INTERIORS
AT PUY VIDAL
with Carlos San Millán
July 6 - 12, 2024
2,750€ - 4,350€
All Taxes Included
INTERIORS AT PUY VIDAL | Carlos San Millan
Liberate yourself from detail, and plunge into the freedom of abstract expression under the guidance of a master artist. We invite you to join us for "Interiors at the Chateau," an oil painting workshop led by the renowned Spanish artist, Carlos San Millán. This week is designed to open up a whole new approach to your work. Delve deep with Carlos into his ideas about art, his bold and nuanced techniques, while painting his preferred subject - interiors.
Carlos San Millán and the Team at Puy Vidal will serve as your guides, nurturing your creative spirit and helping you expand 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 life in the magnificent surroundings of 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 your boundaries of representation. Experience the magic of his glowing interiors and the depth of atmospheres in a creative space like no other.
Workshop Conducted in English
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Carlos San Millán
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
photo by ©Alda con Limón
Bold, nuanced, extraordinary- these are the trademarks of a truly original eye and heart.
THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR YOU IF
YOU ARE SEEKING A FULLY IMMERSIVE WEEK OF FOCUSED PAINTING WITH LIKE-MINDED ARTISTS
YOU HAVE BASIC FOUNDATIONS IN DRAWING AND OIL PAINTING
YOU WISH TO LEARN CARLOS SAN MILLÁN'S UNIQUE APPROACH TO PAINTING
6 - NIGHT ALL-INCLUSIVE
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL WORKSHOP
INTIMATE CLASS SIZE
Dear Workshop participant,
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.
- Carlos San Millán
"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."
WHAT SETS HIM APART
Carlos San Millán, born in Spain in 1969. Since graduating from the University of Basque Country in Bilbao, he worked as an illustrator before becoming a professional painter. Carlos later attended Architecture School, followed by Art School, Institut D’Arts Visuels d’Orléans, France (ERASMUS).
It was here that he honed his drawing skills and developed a love for built spaces, which have become his usual painting subjects. He is known for his work that strikes a balance between the figurative and the abstract.
While being a highly sought after workshop instructor around the world, Carlos vehemently protects his studio time- working long and slowly to deepen and develop his incredible work.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
2008 - 1º Premio XXXVI Concurso Internacional de Pintura Alcalá de Guadaíra, Sevilla, Spain
2007 - Premio de adquisición III Certamen CCM de Pintura Ciudad de Toledo, Spain
2006 - 1º Premio II Certamen Nacional de Pintura Parque del Capricho. Madrid, Spain
A Sample Workshop Day
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
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 6
Arrival day
Welcome to the Chateau! Meet your hosts, settle into your Chambre, take a tour of the gardens and Chateau with your hosts.
Later join Carlos at a Champagne reception in the Art Studio, marking the official beginning to the workshop week!
Introduction
Carlos' idea of painting. Choice of subjects. Artistic philosophy. Brief description of Carlos' technique and materials. The photographic image is a starting point, not an end.
Demo
Types of bases (underpainting) depending on the subject, light, and color.
Coherence and unity of the painting from the beginning.
Painting
Artists paint a subject of their choosing with individualized supervision.
Technical talk
The different tools and their print or impression.
-Chance as an ally.
Demo
Work of the details: recovery of the drawing on a dry surface.
Centers of interest and visual path in the work.
Painting
Artists paint a subject of their choosing with individualized supervision.
Technical talk
Chance as an ally.
Demo
Clean color and finding nuance.
Painting
Artists paint a subject of their choosing with individualized supervision.
Technical talk
Restful dialogue with the work: discovering what it asks of us, or what is left over through the
partial observation.
Demo
Final stages: Detect concrete problems in the painting and resolution of the painting.
Painting
Artists paint a subject of their choosing with individualized supervision.
Final Painting
Artists finish up their paintings in the studio.
Wrap Up
Group review of the weeks work.
Carlos and your hosts will be on hand to help you make sure your paintings are
suitably labeled and packed ready for taking home, or left at the chateau to dry and shipped to you later on.
Final Celebration
Enjoy one final evening with your fellow artists under the starry night of the french countryside.
