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₹32500.00
Advanced Sculptural Scagliola Workshop
Kwang Village - Spiti Valley - Himachal Pradesh
Join us for a rare and inspiring Sculptural Scagliola Workshop led by the exceptionally talented Master Craftsman Oscar Urruela Sacristán, whose boundless imagination breathes new life into this historic technique. Over five immersive days, you'll explore the expressive potential of Scagliola—a richly decorative craft limited only by one's creativity. Guided by Oscar’s visionary approach and hands-on mastery, participants will collaborate on the creation of a large sculptural piece, conceived and shaped on site. Whether it becomes a bench, table, lamp, or something entirely unexpected, the process will be a journey of shared artistry and inventive craftsmanship.
A Word From Oscar
Why do we think that marble or scagliola stucco (plaster) can only decorate institutional buildings and those of the upper bourgeoisie? Let’s change this erroneous idea and look further,let’s think of it as a technique that allows us to produce or create our own “fake” exotic marbles and granites from distant lands, stones that do not exist in nature and cover our walls with them,using them as a support other sustainable materials such as lime, mud or the plaster itself.
During this Scagliola workshop we will see how a classic technique that decorates the most emblematic buildings throughout not only Europe, but half the world, offers us the possibility of adapting it and ourselves to contemporary architectural trends. Starting from accessible, abundant and cheap materials such as gypsum plaster, earth pigments and metal oxides, glue of animal origin and water, all of them 100% sustainable and with a low ecological footprint.
This technique allows us (having certain knowledge that is acquired in the introductory course and a certain creativity, essential in any craftsman or artist who is not an applicator) tocarry out an infinite number of finishes. The only limitation being the creativity of each individual.
Course Content
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Introduction to Scagliola: History, materials, and creative potential
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Understanding Gypsum: Differences between Beta and Alpha gypsum
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Use of Retardants: Managing setting times for complex applications
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Working with Colour: Introduction to natural and synthetic pigments
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Base Preparation: Surface readiness and creating durable formwork
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Marbling Techniques: Classic and contemporary methods for creating visual depth
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From Table to Sculpture: Adapting Scagliola techniques to three-dimensional forms
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Finishing Techniques: Polishing for depth and sheen
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Application of Sealants and Waxes: Protecting and enhancing the final piece
Master Craftsman
Oscar Urruella Sacristán
Oscar belongs to the third generation of stucco masters. He learned the trade from his father in the workshop and on site, developing with him a multitude of new and restoration jobs, especially in the north of Spain.He has worked in hotels, theatres, institutional buildings, commercial premises and private homes. Using techniques such as scagliola, lime stucco, plaster stucco, stone restoration etc. He has a deep understanding of traditional materials and techniques, which allows him to also experiment with new textures and colours. After the retirement of his teacher, he began a new stage in which he combines his need for experimentation and exploration with different natural and traditional materials in the search for new application techniques. With the continuity of work on site, undergoing a transmutation towards a more contemporary vision of the finishes. He has also begun a creative phase researching in the fields of art and sculpture using the experience in different techniques and materials acquired over the years. Oscar participates in both collective and solo art exhibitions in different European cities and countries.
Location
Kwang Village Spiti Valley
Perched high in the Himalayas, the tranquil village of Kwang is our cherished summer home and the site of our ongoing heritage reconstruction project. This quiet, rammed-earth hamlet, set in a high-altitude desert well above the tree line and encircled by snow-capped peaks, offers a rare stillness that invites deep focus and creative flow. It is here, within the evolving landscape of traditional building and craft, that our advanced Sculptural Scagliola Workshop will take place. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in this richly expressive art form while immersed in the therapeutic rhythms of creating—surrounded by fresh mountain air, the warmth of village life, and one of the world’s most awe-inspiring settings. With the rich architectural traditions of the Spiti Valley as a living backdrop, this workshop promises a truly unforgettable creative journey.
