Tomáš Fišera shares some favorite watercolor tips and tricks.

Here’s a Q&A with Tomáš:

Why do you make art?

I come from an artistic family, so I have always been supported and educated. I’ve always enjoyed creativity in general. I truly understood why I make art when I started to simply enjoy the process of creation itself without any other intentions. For me, it is a complete experience, adventure, and a curiosity as to how to transform the actual situation into a final painting.

How long have you been painting?

Almost my whole life, with one break when I needed distance and sort out what I want to paint and why. After this break I began to research and devote myself more to the watercolor technique.

Did you have formal art training?

I was taught by my parents, mainly my dad, at the same time I went to preparatory art school, then to high school. So I studied various art techniques like figure drawing, graphics, calligraphy, geometry, art history and so on.

Are you a working artist or a hobbyist?

I worked as a graphic designer for many years. Now it’s about 90% art to 10% graphic design, which suits me as a good balance.

What inspires you?

I am often inspired by ordinary scenes in nature or in the city. Basically, I enjoy painting in the plein air. What interests me in terms of atmosphere, light, composition, smell, story and creates any kind of emotion in me. I like to capture this current moment. But I am also inspired by the technique itself with its richness and the choice of how to proceed in the process.

What kind of music do you listen to while painting?

When I paint in plein air, I don’t listen to music. I am happy to be connected with the place so I listen to the sound of the environment, chat with passers-by, or listen to my own thoughts. I think that all of this will be reflected in the final work. In the studio, I mostly listen to some older alternative rock like Pixies, Radiohead, or more modern ones like Depeche Mode, Bjork, some Czech artists. In general, it’s a wide variety of artists and styles that I like.

Have you had a mentor?

It was mainly my father who taught me the most. Sometimes it wasn’t easy and sometimes it was too much for me, but he really gave me the most. Also two teachers, from a prep school and a high school. I can also consider my friend Ana Tyulpanova as a mentor. She helped me a lot to discover the community, introduced me to many artist friends from all over the world and she always gave good advice and great cooperation.

Do you paint every day?

Yes, with rare exceptions.

Do you paint one piece at a time or work on several at the same time?

Mostly one piece at a time. This is mainly due to the fact that I usually paint in one round and I want to use different states of wetness. This is often a matter of seconds that I don’t want to miss, especially in plein air.

Do you create a concept piece first?

I work more spontaneously. Sometimes I do value studies as educational material.

Do you prefer painting in studio or en plein air?

Plein air, because I can authentically capture emotions and moods, which is essential for my work. Studio only in winter, at night, or when I paint large formats, but always based on experience and my own reference from a specific place.

How many core colors do you use?

There are only 8 colors in my basic palette, because I like to mix everything myself and keep harmony in painting, also in a collection of paintings next to each other:

Cobalt Blue; Ultramarine Blue; Burnt Sienna; Yellow Ochre; Lavender; Hansa Yellow Medium; Mayan Orange; Payne’s Gray

Tubes, pans or sticks?

Tubes. I like to have a lot of pigment on the palette because it allows me to work quickly and use big brushes.

When do you know that your piece is finished?

I like to use the focal point and try to work loosely, but at the same time cleanly, so that even a small accent can stand out. I do these accents at the end of the process, so when I have my focal point balanced in the composition, I know I’m heading to final. I prefer an almost unfinished result than an overworked one.

••••••••••

Join us online each week via Zoom or Facebook for an Up Close and Personal Conversation with John Cogley (Daniel Smith Owner and CEO) along with guest artists from around the world. On Thursdays (2:00pm Pacific), John and some of our Brand Ambassadors highlight a group of colors and answer your questions. On Fridays (10:30am Pacific), a guest artist shares a demo with their favorite tips and techniques. Click here for the upcoming week’s Zoom links.

If you prefer, you can visit our Facebook page at showtime to watch live. Replays can be watched on Facebook or YouTube.