Art 4 Conservation

01/03/2026

An attempt at reliving the incredible wildlife encounters in Poland, earlier in February, by sketching the various animals we saw. Next: the wolf we found on a red deer carcass. Better images coming soon …

22/02/2026

It’s been two weeks since I traveled to Bieszczady, Poland, to observe winter landscapes and wildlife with a group of enthusiastic birders. We spotted so many elusive European wildlife species, including European Bison, Wolf, Otter, and Bears. The winters here are intense, and beautiful. I always want to build a sketch log of trips like this, which I will share here.

I cannot stress the importance of making sketches, either in the field or in your studio afterwards. They liberate you from the idea that works need to be stylised, and allow a relaxed mindset towards creation. It’s all about observing, enjoying, and honing your visual library and skillset :)

Who else appreciates sketching, or painting in the field? Do you wish you’d do more of it?

10/02/2026

Last week I spent time exploring my favourite part of Poland: wild Bieszczady National Park. The place had days of -11 degrees Celsius and loads of snow. I will be posting some sketches from my wildlife encounters in the next days. All encounters were absolutely stunning. Birding wise, a thrilling highlight was an observation of this Hazel Hen, a true ‘ghost of the forest’. They are seldom seen because of their secretive nature. As we were waiting in the car for wildlife to come to a deer carcass we found, I took some time to sketch my experiences. Delightful!

06/04/2025

Soon I will be participating again in a wonderful watercolour course in the Western countryside of Flanders, at Guy Gruwier’s and Greta Verdonck’s art studio. Both are very talented and experienced artists and instructors.

I highly recommend getting out of your comfort zone to allow yourself to learn new things, or hone your skills further. Besides, it is also very calming to surround yourself with like-minded people and create things, in a world that is often so depressing :)

28/03/2025

‘Might’

Might is an attempt to marry the power of watercolour movement with the energetic spectacle of a landing Bald Eagle. The unpredictable interaction between the paint and the water is something I try to bring forward, and emphasise by the majestical bird flying through it.

25/03/2025

Work in progress.

I have always been VERY passionate about painting complex movement scenes in watercolour. This medium truly can be magic if executed properly. It is an eternal struggle to find a balance between control and randomness of moving paint and water. I can confidently say it’s the hardest medium to master.

I have also been a huge fan of Bald Eagles. I saw my first one flying over my rental car near lake Shelburne in Vermont (US) in 2017. I have seen a few since, each one being one of my best bird encounters ever!

16/03/2025

A composition of Bullfinch. Watercolours on Canson paper, revisited.

09/03/2025

Little Owl painting. Watercolours!

05/03/2025

For our past Art 4 Conservation expo at the annual Bird Day Conference in Belgium, I revisited some of my older artworks, adding colour and vibrancy.

They are now mounted, signed, and protected in a plastic foil ready to ship worldwide.

This is one of those works, a personal favourite. Harlequin Ducks in a powerful river current. Ive seen these in North America, and they are honestly one of my favourite animals ever.

Price 250€ excluding shipping. Please contact me via [email protected] or DM me if you are interested. All net proceeds go to !

photoreference 📸

27/01/2025

It’s been two weeks since we witnessed what is probably one of the craziest bird observations in the Western Palaearctic ever! A Spectacled Eider, in Texel (The Netherlands). Normally this magnificent bird only breeds and winters in Siberia, Alaska and the Bering Straits!

I couldnt help myself and sketched the surreal experience. This is why I love sketching, to eternalise that moment on paper, that incredible excitement that we all shared together.

27/01/2025