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January Newsletter

What The New Year Brings

In this Newsletter

  • Learn from the masters in 2013
  • Nicholas Simmons in Barcelona
  • News on Nicholas Simmons
  • Things that keep us busy
  • Get the taste! Watercolor composition
  • Aquarellades 2013 in Mons, Belgium

Learn From The Masters in 2013

  • Fábio Cembranelli: 24 – 31 May, Cadaqués
  • Nicholas Simmons:  1 – 7 September, Barcelona
  • Alvaro Castagnet:  15 – 21 September, Girona
  • David Taylor: 14 – 20 October, Cadaqués

Nicholas Simmons in Barcelona, 1 – 7 Sept. 2013

Nicholas Simmons is joining us in a course in one of the greatest art-capitals of the whole world! Nick works large-scale and reveals how to turn the challenges unique to water media into textural advantages. He incorporates blooms, crawl-backs, bleeding and puddling, and demonstrates methods for integrating masked areas with wet-in-wet painting. He mixes watercolor with fluid acrylic, encourages the paper to buckle, and boldly wields a spray bottle to achieve textural effects.

Nick likes to use also creative photography for obtaining unconventional reference shots.His friendly easy-going personality will help you enjoy a relaxed good-humoured companionship with the other fellow artists and make the most of your own creativity.

In Barcelona city you can see the fascinating architecture of Gaudí. One of his famous and eccentric buildings is the Palau Güell; in front of this building you will find the Hotel Gaudí, a modern 3-star hotel offering every comfort only 100 meters from the Rambla.

The Hotel Gaudí offers elegant rooms in a modern style with an exclusive view of the Palau Güell and -in upper floors- of the port, Montjuic and the old city. This is our painting venue and also a possible place to stay a during this painting holiday. Other Gaudí buildings you will be able to visit are the Sagrada Família,  The Casa Batlló, La Pedrera and the Parc Güell. Click on this link to visit the course page!

View from Parc Güell by Gaudí to the sea, at the end of the Rambla.

 Course Specifics

– What?

5 days of tuition by master Nicholas Simmons in a painting venue in downtown Barcelona and a nice welcome and farewell dinner at authentic Catalan restaurants, with quality food and wine.

– When?

1 – 7 September 2013

– Painting venue:

Hotel Gaudí in Barcelona. It’s very close to the Ramblas and the Plaça Catalunya, the heart of Barcelona.

– Where to stay?

Hotel Gaudí reserved some rooms for us with a group discount for our course. Don’t wait too long to reserve them because there’s a limited number only!

There is, of course, a wide range of hotels for each and every taste. Try www.booking.com or www.airbnb.com for good and affordable hotels or apartments in downtown Barcelona!

– How to get there?

It’s very easy to get to the city centre from both the airport and the railway stations. There are shuttle buses (Airbus) coming and going from and to Plaça Catalunya every 5 minutes from Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of the Barcelona Airport. It takes 30 minutes and costst less than €6! Plaça Catalunya is only a ten- minutes walk to the Hotel Gaudí. You will also find affordable cabs everywhere you look, if you’re not fond of walking. From Plaça Catalunya it’s only a 5 minute drive to the hotel.

The one-street walk from Placa Catalunya to Hotel Gaudí

– Price: €990

News on Nicholas Simmons

Nicholas Simmons travelled to Shanghai last year for the second time to judge for the Shanghai Zhujiajiao Biennial and for the Opening of the Biennial last November. Many of the big names in watercolours joined him at one of the greatest watercolour-meetings in the world in which EPC-tutors were highly represented. Alvaro Castagnet was also part of the 2012 judges committee, while tutors who joined us in 2012 like Joseph Zbukvic and Charles Reid won international awards.

 

Nicholas Simmons at the Shanghai Zhujiajiao Biennial

 

Click to read an interview with Nicholas Simmons on Konstantin Sterkhov’s blog! 

Nicholas is an internationally well-recognized judge and an even better recognised (and award winning) painter. Take a look at this small excerpt of Nick’s Blog (and this is only 2012!!!):

                       “This year started off with a bang exhibiting here at Strathmore Mansion, and I’ll be showing new work in Shanghai, Narbonne (Fr), Estaimbourg (Bel), and more biennials with NAWA (first in Colombia). I return to China to judge the Shanghai Zhujiajiao International Watercolour Biennial again, the biggest and best watercolor exhibition in the world. I’ll be in Nanjing, China in October for the opening of the 3rd  Invitational Exhibition of Contemporary International Watermedia Masters. I’m also judging the San Diego Watercolor Society annual, a major international show; the Florida Watercolor Society annual, another major; and the Utah Watercolor Society and Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society annuals. Each of those includes a workshop, demos/lectures, and in the FWS convention, I’ll be playing a concert. In addition, I’m the senior judge again for the PTA Reflections program art competition, with 166,000 entries, the largest art contest in the country.”

