Art 4 Conservation

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Art 4 Conservation

Art 4 Conservation is a Belgian non-profit organisation that is devoted to raising vital funds for wi

31/07/2026

After decades of obsessing over observing mountain gorillas in the wild, this July was finally the time. It turned out to be one of the toughest hikes in my entire life!

Making field sketches in the humid rainforest climate certainly added to this incredible experience.

Mountain Gorillas are rare; there are around 460 in Bwindi, another 600 or so in Virunga, and that’s it. Although I caught myself calling their habitats “vast” and “primal” and “unspoilt” and “wow”, the truth is that the Bwindi forest is just 330 km2 in area, surrounded by some of the most densely populated regions in the world. The rainforests are islands surrounded by farmland, which we could certainly see as we drove there. It reminded me of similar cases I have observed in Brazil (Emas) and Tanzania (Udzungwa).

This is why it is so so important to protect the last strongholds of these gentle giants. I will be releasing some studio paintings of gorillas later this year to support gorilla protective efforts led by NGOs. I can’t wait to dig in!

30/07/2026

14th of July, 6.30AM, Kibale Forest - Uganda.

Yet another unfathomable observation, this time of the Green-Breasted Pitta! This specific Pitta species is a scarce resident of dense lowland forest, its habitat being restricted to only a few countries in the world (Congo, Uganda, Cameroon, CAR, and Gabon)! We saw mostly camera footage from dark places, and assumed we had only a brief morning window to be able to find one. Typically at this time of year , they will display courtship behavior at dawn. They can be challenging to locate, as they are very skulky. Their typical, stunning wing drum sounds resonates through the forest, marking their presence. Absolutely loved observing and sketching this dancing male!! Big thanks to our guide Devis and the other trackers, this was NEVER possible without their expertise 😎✨

27/07/2026

On July 14th, we did something extraordinary.

Uganda is home to a high diversity of primate species, and houses two of the 4 great ape families (excluding humans) in the world; Gorillas and Chimpanzees, both living in primal rainforest reserves. This was a unique opportunity to sketch them from life in their natural habitat.

The experience left a permanent mark on me, and still leaves me searching for words to describe how it feels to observe these close relatives in a largely unexploited, protected environment.

After searching for 30 minutes in Kibale rainforest, we caught up to one of the biggest Chimp communities in the world, which counts nearly 200 individuals, and has been habituated to human presence. In the first half hour we found them on the forest edges, in the open and near thick reeds. There were a lot of tourists lining up to get a glimpse of the chimps, which felt quite like a circus. However, the assigned rangers took quick action and tried dispersing the groups of tourists and were very strict about enforcing perimeters. Then the Chimpanzees starting moving into the deep forest quickly, in search of food. The dry season is challenging as fruits are scarcer, and the apes are continuously on the move.

Our assigned ranger instructed us to follow, and we started a fast paced trek through the forest trying to catch up with the chimps. After some time, it was mind-blowing to see chimps left and right of us walking in parallel. The forest was full of them. Still, we were not allowed to stop walking, as the rangers proactively disperse tourists across the group or anticipate that the chimps will not stop moving yet.

Eventually, we reached a spot where two chimps were sitting still, and we were positioned to observe them. This is when, after being totally stunned by the encounter, I frantically started sketching some poses. The chimps were vocalizing loudly sometimes, and bashing trees to communicate with other group members. Indeed, loud cries always were answered from deep within the forest. It made me realize how many there were.

I felt extremely humbled by the opportunity to do this!

17/07/2026

We had some incredible rainforest trekkings in Uganda so far, focusing heavily on bird and mammal observations. Field conditions are harsh but super rewarding. We were lucky enough to see 2 of the 3 Trogon species of Africa, the Narina Trogon and the Bar-Tailed Trogon (the last one is the Bare-Cheeked Trogon from western central Africa). They remind me so much of their family counterparts of Central America, the resplendent Quetzal.

Watercolors on Fabriano paper (cold-pressed).

09/07/2026

A while ago, I got a very fun commission to work on a seabird watercolour. I kept it very minimal, and loved creating the composition. I will always say yes to an opportunity to paint seabirds, since they are my weakness. They have mighty marine adaption systems; from beaks that filter out salt, over crazy migration capabilities, to impressive aerodynamics and diving abilities.

Some recommended reading on these amazing birds: The Seabird’s Cry by Adam Nicolson.

16/06/2026

Intentionally leaving my erasers on the frame for size comparison. I loved creating this piece in Kenya a little over 2 years ago, as I was so kindly hosted by Adam Bannister Diana House in the Wild

The making of that painting will apear in a YouTube video I have yet to publish on my channel, it’s long overdue. Maintaining a work - life balance is not always easy if you are a perfectionist and someone who wants to learn all the video editing software yourself 😁

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!

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