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₹26000.00
Spanish Trabadillo - Introductory Gypsum and Lime Plaster Workshop
Chandigarh
We are excited to welcome internationally renowned Master Craftsman Oscar Urruela Sacristán, who will be leading an immersive workshop on Trabadillo—a traditional Spanish plastering technique that artfully combines gypsum and lime. With its unique blend, Trabadillo enhances the strengths of both materials, offering remarkable creative versatility. This technique allows for the building of plaster in substantial volume, making it ideal for sculptural work, architectural detailing, and richly expressive finishes. Under Oscar’s expert guidance, participants will explore the full artistic and structural potential of this timeless craft.
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.
Workshop Details
Practical Sessions:
- Appropriate supports (wall surfaces) and their preparation (union bridges)
- Formulation of Trabadillo plasters with local raw material
- Retardants
- Additives – aggregates, brick powder, clays, oxides & fibres
- Application method and creative possibilities
- Polished & burnished finishes
- Treatments and protections – Oils & Waxes etc
We will make various examples in small format on a table. We will then move on to the wall where we will develop medium-sized samples and a large-format artistic mural combining the different techniques acquired. In the course we will practice several samples using different composition techniques and different decorative styles.
A Word From Oscar
This Trabadillo workshop is intended as a guide with which confidence and creativity are enhanced, avoiding being merely applicators of a product, it is about experimenting and finding. In order to expand our definition of a lime plasters and flooring we will explore with different aerial (quicklime) and semi-hydrated limes, gypsums of different hardnesses, natural pigments, oxides and earth, natural glues or bones, aggregates of different types and granularity. With these ingredients we will create different finishes, both traditional and more modern, applicable in different loads (thicknesses) from 1mm to 3 cm and on different supports such as stone, painted surfaces, earthen walls, wood, lime and cement mortar. We will see how the Trabadillos can be the perfect natural candidate to replace micro-cements (terrazzo) and other industrial materials.
During this four day architectural workshop we will develop a variety finishes on different supports (wall and floor surfaces) which we will prepare to receive the plasters. By playing with the base materials we will add extra aggregates to suit. We will further combine the Trabadillos together with clays, various aggregates and fibres creating smooth surfaces or organic curves as we wish. To finish our Trabadillo we will experiment with protectors, consolidators and treatments (water repellents, soaps, oils, silicates and ceramic nanoparticles). We will learn the appropriate application techniques, as well as we carry out different finishes applied over various bases for both exterior and interior.. Experimentation with the addition of aggregates such as chamottes / surki (groundbrick), clays and fibres, will allow us to expand our creative possibilities.
Mastering the Art of Plaster Mixes & Finishes
It is important to note this is not a workshop to learn the technique of using a trowel. Oscar is an exceptionally talented Master Craftsman with immense knowledge to share in a short period of time. This workshop will focus on imparting the knowledge of how to create unique plaster recipes. Those wanting to learn how to use a trowel may consider joining one of our other lime plaster workshops where we focus on these techniques in greater detail.
Depending on the level of interest we may consider offering a one day trowelling technique intensive one day before the workshop. If you are interested please let us know.
** A detailed PDF is available with further details regarding this and the other two advanced workshops. Please send us an email or whatsapp message to request it.