Give me anything that brings colour on a surface. Aquarel, pencil, acryl, coal. Love it all.
As an artist enchanted by the works of Rembrandt and Vermeer, I was specially impressed and curious to the skills and techniques of these old Dutch masters, their talent and craftsmanship. How did they manage to create such masterpieces? Which secrets, techniques, knowledge and skills did they possess? And can these still be learned today?
Those techniques, using different layers of oil paint, bringing the unique depth and colour, demands thorough knowledge about paints and materials, skills and lots of experience and as I found out: some wisdom as well. Literally a different way of observing connected to real old fashioned craftsmanship. Unfortunately these cannot really be found and/or learned at any art school or university. At least none I know of.
Then I had the luck to meet Lux Buurman and Ab van Overdam, the authorities in the field and willing to share their secrets with me. Lux’ lessons unleashed my potential and will make me feel like an apprentice for life. Painting can make me feel proud and humble at the same time. With every stroke I make I love the (long) time the oil will take to process, showing it’s different transparancies only after the proper delay and treatment. It’s special to me . I hope it shows.