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Puy Vidal is a privately-owned Chateau owned by the Leach family. They moved to France to make this part of the countryside their family home and create an inspiring and magical place for people to gather. Julia, her partner Caroline, and her sister Penelope run the Lady of the Chateau business. Their parents, Maruca and Robert, have retired to the Chateau and deeply enjoy welcoming guests. The whole family live at the Chateau full time, and participate fully in hosting each retreat.
Ensuring that the magic is happening morning, noon, and night, they will join the group at dinner and welcome you to the evening entertainment. Their goal in creating this place was to nurture an ideal environment to retreat from modern life and meet kindred spirits.
ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGES
Our all-inclusive packages, lovingly curated, cover everything during your stay, from train pick-up to accommodations to day trips. Our goal in putting these together is to allow you to completely relax during your time here, delve into learning, and have the rest taken care of.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ACCOMMODATIONS
A private 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.
CHATEAU EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
The Chateau's spirit comes alive after dinner. Join the group for bonfires under the stars, mystery games, costume nights, and cinema screenings by candlelight.
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*
THE FARMHOUSE STAY
2,750 - 3,050€
We offer the complete workshop experience with overnight accommodations at our neighboring bed and breakfast north of Chateau de Puy Vidal. Our neighbors- a lovely French couple- live there, manage their farm, and run 2 lovely guest bedrooms. We partner with them to create a seamless experience for our guests.
Visit their site for more images.
Surrounded by the same beautiful scenery as the Chateau, you will wake to views of rolling hills, chirping birds, and endless skies. We will pick you up at the train station, help you check into your room, and provide a daily shuttle to and from this B&B to the Chateau everyday of the retreat. All workshop instruction, meals, and activities will take place at the Chateau. It is a 2 minute drive or a lovely 8-minute walk for those who prefer, and we also offer bicycles if you prefer to bike back and forth.
We welcome Non-Painting Partners- there is plenty to enjoy and explore at the Chateau and the surrounding areas, and they make a wonderful addition to the group for dinners, evening entertainment and our daytrip. Make sure to add the "Non-Painting Partner Add-On" to your package at checkout.
*Please inquire for pricing for two Artists who wish to share a room or suite.
“I speak from personal experience- this is a magical place you will never forget!
The hosts are fabulous, the atmosphere of the Chateau not only invites but insists that your creativity will be at its best, and living in a literal castle for even a few days…
come on now- this is the stuff Bucket Lists are made of!”
- Terry Stanley, Creative Retreat Participant, 2023
Accommodations
THE CHÂTEAU STAY
3,375 - 4,350 €
Chateau de Puy Vidal offers sumptuous historic bedrooms for Retreat participants to stay at the Chateau full-time. Ranging from large and magnificent rooms fit for a king, to romantic, sensual decor, to French country charm, we have an experience for you.
To see each bedroom visit our Chateau Bedrooms Page.
All participants in the workshop will experience complete art instruction, meals, leisure time, entertainment, and day trips. This package offers the additional experience of staying overnight at the Chateau.
We welcome Non-Painting Partners- there is plenty to enjoy and explore at the Chateau and the surrounding areas, and they make a wonderful addition to the group for dinners, evening entertainment and our daytrip. Make sure to add the "Non-Painting Partner Add-On" to your pacakge at checkout.
*Please inquire for pricing for two Artists who wish to share a room or suite.
Non-Painting Partners Welcome
Retreat alongside your artist companion at Puy Vidal
Indulge in a delightful retreat alongside your artist companion at Puy Vidal, where the château and its magnificient grounds are for your enjoyment & leisure.
Our exclusive Non-Painting Partner package ensures a memorable experience, covering everything that is included in your artist companion package minus the instruction. Delight your taste buds with 3 delectable meals a day, complemented by unlimited drinks and wine. Enjoy our snacks and tea/coffee bar open all day.
Evening Activities and Entertainment: Immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere with tailored evening activities and entertainment. Train Station Services: Pick-up and drop-off at the Angouleme Train Station Artistic Ambiance: Immerse yourself in the creative energy of the week with access to the studio, demos and lectures. We invite you to pick up a complementary sketch pad from the studio!
Join us for an unforgettable experience as you bask in the artistic charm of Puy Vidal while your companion hones their craft. We look forward to welcoming you to the Château!
+ 1,500€
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JOIN US
We very much hope you will join us on this full and balanced artistic experience.
If you have any questions as you book, please email as at admin@ladyofthechateau.com