Testimonials

“I am only just—just—beginning to come down to earth after my wonderful holiday in South America, and what a wonderful time you gave us. No wonder so many of your students come back time and again for another painting holiday. I really hope I can join you again somewhere for another exciting adventure. I am having fun, following all your advises…”  Cilla Campbell

“We really enjoyed Alvaro’s visit. He has a great personality and outstanding talent. Some of his ideas will always be with us along with the many humorous things. He really inspired us to push past our safe comfort zone and take risks.”  Nancy Newman, CA

“This is just a note of thanks. Since seeing your work and having purchased your book, several years ago, I have been greatly inspired to re-evaluate my own work. I see things differently now and have been refreshed. I greatly appreciate your work and I truly believe that you are one of the greats. Thanks again for your accidental influence on my life and work.  Ian Ramsay

“I just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful workshop at the Hudson River Valley Art Workshops. I have always had an affinity to watercolour and have wanted to make it my primary focus in my art. 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 & life, and generosity of sharing your knowledge is so very much appreciated. So thank you, thank you, thank you for an unforgettable week and I look forward to working with you again.”  Deborah O’Sullivan

“The painting course was just great. I enjoyed it very much. As a person, you are full of fun and humor and I admired how cool you handled the delay of your (important)suitcase. 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 watercoloring in a different way. The contrast can be extreme, the colors do not always have to be transparent, there should be drama(!)and really anything is allowed, though used in an artistic manner. And yes, figures often make a painting more interesting.

I want to thank you for your effort to teach us to look at the medium and its possibilities in a different matter. And of course for your incredible open way of sharing with us. I am practicing to combine your way with my own feelings, which is not always easy, but fun, yes?”  Willemine

“On behalf of the Toronto Watercolour Society, I would like to thank you for coming to Toronto, giving a great demonstration of a Street Scene to the rest of the membership, last Wednesday evening. It was impressive to watch you paint and explain how you would progress as you went along. Your strong colourful style and interpretation of lights and dark brought such depth and feeling into the painting. Thank you for taking the time in your busy schedule to be with us and share your expertise. Seeing your wonderful paintings was an inspiration to us all. It was a most enjoyable and informative evening.”  Sue Nelson  Assistant to Terri Flaser, Programmes

“Alvaro made such a difference in my work. I shall be forever grateful.”   Chuck VH

“You make beautiful classical style paintings with such ease! I can not believe what I see when watching!”  Ted F

“I attended a watercolor workshop in Columbus, Ohio by Alvaro Castagnet. He is a fantastic artist, and quite a character. Alvaro believes the primary goal of an artist is to interpret the world around him. He paints with subdued, or grayed, hues, with some bright color as accents. He uses squirrel mops almost exclusively. Using the mop brushes, and concentrating on soft and dry brush strokes and deep darks, I finally painted loose paintings, and paintings of city scenes – both of which I have been working to accomplish. I was exhausted by the end of the week. It will be exciting to work to incorporate Alvaro’s approaches into my own paintings during the coming months.”  Jim O

“I feel the energy and encouragement you portray in the workshops are a great lesson to us all. Thank you again; I look forward to seeing more of your paintings.”  Karen P

“Your philosophy on art and what it means to be a painter spoke to my heart and artistically, it changed my life! I had a great time and learned a tremendous amount. I’m getting on the art superhighway no matter what the obstacle. I plan to exploit the medium and apply only glorious brush strokes from here on.”  Mick McA

“Thanks to you, I’m enjoying watercolor painting more and I’m feeling I’m a step farther. I loved the way you were painting, the spontaneity and simplicity of movements of your strokes with your brushes. You are a great teacher, and you gave us a lot of information but most of all we all we could see that you were painting with your heart and with a lot of pleasure.”  Rita B

“Thank you for your generous teaching and demos in Maine. I learned so much! Since Maine, I have painted 3 new paintings, entered them in area art shows, and all three have won awards!”  Barbara D

“Just a note to thank you for the wonderful inspiration and painting tips at the workshop.”  Karen W

“I enjoyed my time with you on the Costa Blanca. I’ve had time to absorb the lessons and my painting has undoubtedly improved!”  David G