlife.

You will be painting and sketching at the beautiful Watermill and in many inspiring locations nearby. We take you on painting or sketching trips to an ancient castle and village, to market day in a nearby walled Medieval town, to a secluded cloistered convent and to a thousand-year old hilltop village with craggy mountain views…….. And there’s a whole day (non-painting) excursion by train to the walled city of Lucca or to the fishing villages of the Cinque Terre.

Pam will show you how to create your own concertina sketchbook which you will use to make pen and wash sketches, which is a simple technique to master and even beginners can feel confident in creating a unique and vibrant piece of work. There will also be time to develop your work in the studio.

"I have had the most amazing holiday painting with you and a super group of likeminded aspiring  artists. I had never done anything like that before so I was very nervous knowing there were some very experienced artists there. Everyone was so friendly and encouraging and we had a lot of laughs too. Pam thank you for your demonstrations which were excellent. Thank you for your patience and help and encouraging me to learn more skills. Thank you again for the very best holiday I have had in years. I hope to be able to come on another holiday some time."

Bill and Louis have lovingly restored the historic buildings and created nine beautiful bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, plus two self-contained apartment suites, each with a double bedroom, bathroom and sitting room, ideal for couple or friends sharing. The bright and airy rooms are well decorated and tastefully furnished and all enjoy lovely views of the river, the gardens or the mountains. There is also a communal kitchen, with chilled water (sparkling and still) and facilities for personal tea-/coffee-making. 

“Last but by no means least Pam- the tuition!  I really enjoyed everything we did. All at a relaxed pace and no pressure. It’s good to watch you work too!! I thought the first morning doing the little sketches was a great idea to get you looking round and not over thinking. I feel I was lucky to be among such a lovely bunch of people. You included. I’m Definately up for the trip next September. ” WW