Welcome Back! . . .

In this month’s issue I will share with you when and how I began my career in art, why I chose watercolor as my main medium, why intuition is important, and how to obtain dramatic lighting effects in your paintings.  Also, I invite you to watch my online videos as they will inspire you to become a better painter!

How To Obtain Dramatic Lighting Effects

Plenty of my paintings are done in chiaroscuro, or stacatto. What is Chiaroscuro? It is the “distribution of light and shade in a picture. The use of deep variations in and subtle gradations of light and shade, especially to enhance the delineation of character and for general dramatic effect: Rembrandt is a master of chiaroscuro”.

To obtain such a dramatic lighting effect, is simply using the polarity of values. Every time we place a strong value next to a weak value, that dramatic sense of light is created automatically. Simply put, any kind of light we pursue to achieve in our painting is a matter of manipulating values and organizing them in a way for maximum impact.

My Art Career Begins

I studied with prof. Garino, at a very early age, when I was only 12. Then I went to ‘Bellas Artes’ Art School, where I learned from one of the finest Uruguayan painters, Miguel Ángel Pareja, he taught me a lot about theory of colours. My technical skills reached their professional peak in Melbourne Australia where I spent a few years focused and immersed on developing my own style of painting.  Met lots of fellow artists, working in the medium at a very high level, I got so inspired and focus, there was no looking back!

Why I Chose The Watercolor Medium

I simply love the medium. It suits my personality. It’s spontaneity, it’s speed of execution, it’s happy accidents, and perennial pigments, cotton paper, and other elements that enhance the glow with an intense chromatic brilliance of any hue. I believe it is a superb medium because of these reasons, and that it captures mood, ambiance, and magic within one session. The speed of execution and how rapidly it dries off, to my liking; makes this medium second to none!

The Importance of Intuition

I believe trusting your feeling and intuition simply cannot be taught. From the prefix ‘in’, comes the meaning that we are born with it. We cannot deny the existence of intuition, and intuition itself plays a very important role when it comes to painting, as it express the emotions of the artist for the chosen subject.

Quote of the Month

• JULY 23 – 27, 2012 – COASTAL MAINE ART WORKSHOPS, Rockland, ME

Phone: 207-594 4813    Email: info@coastalmaineartworkshops.com

www.coastalmaineartworkshops.com

- Alvaro Castagnet

I am here in the U.S and really enjoying it! 

Had a fabulous time at Folsom and in Fallbrook, CA. Thanks again for all the fine people who came and those who organized the events.  Now on my way to Taos, NM, for a demonstration and book signing at the Total Arts Gallery on Sunday, April 15 at 12:30 p.m. Then I will be heading to Santa Fe for a workshop. Hoping to see you there!

In this months newsletter, you will discover the reason why your work should always mirror your personality; what the more personal aspects of painting are; if you should allow your feelings, your mood or your character to show through your watercolours; and what is more important: your sensitivity or your technical skills?  I hope that you enjoy this article, and be sure to contact me if you have any questions. – Alvaro

How To Reflect Your Personality In Your Art

Does your character influence your painting subjects?  I would have to say for me, the influence is very strong, as I am a spontaneous guy, and I like to choose my subjects that way. I may be walking around, and suddenly see something that catches my eye and feelings, and prompts me very quickly to paint. I execute quite fast, so that is why watercolors is a great medium for me to work on.

So, then, should your work always mirror your personality? Definitely yes. What you show in your painting holds the strongest intimacy of your personality. Obviously as long as you paint in a sincere and honest way. I am known to have a very strong and colorful personality, this reflects greatly in my paintings.

What then is the more personal aspects of painting; passion/emotion as opposed to technical ability?  I strongly believe passion/emotion is far more important than the technical ability of the artist. I believe a good painting shouldn’t be recognized for the technical ability, however, when a painting has mood and passion/emotion, it will always reach the heart of the audience.

When you are painting, should your feelings, your mood or your character show through your watercolours? This condition is paramount. Every artist on earth should strive to convey the mood and ambience of the chosen subject.

What is more important to you: your sensitivity or your technical skills?  The artists sensitivity should be without a doubt most important. However, to be able to express sensitivity in your paintings requires the knowledge and use of a strong technical skill as this will give the artist freedom, to express himself with authority.

Testimonials

“Just a brief email to say how much I enjoy you book and of course your latest DVD. I often find myself going back to my old painting methods – the methods I used before I met you. I then look at your DVD and the photos of Girona and I get better again. Your talent is incredible”.  – Dave

“Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your latest book. I found it quite inspirational; it goes way beyond the usual “How To” formula I see in most publications – I really don’t want to be told how to mix greens or draw an eye!  I am a professional architectural illustrator/artist and I’m trying to break away from the usual technique of drawing an outline and colouring it in. Boring! You’re work, and enthusiasm, have been a massive help to me in loosening up my technique, and I, like you, believe that watercolour is a medium to be taken seriously. It’s at least on a par with oils, and I’m glad to see that galleries are at last beginning to realize it.  Keep up the good work, and I’m looking forward to seeing and working with you at Whitby in June.  Keep the faith!” – Keith

Learn how to go beyond watercolor techniques to illustrate the elusive side of painting.

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Does Your Brush Matter?

Brushes are the most important tool of the painter. My years of experience with watercolor lead me to design the ideal ‘extended finger’. Your painting will benefit from the Squirrel Natural hair brushes which are of premier hair, soft and very absorbent. For more freedom and better craftsmanship these brushes are designed to paint, paint, paint!

