Fernando de Paiva is an illustrator and tattoo artist in Brazil who creates exclusive designs, often simulating the look of watercolor on his clients’ skin. He is a former painting professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, and a member of GUAP, a local watercolor and pastel group.

“My first contact with watercolor was a few years ago, when my advisor brought artists into class who used professional paints. As an art teacher, I taught the basics to students, but I didn’t start a dedicated painting practice for myself until 2020 with the pandemic. I‘ve loved learning how watercolor works by painting portraits. I really want to be known as a professional watercolorist.”