Workshop with Fernand Thienpondt

"To paint is to use the fantasy of your dreams."

Fernand, He views watercolor painting (and indeed any form of art) as a way of living more intensely—by learning to better ‘see’ and ‘feel’ the world around us.

This is particularly evident in his ‘observations of nature,’ especially his seascapes; it is worth noting that he lived on the coast during his youth, where he was influenced by the North Sea.

Man always occupies a central place, intertwined with his environment—past, present, and future. At times, his works reflect a world of "desolation," yet this is always counterbalanced by the beauty of women and/or nature. "To paint is to draw upon the fantasy of your dreams." He loves "the mysterious"—that which has yet to be discovered.

In his works, he strives to create captivating scenes using light, color choices, atmosphere, and movement.

We begin with the (simplified) rules of how waves form, their movement and breaking, the beach and its reflections, and the atmosphere of a sunset. We also cover rough seas and storms—waves crashing against rocks, the resulting foam, and a study of rocks in watercolor—along with the use of interesting mediums. All taught step-by-step.