Do you want to read some more about Nicholas’ latest activities and news? Click to visit his personal blog, it’s crazy!

Get The Taste!

If you really want to get a taste of Nicholas Simmons watermedia works, you should check out this video on Youtube! Just Click on the image to get there. It’s a composition called “Prime Meridian” with different close-ups from Nick’s work.What makes it extra-special is the fact he did not only make the paintings and composition, but even made and played the music himself! Well, that really is an artist in the true sense of the word, huh? We love this kind of multi-talent. We hope you enjoy it as well!

Photo Album of Nick in Barcelona With EPC

“Western Child”by Liu Yun Sheng

Other Beautiful Things That Keep Us Busy…

Angela was recently invited to join the International Watercolor Society Committee. It surely was a great honor to judge in such an international panel side-to-side with great professional artistst, teachers and lecturers, illustrators etc. from Australia, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, USA, Russia, United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Iran, Colombia, Greece, Belgium, Uruguay, Sounth-Africa, Canada and Turkey.This kind of contests and meetings allow us to get to know the work of great artists from all over the world. What’s even more important to us is the creation of a network where people can learn from eachother, get inspired and create friendship through art. This is the thing EPC cares the most about, that is why EPC exists! Celebrating and creating art in an international environment: that means the world to us. Congratulations to Liu Yun Sheng from China who won a well-deserved first prize with this outstanding and amazingly detailed “Western Child”.

Click to visit the International Watercolor Society Facebook page!

What they said

 

A challenging yet stimulating experience. A great workshop, an excellent teacher in a great location all by the courtesy and help of EPC. Thank you! I think I will be a much better painter from now on, it was life changing for me! If you like watercolours you will have loved this. Magnifico! I would reccomend EPC because I think you provide a learning environment that combines art with enjoyment.

– Dave Betty (United Kingdom)

Click to read other testimonials on our website →

Aquarellades 2013 – Mons, Belgium

26 january – 10 february 2013

Mons will be hosting the second edition of the Aquarellades, where artist, art-buyers and other watercolour-related people and companies will meet.There will be held a big watercolour exhibition and free watercolor-demonstrations every day! There’s also a never-ending list of workshops by great artists, click to see the list! Among the persons and business present:

  • – Fábio Cembranelli
  • – Alvaro Castagnet
  • – The Escoda brushes company
  • – Windsor & Newton
  • – Fabriano

And of course…

EPC Art Courses! 

We hope to meet you there and provide you from any information needed!

 

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Testimonials

    • Testimonial video by Larry

      —Larry Folding (USA)

    • We both have had the most amazing time
      We both have had the most amazing time, made some wonderful new friends and enjoyed every minute of it despite the weather. I feel so priveledged to have been able to watch Charles every day and have him look at my own offerings.

      —Jenny Hawke (UK)

    • Una organización “de 10”!
      Inmejorable, creo que he aprendido mucho. Ahora tengo que practicar y poner a funcionar todo lo que llevo dentro! Si volvería? De hecho ya es mi segunda vez. Y ya estoy recomendando EPC en mi entorno! La organización es “de 10”, por todo lo que ponen de su parte para que todo funcione bien. El profesor es muy atento, más teniendo en cuenta que no nos entendíamos!

      —Rosa Casado (Spain)

    • 1000% improvement
      Everything was good in the course. I appreciate the course very much but also the very good mind setting of all the other students. Special attention for the organisation: NO trouble for us means focus on the painting... AND IT WAS VERY GOOD! On Monday 24 I had "zero" knowledge of watercolour. At the end I had a 1000% improvement and happiness to be getting this feeling, many thanks for that! I’ll never forget! Joseph was telling so many jokes but he was also taking care of all and of course a really good professional in training after years of experience. Very friendly! Super to meet him! Thank you so much!

      —Patrick Arcidiacono (France)

    • …a perfect match!
      Comparing with some workshops in France, this place has a remarkable environment which is really inspiring. Some interesting sea views and boats which are just there are giving the right atmosphere. Joseph is quite unique as a teacher but even more as a person. Together with the organisation of Angela this worked out as a perfect match!

      —Jan van Loock (Belgium)

    • I found it challenging, stimulating and very enjoyable
      Anyway I would like to thank you and Elizabeth for providing such a wonderful experience in Girona, I really enjoyed it and I found it challenging, stimulating and very enjoyable. The locations were fantastic and I particularly enjoyed the coastal villages but Girona was equally enchanting. Mixing with people from different countries and cultures was also excellent. Alvaro is a very gifted artist and he creates such wonderful paintings but I think his methods caught a few of us out; many of us had never been faced with the approach he takes so I was found it hard and lost confidence in myself.