• APRIL 9-13, FALLBROOK, CA
• APRIL 16-20, SANTA FE, NM
• MAY 7-15, Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Italy
• MAY 20-25, ENGLAND
• JUNE 10-15, SCOTLAND
• JUNE 18-22, Raven Hall, Yorkshire, UK
• JULY 16-20, BOSTON, MA
• JULY 23-27, ROCKLAND, ME

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“As a rule of thumb, never go for the obvious subject. I prefer to succumb to the chancy elements of life, the unpredictable and the absurd, and turn them into a work of art. There is always far more to win”. – Alvaro

• APRIL 15, 2012 – SUNDAY.  TOTAL ARTS GALLERY in TAOS, NM

FREE DEMO at 1:30 pm and RECEPTION at 12:30 pm

Welcome to this issue of “Embrace Watercolors”

First off let me say from my heart you all have made me so so happy! I have being reading the hundreds of comments, greetings, and thank you notes so many of you sent, regarding my book “Beyond Technique” What an honor it is to” hang out ” with people like you! You make it all worth while, all the hard work has been so worth it. Thank you!

In Today’s newsletter I wanted to share with you one of my most Favorite passions, COLOR. Long before I began to paint watercolors, I was drawing and painting anything it would catch my attention. I love to paint anywhere, anytime, anything I can get my eyeballs on!

Today I’m sharing with you some of my views about color and values.  I hope you enjoy this newsletter!

Hasta la Vista!  Alvaro

Preserving the Chromatic Quality of Color & Value

I do believe color is a universal language.

It communicates by stimulating and transmitting emotions, creates atmosphere, and moods. As an artist I find it irresistible, to “Talk” the universal language of color, because allows me to lift up my creativity and take it into a higher dimension to be able to influence the emotions. I always think color is one of life’s luxuries! Light is a very powerful tool, as it has the capacity to transform the quality of any particular color. Light should never be underestimated, as it can “make or break” a color.

And this brings me to talk about the importance of VALUE. I refer to this important issue many times in previous articles, or in my book “Watercolor painting with Passion”.…where I was then quite explicit, about the importance of values in a well compose painting. Values simply refers to the lightness or darkness of a Hue.

Knowing, obviously, that in our specific medium, watercolors the value of any given hue, can be changed by adding water (to make it lighter or more dilute) or if we want to make it darker by adding the complementary hue, across the color wheel to darken a hue up and still preserving the chromatic quality of the color.

Let me tell you, that not always this principle works, as certain colors, tend to become a bit muddy, that is the case, for example of orange, and blue. They do react creating an ugly brownie hue. And they are perfect complimentary colors any way. I prefer in cases like this, to use a neutral hue like Ultramarine blue + Alizarin Crimson to darken the orange hue up. Nevertheless, values clarifies space and form, but not only shading can create a two dimensional element, Values also imparts texture, definition and emotion, mood, ambiance!!!

Therefore the chapter for color / value, it is paramount for the life of a work of art. That is why, sketching the subject in charcoal or pencil, becomes so important, before the actual painting is done. Many accomplished artist don’t physically do this exercise, as with their practice, is already “built in”.

Adjusting black white and grays until it pleases the eye, working simultaneously not only with the space and forms, but also, with the edges of the strokes, some soft, some hard, then, and only then matching the desired hues to these values- These exercise helps to offset the overriding influence that hues can impart. Once you do lots of sketching, once you understand the importance of the color/value relationship, then we know that a composition of a few hues with a fairly wide range of values is not only visually appealing, but is able to convey the message the artist is trying to communicate. Different values create contrast and definition of light.

Choosing the right value, helps with enhancing the shapes and size of our chosen subject.

In real life we see hundreds of values, usually I work with four mayor color/values, two on the light, two on the dark sections……..Although I know the properties of certain colors, I often break the rules, in a pursue of pushing the boundaries of color theory to their limit, to come up with new sensations, that help me emphasize what I have chosen to transmit.

Base your color choice around its virtues, and manipulate its values to support the message you are trying to convey. Try to achieve harmony rather than uniformity, balance the use of color with different values and texture. Choosing the right values can make your work be more expressive even when your colors are at their most elusive and indefinable.

Think about Color and values, but paint from the heart!!!!

Prestigious Art Show at Fallbrook Art Center

Time Square, NY

From Feb. 5 through March 18, the Fallbrook Art Center will host both the American Watercolor Society and National Watercolor Society Travel Exhibitions, the only venue in the United States to do so. In addition, Fallbrook Art Center’s own Signature American Watercolor Exhibition will be presented.

This show is limited to artists who have achieved official Signature Membership status in one or more established U.S. watercolor societies.

There will be over 100 paintings presented with a wide range of subject matter, technique, and style from experimental to traditional.

The show hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday noon to 3 p.m. Admission is $5 with art center members free. The Fallbrook Art Center is located at 103 S. Main Ave. See www.fallbrookartcenter.org for more information.

First Impressions: The Best Kept Secrets to Powerful Paintings

Don’t miss my ARTICLE in the 6th issue of Art of Watercolour magazine; now in news stands.

Click on magazine above to order your copy or to subscribe.

I have just finished reading your book and I must tell you that I find it truly inspirational. Your approach to watercolour and your philosophy is the best I have read and I will use it as my guide for many years to come. Thank you. Alsoya

Learn how to go beyond watercolor techniques to illustrate the elusive side of painting.

Order Your Copy Now

FREE DEMO at 1:30 pm and RECEPTION at 12:30 pm: SUNDAY April 15th, 2012

RECEPTION is 12:30

When you purchase items on my website from NOW until the END of MARCH. You will automatically receive a 10% discount on all orders.

(excludes book orders as we do not handle book transactions)