On my easel I have a brass plaque that reads,

“Let the spirits of the old masters give me the grace to create”    ~Alex Castro

Please note:

 This material is raw and unedited , copy write  by Alex Castro . ©

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Dedication

I would like to take this opportunity to dedicate this book to my students, collectors, fans and friend’s from around the world that thru thick and thin have been there for me, with their support, inspiration and love! 

 Thank you all for thanking the time to read this,

 Your brother in the arts,

Alex Castro  

P.S. I have become “ Pinocchio’s” , Mastro Geppetto “lol”

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 Acknowledgements

Although I have studied and worked with numerous master and grand masters for which I am humble and blessed that have changed my life!

 I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge my students that I am honored to be called their teacher, mentor and friend and at the same time their humble student, I have learned so very much in their presents of the very craft I profess to teach, that the more I teach the deeper and clearer my understating becomes of the things I do know, but just as importantly the shortcomings and weakness of the thing I think I know as well, become crystal clear in my teachings.  

That being said:  My job is not to make anyone a great artist or anything of the kind, and certainly not a carbon copy of my style of drawing or painting miniatures.

I offend tell a student “look me in the eyes, I want to talk not to you who are full of doubt and insecurities , but to that master artist that’s lurking inside of you full of talent and potential, and just needs a little help in coming out , my job is not to teach you but to reach out and bring the master artist out of you, he that master inside of you develops and learns best not by lecture or books, but by personal demonstration and example, and a passion that is contagious, are the food the master artist that lurking inside of you seeks, it is called “Inspiration!”

“As an artist you fill yourself up with knowledge and beautiful things and then you spill it all out in a creative effort.  If you are empty, you create nothing! For the very essence of art is inhalational and exhalation in nature.” 

My students over the years have brought me much love and joy, they have touch my heart and moved my soul like no others have and for this I am blessed!

~Alex Castro.

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Preface

“See the great in the small “and “see the small in the perspective of the great”.” Among those who study painting, some strive for an elaborate effect and others prefer the simple. Neither complexity in itself nor simplicity is enough. Some aim to be deft, others to be laboriously careful. Neither dexterity nor conscientiousness is enough. Some set great value on method, while others pride themselves on dispensing with method. To be without method is deplorable, but to depend entirely on method is worse. You must learn first to observe the rules faithfully; afterwards, modify them according to your intelligence and capacity.  The end of all method is to seem to have no method.”                   

Lu Ch’ai (Wang Kai), Master of Ch’ing Tsai T’ang, XVII-century

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 Mas·ter [Master} Somebody or something controlling or influencing events or other things, somebody who is highly skilled in a trade or craft in this case fine art and is qualified to teach apprentices.

The word master in the fine arts to me means that your work is highly respected by others in your field of art. Although I am considered and called master by many of my collectors and pear’s in the arts, I have never been formally declared a master of painting miniatures by any group or organization. It has really never mattered to me, as I have always felt that the true master is ordained by powers higher than mans!

I use the word often in this book because not just because it gives credibility to my writings and teachings But because this book is about that artistic boost that can make the difference between an expert and a master’s. I will also be sharing with you have artist that I  consider to be masters that I  meet and studied  with as well as a few  grand masters and one living legend I had the honor to work for and interact with!

 To me the artist for the most part is a visual story teller, articulating his visual narrative in a universal language of shapes, forms and color, but mostly images, wither it be 2D or 3D sculpted, drawn or painted well, then it will be enjoyed and understood by all globally no matter geographical location culture or education or economic status, good art transcend all of that,

“As far as I am concerned, a painting speaks for itself.  What is the use of giving explanations, when all is said and done?  A painter has only one language.” ~Pablo Picasso

 This visual language has its ABC’s and its own rules, that were developed way before man could even read or write a word or even a simple calculation. Art bridges cultures and brings us all a little bit closer together.

“Grammar stops at love, and at art.”  ~Terri Guillemets.