      —Dave Betty (UK)

    • A great step forward
      Everybody started on their own level and everybody could make a great step forward!    

      —Ahmet Ogras (Turkey)

    • I will come back next summer.
      I would and will come back next summer. You have a lovely organisation and a good heart. Thank you very much!

      —Katri Ylönen (Finland)

    • Finally I have learnt how to paint The Way I Always Dreamt Of
      What a fantastic painting course-the AMAZING SIGHTS of Catalonia “sing” from my sketchbooks. Thank you for making this possible and Charles for sharing the secrets.

      —Cheryl Williams (UK)

    • Joseph is such a tremendous teacher
      The class was exceptional, lovely people and a great group of Spanish folks. The locale was beautiful, great accommodations and food. I'm home two weeks and have not come down from the cloud yet, enjoyed the entire class. Joseph is such a tremendous teacher, I will be forever grateful to him for introducing me to MR. BEAD!

      —Jack Haran (USA)

    • Que volví con muchas ganas de pintar
      Pues la verdad es que volví con muchas ganas de pintar y de tratar de poner en práctica lo que había aprendido.
      The truth is I came back eager to paint and try to put into practice what they had learned.

      —Marta Camiña (Bilbao-España)

    • It was an amazing workshop, nice place, nice weather, very nice people
      It was an amazing workshop, nice place, nice weather, very nice people and Joseph; he is a great teacher and friend. Thank you for making such a wonderful and unforgettable time for me.

      —Benny Stigsson (Sweden)

    • Video testimonial by Dave Betty

      —Dave Betty (UK)

    • Maestro, SEI GRANDE! :)
      Thank you Alvaro for all that you have been sharing with us during last week. Your words won’t be forgotten and neither the wonderful experience I had. Maestro, SEI GRANDE! :)

      —Marissa Gabetta (Italy)

    • I enjoyed very much all the outdoor painting
      Thanks for a great course with Mr. Bead Joseph. I enjoyed seeing a part of Spain I hadn't seen before and meeting the other artists. I enjoyed very much all the outdoor painting even though it was a bit of a challenge being with such experienced painters.

      —Maureen Goette (South Africa)

    • It was an unforgettable time
      Mi alma esta en Girona hasta ahora, paseando por las callas estrechas,mirando a las casas viejas y bonitas, deseando pintar. Pero todo tiene su final…..que lástima… How I am missing all of you! It was unforgettable time. Thanks to everybody for wonderful company. Tenía suerte de conocer a gente como ustedes.Ojalá que nos encontremos otra vez…….It is cold in Russia now, I would like to go back…

      —Galina Shapovalova (Russia)

    • Thanks for a wonderful week
      Thanks again for a wonderful week and for all your help and assistance which was much appreciated.

      —Charles Kelly (UK)

    • Testimonial by Tatjana and Galina (Russian and English)

      —Tatjana and Galina (Russia)

    • JZ is an amazing revelation with his clarity of thought and vision and of course a fantastic painter
      JZ is an amazing revelation with his clarity of thought and vision and of course a fantastic painter. What he states is often “blindingly obvious”, but why didn´t I think of it I ask myself!

      —Peter Robson (UK)

    • One of the most enjoyable art experiences I’ve had
      I also would like to thank you and ‘Vincent’ for making my painting holiday with Charles Reid in Girona one of the most enjoyable art experiences I’ve had and hopefully I can join you again sometime.

      —Michele Hermes-Kass (Australia)

    • It was without doubt, my best course ever!
      Just to thank you and to let you know that I had a great time and it was without doubt, my best course ever!

      —Peter Robson (UK)

    • I’ll fondly remember this joyful evening and delicious feast again and again
      I’d like to thank you for your excellent flexible organisation and above all, your kind personal care. You helped me in every way from the beginning to the end. My last evening in Girona was unforgettable. I’ll fondly remember this joyful evening and delicious feast again and again.

      —Setsuko Ohara (Kuwait)

    • I achieved what I set out to achieve in watercolour painting
      Thank you for a wonderfully successful and happy course. You worked extremely hard to achieve so much in difficult conditions what with the adverse weather and the volcano ash. I achieved what I set out to achieve in watercolour painting, and Tim enjoyed it far more than he had anticipated. You had gathered an interesting group of people from all round the world for us to chat to in free times.

      —Hilary Goodwin (UK)

    • To my dreamy mind I thought I was in a PICASSO workshop witnessing passion, mood and brilliance of a painter
      A BIG THANK YOU is in order for yet another terrific workshop with our favourite watercolorist ALVARO… To my dreamy mind I thought I was in a PICASSO workshop witnessing passion, mood and brilliance of a painter.

