Alvaro Castagnet




Alvaro Castagnet: Sharing a Passion for Red!
New Painting with Tips for creating your own Flamboyant Color!

DANIEL SMITH reds are just fantastic, luxurious, with great body, strong pigment, and excellent chromatic brilliancy and they don't overtake the mixture. I've found them inspiring, and so, I used them in "ROJO", the painting included here today.

We as artists are faced with a huge array of colors choices, in a state of rawness, so it requires a deep knowledge of how colors function in order to achieve stunning beauty when graying (breaking) down hues for the purpose of acquiring those marvelous subtle colors.

So, for instance, in "ROJO", I used a mixture of Pyrrol Red , and Mayan Orange. I "broke down" a red, to make it more vibrant, as I wanted the message in this painting to be "The Color". Passion and Color go hand in hand. Color can influence mood, suggest atmosphere, lift the spirits and enhance creativity. Color can be very powerful. It should not surprise you then that color has always been a major influence on my interpretation of subject matter.

To me, it is very important to paint with broken hues, coordinating them, throughout the painting with the up-most sense of familiarity and cohesion so then, your paintings will have a sense of harmony.

A harmonic palette, for any given painting, requires sensibility and talent in recognizing the hues that by the act of breaking them up we are able to conquer that kind of mood we are striving for.

It is important to know that there are colors that are sedimentary and colors that are opaque. To manipulate sedimentary colors, the best way to exploit them, is by first; have the right ratio water/pigment in the brush, paint at once, and make sure that the mixture is watery enough that by tilting the board, the wash runs downhill and the heavy component, or powder of the sedimentary color as the water travels across the paper, stays on the valleys of the textured paper and creates not only a sedimentary effect, but also, glowing and interesting at the same time.

Another per-requisite is not going over and over the wash, because then you "kill" the sedimentary effect. It is indispensable to leave the wash alone, without overlapping brushstrokes to avoid dull and flat washes.

I believe you should always buy the best possible art materials you can afford, as painting watercolors is hard enough, so, if you can have a bit of help by using good materials, then, why deny yourself?

ALVARO CASTAGNET is an internationally renowned master watercolorist. Recognized with top honors in major art competitions worldwide, he is a member of prestigious watercolor societies including AWS, AWI and ACUA, and an honorary member of OWS. He often contributes to international art publications and his latest book Painting with Passion—Beyond Technique is a bestseller. Alvaro travels the world demonstrating, lecturing, attending his exhibitions and judging art competitions. His paintings are found in many private and corporate collections.
Visit his website at: Alvaro Castagnet: Passion with Waterolours

     
DANIEL SMITH Alvaro Castagnet Set 10x5ml Tubes
145147
$150.00$135.0010% off
DANIEL SMITH Alvaro Castagnet Set 10x5ml Tubes

DANIEL SMITH Alvaro Castagnet Set 10x5ml Tubes

145147
$150.00$135.0010% off
  DANIEL SMITH is proud to release a Master Artist Set of the 10 Extra Fine Watercolors that world respected artist Alvaro Castagnet loves the...
260x360 Baohong Block Smooth Alvaro Castagnet 300gsm

260x360 Baohong Block Smooth Alvaro Castagnet 300gsm

151443
$64.95$58.4610% off
310x410 Baohong Block Medium (Cold Press)Alvaro Castagnet 300gsm

310x410 Baohong Block Medium (Cold Press)Alvaro Castagnet 300gsm

151447
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360x510 Baohong Block Rough Alvaro Castagnet 300gsm

