Fancy writing the next BAFTA-winning comedy or swapping a job in the city for a candlemaking career?

Nov. 13, 2012 - PRLog -- While its focus remains on painting and creative writing courses, The Watermill at Posara will be branching out in 2013 with a calendar that includes TV script-writing, candle-making, batik painting and more.

With all levels catered for, courses take place at a restored 17th century grain, chestnut and olive mill in rural, north-west Tuscany where delicious local cooking (think Tuscan pork, risotto with marjoram and courgette and amaretto mousse ice cream), combined with spectacular Tuscan scenery, will help creative juices flow.

Here are some of The Watermill at Posara’s new 2013 courses:

TV scripts in Tuscany – 29 June – 6 July 2013, from £1,236 pp*
British sitcom writer Laurence Marks – co-writer of numerous TV hits including Birds of a Feather and Goodnight Sweetheart – will lead The Watermill at Posara’s first script-writing course this summer. You’ll be in the hands of an expert – Laurence was taught by world-famous writers including Alan Ayckbourn – as you learn to write scripts that stand out, with one-to-one tutorials and team-writing sessions, as well as studying films and TV series that have become ‘classics’. In Hollywood, Laurence wrote for Paramount Studios and he was also co-writer of the hit musical Dreamboats and Petticoats.

Waxing lyrical about candles – 6-13 July 2013, £4,500 pp**
If you’re looking for a change of career, chances are you haven’t thought of candle-making! But, led by one of the world’s leading candle designers, Gary Simmons, and limited to just four students, this course will teach you to turn candle-making into a profitable business. The week-long course covers stylish indoor candles, scented candles, illuminating lanterns and exterior candles, as well as sculpting and carving wax, using colours and textures. Gary estimates a return on investment (based on a small business starting from scratch) within eight months and he’ll also be at the end of a phone or computer to offer business support for the six months following the course.

Batik-painting with a Guild member – 17-24 August 2013, from £1,236 pp*
A batik artist for nearly 30 years and a long-standing member of the Batik Guild, Angela Lenman is well-equipped for teaching the traditional art of batik. This art and craft of decorating cloth or paper with hot wax and dye comes from Indonesia, while Angela’s own influences often come from her own observations and travels – notably in India. Over the course of the week, Angela will give demonstrations and there’s plenty of time for hands-on experience with cotton and paper, creating collages and paintings using various techniques, such as bleach, plus cracking wax with dye-baths and using newspapers.

Double the tuition – 21-28 September 2013, from £1,436 pp*
Unlike every other course at The Watermill which has but one sole tutor, this course has two: Keith Hornblower and Simon Jones. Both professional architectural watercolourists, guests on this twin-tutor course benefit from twice the attention... for just £200 extra. Both are approachable and experienced teachers; Simon inspires students of all abilities and Keith’s laid-back approach, which encourages students to experiment – plus his willingness to share technical secrets – removes the fear that can often be associated with watercolour painting.

Agatha Christie in the making – 5-12 October 2013, from £1,236 pp*
Learn to pen who-dun-its on this crime fiction course with the award-winning thriller writer Meg Gardiner, whose own work has been translated into 20 languages. Covering the essentials needed to write a best-selling thriller – from building up tension and creating a memorable villain, right through to getting your work published – the week-long course will put a curb on writers’ block and leave you feeling inspired and raring to write. Now based in London – she grew up in California – Meg tutors on a number of crime-writing courses including workshops for HarperCollinsUK and the Elmbridge Literature Festival in Surrey.

*The price includes transfers (Pisa), all tuition, seven nights’ accommodation (no single supplement), pre-dinner aperitifs, all meals (including local restaurants), local travel and a mid-week visit to either Lucca or the Cinque Terre villages. Flights (Pisa) extra. Courses booked before 31 December cost from £1,149 pp, saving £87 pp.

** Learn the Art of Candle-making costs £4,500 pp (no single supplement) and includes the above, plus 1:4 tuition with one of the leading candle designers in the world, all candle-making materials for the course (bring a spare suitcase to take candles home) and a six-month business support service.

For further information contact The Watermill at Posara on (UK number) 020 7193 6246; http://www.watermill.net  

ENDS 3 November 2012

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