Enjoy this demo with Sebastian Thommen to learn how he creates his beautiful watercolor art.

Here’s a quick Q&A with Sebastian:

Why do you make art?
I’ve always had an innate desire to create. I love acting in theatre and also making films. I can’t do that everyday but Watercolour I can.

How long have you been painting?
When I was around 14 I was given a box of paints and some brushes along with a “Frank Clarke – Simply Painting’” VHS (by the wife of a neighbour and friend who passed away unexpectedly). That’s when I started watercolour 26 years ago. I’ve only become obsessed with it these past 5 years.

Did you have formal art training?
No, Just books.

Are you a working artist or a hobbyist?
Working.

Who and/or what do you look to for inspiration?
I’m inspired by Zbukvic and Castagnet, along with hundreds of others on Instagram but I’m mainly inspired by nature and man made objects that dwell in it.

What kind of music do you listen to while painting?
I’ve been happily painting alongside Neil Young recently!

Have you had a mentor?
I’ve had a few workshops, live with Alvaro in Amsterdam and Nicolas Lopez in Prague and also Andy Evansen online during lockdown.

Do you paint every day?
Yes.

Do you paint one piece at a time or work on several at the same time?
Mainly one at a time but sometimes a few at once when I’m in the mood.

Do you create a concept piece first?
No, I go straight into it but I do create Value Studies for complicated scenes to help with composition.

Do you prefer painting in studio or plein air?
Plain Air all the way. I love being outside and I’m lucky I have a campervan with an awning to protect me from the Irish rain.

How many core colors do you use?
4 at the moment. Cobalt, Ultra, Burnt Sienna and Yellow Ochre. Tubes, pans or sticks? Tubes mainly.

Do you use masking fluid?
No.

When do you know that your piece is finished?
I listen to my gut.

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Join us online each week for an Up Close and Personal Conversation with Daniel Smith CEO and Owner, John Cogley and guest artists from around the world. On Thursdays (2:00pm Pacific), John highlights various features of our products and answers your questions. On Fridays (10:30am Pacific), a guest artist follows up to share how they incorporate those features into their art. Click here for the upcoming week’s Zoom links.

Check our Facebook page for news about upcoming guest artists or to watch past replays. Each Zoom meeting is also recorded and shared on our YouTube channel. La traducción al español está disponible – selecciona el canal en español en Zoom.