2 Day Plein Air Watercolour Workshop with Alvaro Castagnet
Saturday 22nd - Sunday 23rd May 2027 - Bristol, UK
Join internationally acclaimed watercolour master Alvaro Castagnet for an inspiring and intensive two-days workshop dedicated to expressive watercolour painting.
Known for his dynamic demonstrations and passionate teaching style, Alvaro will guide participants through his renowned Four Pillars of Watercolour - Colour, Values, Shapes, and Edges - revealing how to simplify complex scenes and create paintings filled with atmosphere, emotion, and impact.
Throughout the workshop, Alvaro will complete several demonstrations and provide individual guidance, helping each participant strengthen composition, develop confidence with the medium, and discover a more personal and expressive approach to painting.
Whether you are an experienced watercolorist or an enthusiastic painter looking to take your work to the next level, this workshop promises three days of inspiration, practical learning, and creative energy.
Come prepared to work hard, paint boldly, and rediscover the joy of watercolour
The 2 day course will take place in the historic dock city of Bristol, 10am to 4pm each day
Bristol offers a wonderfully varied range of subject matter for artists. From the Georgian elegance of Clifton, home to the world-famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, to the vibrant historic harbourside, there is plenty to inspire you. The historic docks combine fascinating industrial architecture with modern developments, alongside a great selection of independent bars, cafés and restaurants. The Old City offers even more character, with areas dating back to the 1600s.
There is a wide range of hotels, bed and breakfasts and guesthouses to suit all budgets, and we recommend booking accommodation in a central location for ease of access to the course and the city’s many attractions.
Bristol is renowned as a vibrant, creative city with a thriving independent music, arts and festival culture. For more information about Bristol, see here.
If the weather isn’t suitable for painting outdoors, we have a large, light-filled venue reserved where we can hold the workshop, so the course can continue whatever the weather.
Getting to Bristol
Bristol is a well-connected city, with the M4 providing easy access from London and the M5 connecting Bristol with the Midlands and the South West. Bristol Temple Meads railway station is approximately 1.5 hours from London by train. The city is also well served by Bristol Airport, which is around 20 minutes from the city centre. For more information about Bristol Airport, visit the website.
Registration and Materials
Once you have registered, we will send you details of how to make payment. Your place on the course will only be secured once payment has been received.
We will also provide you with a comprehensive materials list covering everything you will need for the weekend, so you can arrive fully prepared.
To make communication easy throughout the weekend, we will set up a WhatsApp group for everyone attending. This will provide an easy way to share information and connect with your fellow artists before and during the course.
Course Price
The early bird price is £400 for the first 10 artists. Places are limited to 20 artists, allowing us to keep the group small and ensure everyone gets the most from the experience.
To register for the Alvaro workshop, please fill in the form below.
Artists’ Workshop – Terms & Conditions
By booking a place on the workshop, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to the following Terms & Conditions.
1. Booking and Payment Places on the workshop are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Your place is only confirmed once payment has been received in full. Details of how to make payment will be provided following registration. The workshop organisers reserve the right to decline or cancel a booking where necessary.
2. Cancellation by the Participant If you need to cancel your place, please notify us as soon as possible in writing.
More than 1 month before the course: A full refund will be offered, subject to any non-refundable payment processing or other costs already incurred in connection with the booking.
Between 1 month and 2 weeks before the course: A refund may be offered, less any costs already incurred by the organisers in connection with your booking and the workshop.
Within 2 weeks of the course: Cancellation will incur the full course fee, and no refund will be offered.
Where a participant is unable to attend, they may contact us to discuss transferring their place to another person. Any transfer must be agreed with the organisers in advance and the replacement participant must meet any relevant workshop requirements.
3. Cancellation or Changes by the Organisers We reserve the right to cancel, postpone or make reasonable changes to the workshop where circumstances beyond our control make this necessary. If we cancel the workshop, participants will be offered a full refund of the course fee paid to us. We cannot accept responsibility for any additional costs incurred by participants as a result of a cancellation or change to the workshop, including travel, accommodation, meals or other personal expenses. We strongly recommend that participants consider appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements and, where appropriate, obtain travel insurance that provides suitable cancellation cover.
4. Travel and Accommodation Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel and accommodation.Travel and accommodation costs cannot be refunded by the workshop organisers in the event of either participant cancellation or cancellation of the workshop. We recommend that participants choose accommodation with a flexible cancellation policy and consider appropriate travel insurance.
5. Weather and Outdoor Painting Where the workshop includes painting or other activities in public or outdoor spaces, these activities may be affected by weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control. If weather conditions are unsuitable for outdoor painting, the workshop may be moved to the alternative indoor venue arranged by the organisers. No refund will be offered solely because outdoor activities are changed or moved indoors due to weather or other reasonable safety considerations.
6. Personal Belongings and Materials Participants are responsible for their own personal belongings, art materials and equipment throughout the workshop. The organisers and venue accept no responsibility for loss, theft or damage to personal belongings, art materials, artwork or equipment, except where such responsibility cannot legally be excluded. Participants are advised not to leave valuable belongings unattended and to ensure that any personal insurance they require is in place.
7. Personal Injury and Safety Participants take part in outdoor painting and other workshop activities at their own risk and are expected to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others. The workshop may involve working in public spaces, including streets, pavements, parks, harbourside areas and other outdoor locations. Participants are responsible for following reasonable instructions given by the workshop tutors and organisers and for taking appropriate care when working in these environments. The organisers accept no responsibility for personal injury, loss or damage arising from participation in activities in public spaces, except where liability cannot legally be excluded or results from the organisers’ negligence or other liability that cannot legally be limited. The workshop venue has appropriate insurance in place for the event.
8. Art Materials Participants are responsible for bringing the materials and equipment specified on the course materials list unless otherwise stated. The organisers cannot accept responsibility for damage to or loss of participants’ materials, equipment or artwork. Participants should take reasonable care when using art materials and equipment and follow any safety guidance provided by the tutors or venue.
9. Conduct We want the workshop to be an enjoyable, supportive and respectful experience for everyone. Participants are expected to behave appropriately towards tutors, organisers, venue staff and fellow artists. The organisers reserve the right to ask a participant to leave the workshop if their behaviour is considered disruptive, abusive, threatening or otherwise inappropriate. No refund will normally be offered where a participant is asked to leave due to inappropriate behaviour.
10. Photography and Promotion The organisers may take photographs or videos during the workshop for promotional purposes. We will endeavour to avoid using identifiable images of participants without their permission. If you do not wish to appear in photographs or promotional material, please let the organisers know at the time of booking or speak to a member of the team at the workshop.
11. Liability Nothing in these Terms & Conditions is intended to exclude or limit any liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited under applicable law. Subject to the above, participants acknowledge that attendance at an artists’ workshop, particularly activities undertaken outdoors and in public spaces, involves certain inherent risks, and participants are responsible for taking reasonable care of themselves, their belongings and their equipment.
12. Acceptance of Terms By completing your booking and making payment, you confirm that you have read and accepted these Terms & Conditions. If you have any questions about these Terms & Conditions before booking, please contact the workshop organisers.