Who am I?

 

I have been painting since early childhood. Encouraged by my father—himself a painter—I initially sought to imitate him before developing my own artistic sensibility and techniques. Despite a busy professional life (I am a university lecturer and oceanographer), I devote a significant portion of my free time to my passion for painting. I live in Occitanie, a region blessed by the gods for a painter like me; the colors, the landscapes, the picturesque villages, and the local people provide an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Yet beauty exists everywhere; often, one simply needs to open one’s eyes... ​

 

My artistic approach.

 

I explore the world around me, seeking out plays of light, unusual locations, captivating atmospheres, and—often—warm colors. I do not look for anything specific; I simply let myself be guided by instinct and the pleasure of an impromptu detour. Chance often plays a role... and sometimes, it smiles upon me. Photography allows me to capture moments and compositions that serve as inspiration. In my creative process, the photograph acts as a vital bridge between reality and the paper, pigments and water. All the paintings I sell are inspired by my photographs, though they are never exact copies. I rework compositions, alter colors, and add or remove elements... allowing my imagination to express itself.

 

A few words on my technique and materials.

 

I create water-based paintings (watercolors and gouaches). In my view, watercolor is one of the most challenging techniques to master. Unlike oil or acrylic painting, correcting a mistake is extremely difficult—if not impossible—due to the transparency of the colors. I work in successive layers, always starting with the lightest shades. Depending on the desired effect, the amount of water held by the brush is crucial. I do not use a hairdryer to speed up drying between layers; I believe excessive heat can compromise the longevity of the pigments and the paper itself (meaning I sometimes have to wait an hour between layers). Since I usually work on large-scale watercolors, I first soak the paper in water for 10–15 minutes, lay it wet onto a wooden board, and quickly staple down the edges before it tightens as it dries (this helps minimize buckling). In practice, completing a watercolor often takes two to three weeks. My professional commitments, the size of the paintings, the number of layers applied, and the necessary drying times all account for this timeframe. My technique also requires me to work in a studio setting. Gouache is much more forgiving. It is a far more opaque medium due to its high pigment content. I use gouache for smaller areas, as I appreciate the velvety, matte finish it lends to a painting. I use specialized paper suited to each type of painting (most often Arches or Winsor & Newton, with a minimum weight of 300 gsm). Sennelier is a brand I particularly favor, not only for its superior manufacturing quality and durability over time but also for its extensive color ranges (Extra-fine Honey-based Watercolor and Extra-fine Ultra-matte Gouache).