      —Genevieve Buchanan (UK)

    • I always come away so motivated and a little more knowledgeble about watercolour
      Just a quick note to thank you for all your organisation skills for what I thought was an enjoyable workshop, and I loved meeting you and all the other painters I had lots of laughs and I painted sort of ok. I always come away so motivated and a little more knowledgeble about watercolour. I adored the Costa Brava coast.

      —Lea Burt (Australia)

    • Video Testimonial by Ahmet Ogras (Turkey)

      —Ahmet Ogras (Turkey)

    • De esta pasión que nos uneDe esta pasión que nos une
      Hola Angela, vuelvo a felicitarte por tu trabajo y por dar en todo momento lo mejor de ti. Ha sido un placer conocerte y espero que volvamos a encontrarnos en algun lugar común de esta pasión que nos une. Un beso.
      Hi Angela, I again congratulate you on your work and always give you the best of you. It was a pleasure meeting you and hope we meet again somewhere in this common passion that unites us. A kiss.

      —Lydia Cuevas (Spain)

    • Ojala pudiéramos estar siempre pintando por ahí!!!
      Angela, felicidades por tu organizacion del curso con Alvaro Castagnet, ha sido genial y he disfrutado mucho con todos vosotros. Ojala pudiéramos estar siempre pintando por ahí!!! Un abrazxo muy grande y felicidades de nuevo!
      Angela, congratulations on your organization with Alvaro Castagnet course has been great and I really enjoyed you all. I wish we could be always painting out there! A very large abrazxo and congratulations again!

      —Montse Albareda (Spain)

    • Video Testimonial by Ovidiu Iovanel (Romania)

      —Ovidiu Iovanel (Romania)

    • Video testimonial by Jose Luis and Carlos

      —Jose Luis y Carlos (España)

    • Video testimonial by Asuka

      —Asuka (Australia)

    • I learned a lotaprendí muchísimo
      I did not learn something - I learned a lot. Green paint, listening to your thoughts on what is art was something very special and very rewarding for me. Now, says Mone, I hope to move it to my watercolors. Thank you very much for being you Alvaro.No aprendí algo, aprendí muchísimo. Verte pintar, escuchar tus pensamientos sobre lo que es el arte fue algo muy especial y muy enriquecedor para mí. Ahora, como dice Mone, espero poder trasladarlo a mis acuarelas. Muchas gracias por ser como eres Alvaro.

      —Társila Jiménez (Spain)

    • Très bonne organisation!
      J’ai aimée la très bonne organisation (chevalets, papiers, thé, gàteaux, etc.) et l’amitié!

      —Marthe Salavin (France)

    • Thank you for being so SUPPORTIVE AND HELPFUL
      Thank you very much again for being so SUPPORTIVE AND HELPFUL making our trip so memorable.

      —Blanche Pepper (Ireland)

    • Testimonial by Patrick

      —Patrick Arcidiacono (France)

    • I feel much more confident in planning and executing a watercolor
      For me this week was like a dream and with my thoughts I´m still “en la Costa Brava”. The landscape, the weather, Joseph as a painter and teacher, great. I'm still finding his remarks and comments about watercolor I never heard of before somewhere in my head and I feel much more confident in planning and executing a watercolor.

      —Dieter Jauernig (Germany)

    • Everything was always arranged perfectly
      Many thanks for a superb course. The tuition goes without saying but I feel I must say how superbly you organised everything without any fuss. We never had to worry because we knew everything was always arranged perfectly.

      —Arnold Lowrey (UK)

    • I’m still getting over that amazing, unbelievable week in Girona
      …I’m still getting over that amazing, unbelievable week in Girona, but in the office already and working! Have a good rest after all the hard work you did, and we’ll keep on touch. My impressions from that great week are still with me

      —Irina Litinsky (Canada)

    • Video testimonial by Anna Carrión

      —Anna Carrión (USA)

    • Video testimonial by Dan Marshall

      —Dan Marshall (USA)

    • Life Changing…!
      A challenging yet stimulating experience with a great artist and tutor. Joseph’s workshops was the best ever. A great workshop, an excellent teacher in a great location all by the courtesy and help of EPC. Thank you! I think I will be a much better painter from now on. I came to improve my painting so Joseph’s choice of varied subjects and his explanations were fantastic – life changing for me! If you like watercolours you will have loved this. Magnifico! I would reccomend EPC because I think you provide a learning environment that combines art with enjoyment.

      —Dave Betty (United Kingdom)

    • It was very worthwhile for me!
      It’s my first time to attend a workshop in a foreign country. I learned a lot. Joseph’s lessons were very systematic and he really has the aim to teach. I learned new techniques and I’m going to practise them back in Japan, putting this experience and knowledge into practice. It was very worthwhile for me. I had a wonderful time and if it’s possible I’d like to come back. Many thanks to Joseph and Angela and the other staff.

      —Masato Ueda (Japan)

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