INTERIORS AT PUY VIDAL
with Carlos San Millán
A painting workshop for those seeking a bold new approach
July 6 - 12, 2024
INTERIORS AT PUY VIDAL
Single occupancy 3,750 €
Journey to the heart of artistic inspiration at the 13th century Chateau de Puy Vidal. We invite you to join us for a transformative experience, "Interiors at the Chateau," an oil painting workshop led by the renowned Spanish artist, Carlos San Millán. Delve deep into the artist's ideas, his preferred subject - interiors, and his artistic philosophy.
Carlos San Millán and the Team at Puy Vidal will serve as your guides, nurturing your creative spirit and helping you refine your skills in a setting unlike any other. Dating back to 1267 AD this centuries-old Castle will be your haven for six unforgettable days of creativity and immersion.
Described as "transcending the boundaries between the figurative and the abstract and skillfully transforming the mundane into the extraordinary", Carlos' artistic draw lies in his unique ability to infuse everyday scenes with a captivating narrative, inviting viewers to see more than meets the eye.
Participants will have the opportunity to delve into his creative process, paint interior and exteriors from an abundance of dramatic scenes all around the Chateau, explore new techniques and push their craft. The length of this workshops will allow Carlos to expand on his methods including his opalescent color palette, soft brushwork and palette knife techniques, unique takes on contrast, underpainting, color theory, and composition, all key components that allow him to capture life in all of its subtleties.
Through his guidance, you'll learn to infuse your work with vibrancy, allowing you to push past the boundaries of mere representation. Experience the magic of his glowing interiors and the depth of his moody atmosphere in a venue like no other.
***Workshop Conducted in English
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL WORKSHOP
6 - NIGHT ALL-INCLUSIVE
INTIMATE CLASS SIZE
photo by ©Mónica Alberte
MEET THE ARTIST
Carlos San Millán’s work strikes a lucid balance between the figurative and the abstract. More than painting his surroundings, he affords each scene a subtle, lived-in narrative that takes viewers on a journey of discovery. Everyday interiors and objects are masterfully imbued with character, whilst landscapes seem to undo themselves just as they come to fruition. Millán’s approach is distinguished by a looseness and liveness, a practice attentively developed through study at the University of Basque Country School and his travels around Latin America. Soft brushwork, and an opalescent colour palette captures life in all its nuance; the way living quarters mesh with our memories and dreams, or how light ever-phases in and out of darkness. Each piece acts as reminder to take delight in the sensual, an appeal embodied through the becoming of form into content itself.
- Sarah Ryan, NewBlood Art
THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR YOU IF
YOU HAVE BASIC FOUNDATIONS IN DRAWING AND OIL PAINTING
YOU ARE SEEKING A FULLY IMMERSIVE WEEK OF FOCUSED PAINTING WITH LIKE-MINDED ARTISTS
YOU WISH TO LEARN CARLOS SAN MILLÁN'S UNIQUE APPROACH TO PAINTING
ARTIST STATEMENT
My paintings have a notorious autobiographical component: my subjects belong most of the time to my immediate environment and my nearest reality, largely due to my belief that it wouldn't be necessary going too far to find the 'universal' in everyday things. I would define my work as a continuous search, which sometimes becomes frustrating; I'm a little obsessed about reaching a definitive way to represent matter and light.
As direct influences on my work I can mention Antonio Lopez Garcia, Avigdor Arikha, Lucien Freud or Ewan Uglow among others, contemporary painters who have known how to see and represent the essence of things as few ones. I've been also influenced by abstract and conceptual painters as Rothko, Richter or Diebenkorn. Regarding the old masters I'll always remember the first time I saw the Velazquez's paintings at El Prado Museum in Madrid; I was absolutly amazed by his incredible apparent ease in capturing life in his portraits. - CSM
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SAMPLE DAY AT THE CHÂTEAU
8:30-9:30am
Breakfast in the Spode Room
10:00am – 1:00pm
Carlos' idea of painting - Lecture & Demo
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Lunch in Interior Courtyard
2:30pm – 5:00pm
Painting with Carlos - Art Studio
5:00pm – 7:00pm
Rest & Relaxation
7:00pm
Aperitif Hour
8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dinner in Renaissance Dining Room
9:30pm
Evenings at the Chateau
Cognac tasting, Bonfire night under the stars, Outdoor cinema
ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGES
Our all-inclusive packages at Chateau de Puy Vidal are curated to cover everything during your stay, from train pick-up and drop-off at our local train station to comfortable accommodations, all meals, snacks, beer and wine, areas for relaxation and downtime and much more.