360x510 Baohong Block Rough Alvaro Castagnet 300gsm

151451
$124.95$112.4510% off
Cadmium Yellow Deep DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144969
$41.75$35.4915% off
Cadmium Yellow Deep DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Cadmium Yellow Deep DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144969
$41.75$35.4915% off
Cadmium Yellow Deep Hue – A rich, warm yellow with a golden glow. We’ve done it! Safe, Vibrant Cadmium Hue Watercolours! Our new formulas provide...
Hansa Yellow Deep DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144812
$25.75$21.8915% off
Hansa Yellow Deep DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Hansa Yellow Deep DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144812
$25.75$21.8915% off
Kissed with a touch of orange, this is a pure chroma colour with high-tinting, semi-transparent organic pigments. Hansa Yellow Deep is considered the...
Pyrrol Orange DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144520
$35.15$29.8815% off
Pyrrol Orange DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Pyrrol Orange DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144520
$35.15$29.8815% off
This unforgettable semi-transparent orange is a smooth, saturated and pure addition to the watercolourist's palette. Capture the glory of a summer...
Cadmium Orange Hue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144984
$41.75$35.4915% off
Cadmium Orange Hue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Cadmium Orange Hue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144984
$41.75$35.4915% off
Cadmium Orange Hue – A deep, radiant orange that leans slightly towards red. We’ve done it! Safe, Vibrant Cadmium Hue Watercolours! Our new...
Perinone Orange DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144612
$41.75$35.4915% off
Perinone Orange DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Perinone Orange DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144612
$41.75$35.4915% off
Perinone Orange, with its vast range from vivid intensity to pale, transparent fleshy washes, is a clear, clean vat pigment. From carrots to soft...
Mayan Orange DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144679
$41.75$35.4915% off
Mayan Orange DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Mayan Orange DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144679
$41.75$35.4915% off
Mayan Orange is hot and intense. Use it straight from the tube for a blazing red-orange. As you add water, the colour remains strong and disperses...
Organic Vermilion DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144625
$35.15$29.8815% off
Organic Vermilion DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Organic Vermilion DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144625
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This semi-transparent low-staining deep orange is sometimes called Scarlet Lake or Rose Carthame. Oranges can be very difficult to work with, but...
Perylene Scarlet DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144568
$41.75$35.4915% off
Perylene Scarlet DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Perylene Scarlet DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144568
$41.75$35.4915% off
Perylene Scarlet is medium staining and semi-transparent. It creates vivid, dark washes with a clean brilliant orange hue. This sedimentary pigment...
Pyrrol Red DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144517
$41.75$35.4915% off
Pyrrol Red DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Pyrrol Red DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144517
$41.75$35.4915% off
This fire engine red is cleaner than Cadmium or Permanent Red. It is a modern synthetic-organic pigment. While close in value to its cousins the...
Permanent Alizarin Crimson DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Permanent Alizarin Crimson DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

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Permanent Alizarin Crimson, developed with our customers, blends pigments to produce an exceptionally lightfast red with true Alizarin Crimson...
Cobalt Blue Violet DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144914
$41.75$35.4915% off
Cobalt Blue Violet DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Cobalt Blue Violet DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144914
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A brilliant purple with remarkable blue undertones and a granulating texture. Try mixing this bold colour with Prussian Green for surprisingly soft...
Verditer Blue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144339
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Verditer Blue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Verditer Blue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144339
$35.15$29.8815% off
A true blue. A blue's blue. Verditer Blue is an historical pigment with a place on every palette. Begin with a dark application, a deep azure lake,...
Cobalt Blue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144922
$41.75$35.4915% off
Cobalt Blue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Cobalt Blue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144922
$41.75$35.4915% off
This neutral, non-staining primary blue will subtly modify most pigments. Considered a "mixing pigment", its transparent nature can cast a giant...
French Ultramarine DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144839
$35.15$29.8815% off
French Ultramarine DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

French Ultramarine DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144839
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This medium-to-dark warm reddish-blue is highly lightfast and of medium tinting strength. Its sedimentary quality increases its versatility. Mixed...
Cerulean Blue, Chromium DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Cerulean Blue, Chromium DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

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Best when mixed with a transparent pigment, this sky blue inorganic pigment is granular and medium-light in value. Highly permanent and extremely...
Cerulean Blue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144952
$41.75$35.4915% off
Cerulean Blue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Cerulean Blue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144952
$41.75$35.4915% off
A superb mixing colour. Think of it as a cleaner, brighter and slightly warmer alternative to the Cerulean Blue Chromium we've always sold. A bit...
Cobalt Teal Blue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144901
$35.15$29.8815% off
Cobalt Teal Blue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Cobalt Teal Blue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144901
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Extraordinarily beautiful colour for painting turquoise blue skies, a must have for sunny Mediterranean skies and Tropical seas! Mixing with this...
Lunar Blue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144706
$35.15$29.8815% off
Lunar Blue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Lunar Blue DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144706
$35.15$29.8815% off
The fabric of the night sky glides off the brush in this heavenly new shade. Granulating lunar black floats above a phthalo undertone, perfect for...
Viridian DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144333
$35.15$29.8815% off
Viridian DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Viridian DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144333
$35.15$29.8815% off
Seldom used at full tube strength, this transparent non-staining pigment is an excellent glazing pigment and a portrait painter's essential. It's a...
Burgundy Yellow Ochre DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
145022
$35.15$29.8815% off
Burgundy Yellow Ochre DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Burgundy Yellow Ochre DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

