ABOUT ALVARO

ABOUT ALVARO CASTAGNET 

Alvaro Castagnet is amongst today’s most highly respected watercolour artists and teachers. Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, he is a member of many distinguished art societies and has been recognised with top honours and medals in major art competitions worldwide. Alvaro is a successful author and sought after watercolour judge and his works grace the walls of private and corporate collectors worldwide.

 

CLASS INFORMATION

WHAT TO EXPECT

Alvaro will begin with a philosophical introduction and an understanding of the ‘4 Pillars’.

He will follow with a simple “one go” demonstration, focusing on bold composition. You will learn to make quick decisions and simplify subjects for maximum impact.

Participants will then begin painting whilst Alvaro assists and critiques works in progress, until we break for lunch. During the afternoon session, Alvaro will give a second demonstration and participants will begin a second painting. He will assist and critique until the end of the day.

On the second day, Alvaro will demonstrate both morning and afternoon and students will paint whilst Alvaro assists and critiques works in progress. Alvaro will end with a final critique session.

Participants will show the best painting they have produced. You will end the workshop with a sense of achievement and a clear understanding of both the strength and weakness of your paintings.

Discussions will include colour relationships, tonal range, edges, forms and shapes.

This workshop is an opportunity to learn from an energetic, amusing and colourful master of expressive watercolour. 2 days of intense work and productive learning will be inspiring.

STUDENT SKILL LEVEL

Intermediate to advanced.
If you have no watercolour experience and would like to watch a master at work, please contact me.

INCLUDED

WHAT TO BRING
WHAT TO BRING
watercolour paints, surfaces and brushes you use regularly
portable seat
hat, sunglasses, jacket, sunscreen
backing board for your paper surface
easel (not essential)

Suggested Material List:

Bring whatever you usually paint with
OR

LIST OF MATERIALS recommended by Alvaro

PAINTS
French Ultramarine Blue
Cobalt Blue
Cerulean Blue
Organic Vermillion
Alizarin Crimson
Burnt Sienna Light
Hansa Yellow Deep
Yellow Ochre
Pyrrol Red
Neutral Tint
Mayan Orange

SUGGESTED PAINTS
(not indispensable)
Titanium White (Daniel Smith)
Jaune Brilliant #1 (Holbein)
Lavender (Holbein)
Brown Madder
Viridian
Pyrrol Orange (Daniel Smith)

BRUSHES
Please bring the best you can afford. Alvaro will try to bring some to the workshop.
Preferable, round big, MOP shape and pointed brushes sable or squirrel (not synthetic!)
(Suggested: Alvaro’s Signature Brushes made of Premier Squirrel hair, soft and very absorbent, with long handles. # 10, 6, 4, 2, 0 and 00)
1 rigger or needle point for fine details and lines (like Alvaro’s #8)
Small synthetic brushes # 4, 5, 6 (for fine detail work) or 8,10 & 12 (Alvaro’s Escoda Set)

PAPER
For workshops, it is best to use from 1/4 to 1/2 sheet size, but of course, you can paint, in any size you feel comfortable. Alvaro will demonstrate in 1/2 sheets.
Arches or Saunders Waterford 300 grams / 140 p Rough texture off white
Some smooth paper for charcoal sketches.
Paper sizes Alvaro uses: 1/2 imperial = 56x38cms. 1/4 imperial = 38x28cms. Panoramic= 56x19cms

ADDITIONAL ITEMS
Sponges, towel, tissues, water container, masking tape, 2b –6b pencil, charcoal sticks, water spray bottle, hair dryer, Painting boards & light-weight easel for outdoor painting (weather permitted). And lots of good sense of humor!!

PRICE

Sat & Sun workshop $380.00 (join the waitlist)

 
CANCELLATION
A refund is possible if a replacement booking is received.

 

TESTIMONIALS

 

“The latest with Alvaro was probably the best I’ve ever taken from a learning standpoint; I was finally able to free up my work. I enjoyed his fantastic personality. He is one great character!” Bob

 

“I just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful workshop at the Hudson River Art Workshops. You have opened my eyes to the incredible possibilities of the medium and ignited a desire to really go after learning how to master watercolour!”

 

“Your teaching, passion for art and life, and generosity of sharing your knowledge is so very much appreciated.” Deborah

 

“Love the paintings and the inspirational insights! Thank you for sharing and thank you for keeping the many aspiring painters around the globe continuously challenged and on our collective toes!! You are a role model to us all!!” Mick

 

“The painting course was just great. I enjoyed it very much. As a person you are full of fun and humour; as a painter you are a good observer, improviser and very skilled as well as daring. Your technique is sublime. You made me look at water colouring in a different way.”

 

“On my behalf I must tell you that you absolutely changed the way I see the world, and I feel very grateful for that. You gave us more than a usual bag of tips and tricks, but a vision. You are a great artist and a wonderful person. To see you work miracles every day, twice a day, and share it so generously with us was a life-changing experience.” Irina

 

“Alvaro, since I took your workshop, I received four awards for paintings I did subsequently. You definitely helped me be bolder, but I still have a long way to go….Thanks so much!!” Robert

 

“Alvaro completed 10 demonstration paintings! His critiques of our work were perceptive, honest and tremendously helpful. I learned so much from him, well beyond techniques. Indeed practical strategies for maximising one’s personal “footprint as an artist” (his expression) using the water colour medium, is his passion.” Cheryl