As a traditional classical painter, Peter de Waard has a studio in Eindhoven, but he is holding his first exhibition this month in his hometown of Sint-Oedenrode.
Peter de Waard is a traditional painter who is skilled in classical painting. His painting school moved at the beginning of this year from the Achtse Barrier to the Strausslaan in the Genderdal district. After this busy period of relocation, De Waard has its first exhibition. This includes the recently completed work on the subject of the bushfires in Australia. “For a painter there is nothing more beautiful than letting other people enjoy your work.”
“I consider it a great honor that I can now continue this painting school and enjoy it every day. In fact, you always take a look at yourself, because as soon as you create something, you reveal some of your emotion. Creating something is therapy for your soul,” says De Waard.
Rembrandt, Caravaggio and Vermeer
On September 1, 2018, Peter Maas opened a classical painting school in Eindhoven. Until 2021 he taught there to learn how to paint as old masters Rembrandt, Caravaggio and Vermeer could. There are hardly any teachers left who teach this classical craft, not even at the art academies. One of his students was Peter de Waard, who turned out to be a passionate and talented painter. He was also seen on television, in the first episode of the second season of Project Rembrandt. When Maas decided in early 2021 that it was time to enjoy his retirement, he asked De Waard if he wanted to take over the school. In March 2021 De Waard, who at the time still had a busy management job, decided to do so.
Now he is happy to pass the craft on to his students. Some even seek more depth with him after art academy. In addition, he conducts research into almost everything that has to do with the work of the old masters, such as the use of pigments and the quality of the paint systems used. He wants to get better quality paintings and he adapts properties to the desired way of painting.
Workshop in the Button Tower
De Waard: “In 2017 I discovered painting during a workshop by Jan van den Biggelaar, in the Knoptoren in Sint-Oedenrode. There I found out that realistic painting and the works of old masters intrigued me. How did they do that? What techniques did they use? To deepen my knowledge, I then started painting with Peter Maas.”
Old Master Methods
De Waard learned from him the principles of methods used by the old masters. Such as making an imprimatura (a first coat of paint to capture the sketch and apply a neutral color(tone), icing (applying paint thin layer upon layer to create depth) and making homemade pastes and paints according to old recipes. “We also studied and discussed old paintings and compositions. I really learned to look, to distinguish between shape, color and tonal values. In fact, painting and drawing is no different than learning to look in the correct way. Learning to draw sketchily with the right proportions and composition .”