145022
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A warm, glowing earth colour, surprisingly smooth in washes. In a light wash, the yellow is very clean, as sunny and subtle as morning light in a...
Mars Yellow DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144687
$25.75$21.8915% off
Mars Yellow DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Mars Yellow DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

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$25.75$21.8915% off
To avoid instant mud in your watercolours, select lightfast Mars Yellow. This semi-transparent brownish yellow is low-staining, an ideal substitute...
Quinacridone Burnt Orange DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Quinacridone Burnt Orange DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

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Add to French Ultramarine sky washes to gray the blue mix and render a full value scale. Use Quinacridone Burnt Orange to modify Sap Green in...
Quinacridone Sienna DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
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Quinacridone Sienna DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Quinacridone Sienna DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

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The ultimate low-staining glazing pigment, certainly finer than any Burnt Sienna. For the traditional and purist watercolour painter, Quinacridone...
Deep Scarlet DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
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$25.75$21.8915% off
Deep Scarlet DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Deep Scarlet DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144874
$25.75$21.8915% off
At long last there exists a deep reddish-brown that reacts wonderfully to salt! These pigment qualities produce natural texture and invite applied...
Burnt Sienna DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
145019
$25.75$21.8915% off
Burnt Sienna DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Burnt Sienna DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

145019
$25.75$21.8915% off
This transparent to semi-transparent earth pigment, a greyed orange, combines with other hues without a loss of intensity or transparency. Subsequent...
Burnt Sienna Light DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
145013
$25.75$21.8915% off
Burnt Sienna Light DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Burnt Sienna Light DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

145013
$25.75$21.8915% off
A beautiful earthy colour, DANIEL SMITH Burnt Sienna Light is redder than our Burnt Sienna, more transparent and slightly less granulating. In very...
Transparent Red Oxide DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144374
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Transparent Red Oxide DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Transparent Red Oxide DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144374
$25.75$21.8915% off
A highly transparent burnt orange loves to mingle with the lamp black, settling in beneath it, mixing with it to create tones of cinnamon and...
Alvaros Fresco Grey DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
149958
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Alvaros Fresco Grey DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Alvaros Fresco Grey DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

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DANIEL SMITH is so excited to have been working with Master Artist Alvaro Castagnet on the creation of two DANIEL SMITH Watercolours which capture...
Alvaros Caliente Grey DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
149959
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Alvaros Caliente Grey DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Alvaros Caliente Grey DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

149959
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DANIEL SMITH is so excited to have been working with Master Artist Alvaro Castagnet on the creation of two DANIEL SMITH Watercolours which capture...
Chinese White DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml
144941
$25.75$21.8915% off
Chinese White DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

Chinese White DANIEL SMITH Awc 15ml

144941
$25.75$21.8915% off
Forbidden by purists, Chinese White is much more than a repair patch. This semi-opaque pure white offers excellent permanency and a medium-high...
Titanium White DANIEL SMITH AWC 15ml
144394
$25.75$21.8915% off
Titanium White DANIEL SMITH AWC 15ml

Titanium White DANIEL SMITH AWC 15ml

144394
$25.75$21.8915% off
Create pastel shades with a creamy, semi-opaque finish by mixing Titanium White with your favourite watercolour pigments. Although not opaque enough...
Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 10/0
130870
$41.35$33.0820% off
Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 10/0

Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 10/0

130870
$41.35$33.0820% off
"My mop-shaped brushes are inspired by the original French Mop Brush but have longer handles and more hair. The length of the handles is important:...
Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 5/0
130865
$45.95$36.7620% off
Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 5/0

Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 5/0

130865
$45.95$36.7620% off
"My mop-shaped brushes are inspired by the original French Mop Brush but have longer handles and more hair. The length of the handles is important:...
Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 3/0
130867
$47.95$38.3620% off
Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 3/0

Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 3/0

130867
$47.95$38.3620% off
"My mop-shaped brushes are inspired by the original French Mop Brush but have longer handles and more hair. The length of the handles is important:...
Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 00
130868
$55.90$44.7220% off
Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 00

Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 00

130868
$55.90$44.7220% off
"My mop-shaped brushes are inspired by the original French Mop Brush but have longer handles and more hair. The length of the handles is important:...
Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 0
130872
$62.90$50.3220% off
Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 0

Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 0

130872
$62.90$50.3220% off
"My mop-shaped brushes are inspired by the original French Mop Brush but have longer handles and more hair. The length of the handles is important:...
Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 2
130869
$74.80$59.8420% off
Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 2

Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 2

130869
$74.80$59.8420% off
"My mop-shaped brushes are inspired by the original French Mop Brush but have longer handles and more hair. The length of the handles is important:...
Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 4
130866
$119.35$95.4820% off
Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 4

Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 4

130866
$119.35$95.4820% off
"My mop-shaped brushes are inspired by the original French Mop Brush but have longer handles and more hair. The length of the handles is important:...
Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 10
130871
$269.05$215.2420% off
Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 10

Alvaro Squirrel Mop Brush Size 10

130871
$269.05$215.2420% off
"My mop-shaped brushes are inspired by the original French Mop Brush but have longer handles and more hair. The length of the handles is important:...
4400 Alvaro Castagnet Needle Point Size 8
130168
$45.55$36.4420% off
4400 Alvaro Castagnet Needle Point Size 8

4400 Alvaro Castagnet Needle Point Size 8

130168
$45.55$36.4420% off
Alvaro Castagnet Flat Wash Brush 1 1/2"
130080
$144.05$122.4415% off
Alvaro Castagnet Flat Wash Brush 1 1/2"

Alvaro Castagnet Flat Wash Brush 1 1/2"

130080
$144.05$122.4415% off
As used and recommended by Alvaro Castagnet Squirrel Taklon mix
Alvaro Castagnet Flat Wash Brush 2"
130079
$184.95$157.2115% off
Alvaro Castagnet Flat Wash Brush 2"

Alvaro Castagnet Flat Wash Brush 2"

130079
$184.95$157.2115% off
As used and recommended by Alvaro Castagnet Squirrel Taklon mix
The Passionate Painter in Havana - Part 2
132597
$54.95$32.9740% off
The Passionate Painter in Havana - Part 2

The Passionate Painter in Havana - Part 2

132597
$54.95$32.9740% off
Artist: Alvaro Castagnet Language: English 93 mins Format: PAL DVD Enjoy all the colour and excitement as Alvaro paints the flamboyant...
The Passionate Painter in Havana - Part 1
132596
$54.95$43.9620% off
The Passionate Painter in Havana - Part 1

The Passionate Painter in Havana - Part 1

132596
$54.95$43.9620% off
Alvaro’s passion for watercolour is matched here by the vibrancy and colours of Havana. We follow Alvaro as he discovers and paints the broad...
The Passionate Painter in Antwerp by Alvaro Castagnet
The Passionate Painter in Antwerp by Alvaro Castagnet

The Passionate Painter in Antwerp by Alvaro Castagnet

132635
$54.95$43.9620% off
The Passionate Painter in Antwerp Artist: Alvaro Castagnet Language: English 90 mins Format: PAL DVD Alvaro Castagnet is a highly respected...
The Passionate Painter in the North of England by Alvaro

The Passionate Painter in the North of England by Alvaro

132634
$54.95$43.9620% off
The Passionate Painter in the North of England Artist: Alvaro Castagnet Language: English 90 mins Format: PAL DVD Alvaro is one of the world’s most...
The Passionate Painter in Paris by Alvaro Castagnet
The Passionate Painter in Paris by Alvaro Castagnet

The Passionate Painter in Paris by Alvaro Castagnet

132595
$54.95$43.9620% off
The Passionate Painter in Paris Artist: Alvaro Castagnet Language: English 90 mins Format: PAL DVD Alvaro is one of the world’s most respected...
Inspired Watercolour Dvd by Alvaro Castagnet

Inspired Watercolour Dvd by Alvaro Castagnet

132669
$54.95$43.9620% off
Inspired Watercolour Artist: Alvaro Castagnet Language: English 90 mins Format: PAL DVD Alvaro Castagnet is an inspirational and expressive...