I remember being asked to teach at locale prison, I will never forget my meeting with and old friend and great art master who was an inmate, as we would teach side by side, the reaction as we would do demonstrations for the inmates and staff and the affect art had on the inmates, and the effect it had on me as well, one thing I took away from that experience was that,

““The arts heal and soften our nature” ~Alex Castro

The irony was that some at correctional facility personnel didn’t like the idea of the inmates getting my art services for free that they would have to pay for on the outside, that being said one inmate came up to me gleaming with joy on how fortunate he was to be incarnated to be learning art from two arts masters at the same time!

 The responsibly as a Master in the arts is always to give of his art!

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.  Art is knowing which ones to keep.  ~Scott Adams
My students are my best teachers:

Teaching has always been one of my best learning aids, to me in that it reminds me in many ways of how little I may really know any given subject, but at the same time deepens and gives me the certainty of what little I do understand.

I offend tell my students,

“Paint to the heart the mind will follow.” ~Alex Castro

 If the heart doesn’t like a work of art no matter how much the mind try’s to rationalize our justify that piece of art, will fail in most cases and will not move or change the heart, if the heart is won over by the art and is moved then the mind will find ways of explaining it and excepting it one way or the other to please the heart! 

I remember reading about the ancient  Toltec Mesoamerican   culture  (ca 800-1000 CE).

 The  ”Toltec ” meaning “artisan”, believed that the greatest work of art was a human being and that your life was its work in progress!

“Mastery consists not in abnormal dreams, visions and fantastic imaginings or living, but in using the higher forces against the lower — escaping the pains of the lower planes by vibrating on the higher. Transmutation, not presumptuous denial, is the weapon of the Master.”

–The Kybalion.

Statue from CS Moore Studio, 1/7 scale, painted by Alex Castro © 

Statue from CS Moore Studio, 1/7 scale, painted by Alex Castro ©

Dear students and friends,

It ’s been awhile; my apologies for the laps in time with  ”Conan the Conqueror,” especially to my very patient collector.

 The  recent passing of Mr. Frazetta has made me remember his words to  me “ why aren’t you painting on canvas ? “   That being said, this legend has left us with a legacy of art for generations to enjoy.  To me it was a  a closing of an  era in the world of art and the beginning  of a new one .

 That being said ,  I’m taking  this opportunity to announce my retirement from the world of painting figures and miniatures. I’ve been painting miniatures professionally fo over 30 years and have enjoyed it with a passion . It’s time to move on! “Conan the Conqueror “ is the  last miniature figure piece  I will paint!

 I have reached a point that I can no longer resist the pull and calling of my  art work of spiritual compositions that deal with the spiritual side of our existence  in a none religious fashion! I have put aside my canvas and panel work all these years  and now I feel it’s time to dedicate myself to my own original compositions  that I have  envisioned for so many years.

 Stay tuned for “Druids Dream .  ”  The girl is currently being work on and close to completion!

 Enough about me, let’s talk about Conan!

 I decided that instead of posting  in piece meal, I would wait until I completed sections and  post the step-by-step ,  for those who are interested to follow, as I post completed sections, I will advise you of its availability on my website.

 In the meantime,  please enjoy these pictures of the completed painted  ”Conan the Conqueror” statue  painted  by me!

 Thank you, for your patients!

 Alex Castro

Statue from CS Moore Studio, 1/7 scale, painted by Alex Castro ©

Statue from CS Moore Studio, 1/7 scale, painted by Alex Castro ©

Statue from CS Moore Studio, 1/7 scale, painted by Alex Castro ©

Statue from CS Moore Studio, 1/7 scale, painted by Alex Castro ©

From CS Moore Studio, 1/7 scale, sculptured by Clayburn Moore, work in progress by Alex Castro ©

The great master and father of fantasy art has passed yesterday . He was my idol and an inspiration from my earliest childhood. One of the greatest highlights of my art career was having the honor of meeting and collaborating him!

His critique and approval meant the world to me regarding my work on miniatures . One question he asked me was “why aren’t you painting “ I knew he wasn’t talking about the miniatures but about my work on canvas. I also remember how much we laughed about my beret when he said “what ‘s that thing” and the only thing I could response was “well Frank I wasn’t blessed with as much hair as you, but I had it when I needed it”! And everyone broke out laughing!

My only regret was not being able to spend more time with the master . That being said, the world was blessed to have him. He was a legend during his lifetime , now he and his legendary art belongs to the ages!