TRAIN PICK UP | DROP OFF
On arrival day and departure day, a Chateau shuttle will meet you at the train station in Angouelme - an 18min drive from the Chateau. The train is the best way to travel to the Chateau from Paris- the total time is 2 hours.
CHÂTEAU EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
The Chateau's spirit comes alive after dinner. Join the group for bonfires under the stars, cognac tasting, and cinema screenings by candlelight.
DAY TRIP
Step away from your easel and experience the historic French Village of La Rochefoucuald - just 10 minutes from Puy Vidal.
This optional day trip is available for those who wish to experience a bit more of the region.
AUTHENTIC FRENCH
MEALS & WINE
Breakfast buffets each morning, with both continental and savory options. Light refreshing lunches. Aperitif hours with local cocktails and nibbles. Decadent dinners with flowing French wines.
ACCOMMODATIONS
A chateau bedroom and bathroom await you for your 6-night stay at Puy Vidal. These bedrooms are large enough to share so bring a fellow Artist or a Non-painting partner with you.
PAINTING CLASSES
A week of morning and afternoon painting classes, demos, lectures, and history. Discussions about painting and evenings with the Instructor. Ongoing feedback and review as well as an end-of-week group review.
Included in Your Stay
ART SUPPLIES AT THE CHATEAU
The Puy Vidal Art Studio is outfitted with a large variety of easels and lightweight tripods, palettes, carry bags, stools, still life trinkets for inspiration and much more. We will also provide you with supports (small size panels and oil-suitable paper blocks), solvents and mediums (Gamsol and Liquin by W&N) and aprons.*Please notice that Brushes & Oil Paints are not Included*
Carlos San Millán will provide a suggested supplies list as well.
*Optional Add-on: we can ship your art home at cost.
*Brushes & Oil Paints not Included*
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Lady of the Chateau workshops and retreats are organized and run by Julia and her partner Caroline, along with Julia's sister Penelope. Maruca and Robert, who are retired and live at Château de Puy Vidal, partake in welcoming and hosting guests from around the world. The entire family lives at the Château host and helps create each workshop and retreat with great love and attention. Their goal in creating this place was to nurture an ideal environment to retreat from modern life and embrace a slower pace in the French countryside while meeting kindred spirits.
HOW TO JOIN THIS WORKSHOP
THE CHÂTEAU STAY
Single Occupancy 3,750 €
VAT INCLUDED
Chateau de Puy Vidal offers 6 historic private and or shared bedrooms for Retreat participants to stay at the Chateau full-time. Ranging from large and magnificent rooms fit for a king, to charming French countryside bedrooms, we have an experience for you. To see each bedroom visit our Chateau Bedrooms Page here.
For all Creative Retreats, bedroom assignments happen on a first-come, first-served basis.
Book early!
Non-painting partners are welcomed!
** Double Occupancy and Non-Painting Partners Rates available. All Pricing can be seen on the booking page.
THE FARMHOUSE STAY
Single Occupancy 3,050 €
VAT INCLUDED
We offer the complete workshop experience with overnight accommodations at the charming bed and breakfast north of Chateau de Puy Vidal. Our neighbors- a lovely French couple- live there, manage their farm, and run 3 lovely guest bedrooms.
Surrounded by the same beautiful scenery as the Chateau, you will wake to views of rolling hills, chirping birds, and endless skies. We will provide a daily shuttle to transport between this B&B and the Chateau, where all workshop instruction, meals, and activities will take place. It is also very walkable, a lovely 8-minute walk, and bicycles are provided if you prefer to bike back and forth. Morning & Evening shuttle available to the Chateau.
Non-painting partners are welcomed! Emails for us more information on rates for offsite non-paininting partner.
** Double Occupancy and Non-Painting Partners Rates available. All Pricing can be seen on the booking page.
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