Here’s a Q & A with Gonzalo Cid

Perché fai arte?
I paint because of me and for me. I paint because I need it—art is the food for my soul.

Da quanto tempo dipingi?
I started drawing and painting when I was very young, but I stopped during high school. I picked it up again almost 20 years ago.

Hai seguito un corso di formazione artistica formale?
No, I haven’t.

Sei un artista professionista o un semplice appassionato?
I make my living through my art—teaching and selling my work.

A chi e/o a cosa ti ispiri?
Everything around me can be a source of inspiration: streets, nature, fields, plants, houses, people, a book, a TV show, a magazine. Music is also a strong source of inspiration.

Che tipo di musica ascolti mentre dipingi?
It depends on my mood. I go from classical music to Limp Bizkit!

Hai mai avuto un mentore?
Yes, there was someone who introduced me to the world of watercolor—Jorge Royan, an architect, photographer, and urban sketcher from Buenos Aires. Several years ago, he told me, “Once you try watercolor, you’ll never let it go.” And here I am.

Dipingi tutti i giorni?
Yes! (But we know that’s not always true—LOL)

Do you paint one piece at a time or work on several at once?
It depends. Sometimes I work on two or three pieces at the same time, but usually I paint one and then start another.

Prima create un bozzetto concettuale?
For some works, yes. I do several small studies to plan composition and tonal values, look for references in my own photos, do small sketches—and then create the final piece.

Preferisci dipingere in studio o all'aria aperta?
Both. Plein air gives me the chance to experience the place—its sounds, smells, views—and of course, to paint it. Though it’s not always easy!
Studio work offers a more controlled environment, so it’s easier to paint.
But I enjoy both.

Quanti colori principali utilizzi?
A few years ago, I worked with a very limited palette. Since then, I’ve expanded my color choices, but I usually use no more than five tones in a single painting.

Tubi, padelle o bastoncini?
Tubes and sticks.

Utilizzi un liquido mascherante?
No. I like the adrenaline of leaving white spaces using just my brush.

When do you know a piece is finished?
I ask myself this question every single day. I use this one to help me decide: “Will what I’m about to add make the painting better?” If yes, I go ahead. If not, the work is finished.

Unisciti a noi online ogni settimana tramite Zoom o Facebook per un Una conversazione intima e personale con John Cogley. (Daniel Smith Proprietario e CEO) insieme ad artisti ospiti da tutto il mondo. Il giovedì (14:00 Pacifico), John e alcuni dei nostri Ambasciatori del marchio Mettiamo in evidenza un gruppo di colori e rispondiamo alle tue domande. Il venerdì (alle 10:30 ora del Pacifico), un artista ospite tiene una dimostrazione condividendo i suoi consigli e le sue tecniche preferite. Clicca qui per i link Zoom della prossima settimana.

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