My deepest condolences to the Frazetta family.

Alex Castro

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100512/NEWS/5120325/-1/NEWS0938

Dear Friends,

This is a portrait of my beautiful daughter, Alexis Helena Castro, 14 years old, on our deck for her graduation from the 8th grade.

This drawing is done on tracing paper with graphite pencil. I just added the shadow and tone values on the face and dress for posting purposes. This will be traced onto a 18 ” x 24″  Belgium linen canvas panel board for oil painting!!

My style of drawing is a very fluid, rapid approach to sketching and drawing.  I stroke mostly from left to right and cross hatch on occasion. I seldom erase or cut out highlights and almost never blend with blenders or my fingers.

I hope you enjoy this work in progress of my daughter’s sketch. This is one of many sketches that I’m working on and will be painting.

Please visit my newly redesigned website to see more of my drawings and paintings.

Thanks for your comments and remarks!!

This rough conceptual brunt umber wet drawing will be painted on 20″ x 28″ custom made oil primed Belgium linen panel. Drawing by Alex Castro

 Pocono Record Article  “ Master of Miniatures”

Alex Castro’s unfinished oil portrait of a couple’s wedding reminds him of a pivotal time in his art career. He had been painting portraits for a living while spending his free time perfecting his own techniques painting miniatures. He put down the oil brush and returned the commission. That was 15 years ago, and he never looked back. “The 3-D aspect allowed me to walk around it and get behind the piece. I couldn’t do that in 2-D,” Castro said. Today, he is a master of the miniatures.  Painting the female figure, a U.S. paratrooper or a pirate with such authenticity that the skin tone invites touching,  just to see how Castro accomplishes the texturing.  A relief wall plaque, based on Boris Vallejo’s “Tattoo” and sculpted by Steve West, is a fine example. Castro’s work — complete with a dragon that emerges from a tattoo on the bicep of the figure — is on the cover of  Modeler’s Resource,which also includes a how-to article.

Many hobbyists take their skills from modeling into miniatures; however, Castro brought his art training and love of the Renaissance and Classical masters. “You can’t paint the face the same way you do the shirt,” he said. “I’m known for the softness and sensitivity I bring to the image.” Model manufacturers now send Castro pieces to paint in order to sell the kits. He has also written a technique book.  Castro noted that art should be concept-driven, not based on a preconceived recipe. He said, “To get those results, you have to look at it as art.”

CASTRO’S ART GAVE HIM direction growing up in Brooklyn while he watched his mother suffer chronic health problems and survive on welfare. On occasions when she was too sick to care for her children, Castro and his two siblings would be split up to live with relatives.

Castro began copying cartoons early on. “Art became my world. I got lost in art.” In fourth grade, other students were drawing comics, and Castro was sketching diagrams of a dissected praying mantis, which were given to the principal because of the quality.  Later, he won an art competition, which allowed him to receive training at The New York Illustrators Club. There he learned from advertising people how the droplets of water appeared on soda bottles, and had some of his own work auctioned off. He even had dinner at a fancy restaurant. “It was very important artistically. It also showed me I was living in two worlds,” Castro said. “One was a poor world where those things didn’t happen to me, and then another world at a restaurant where waiters were tying a lobster bib on me. It’s important for me as a teacher to give that back.” In his culture, people didn’t make a living with art and were expected to find a real job, he said. “Art allowed me to express myself, and I felt it was a gift. I felt it was something I could do well, was comfortable with and people enjoyed,” he said.  He worked security jobs, as a waiter and at a gas station to pay for school. After graduation, he taught art to anyone, from youngsters to senior citizens.

 Castro continued working on his art to advance his technical and artistic skill. “I have a passion for it. It’s not only the passion with the art, but I like reinventing it,” he said. “In the miniature field, I created many techniques because I didn’t like what was being done.”

CASTRO HASN’T DITCHED his interest in oil painting and drawing. Quite the contrary. Castro, who has been living in the Poconos for 13 years, is expanding his teaching to include offerings at the School of Visual and Performing Arts and the studio courses at the PoconoArts Council.  “I can’t receive unless I give. I make space in the creative world. The best way to learn is by teaching,” he said.

Figure International magazine # 24  Article on Alex Castro