My practice as an oil painter is rooted in observation, but not in a purely descriptive sense. I am interested in how a subject is transformed once it passes through perception — how light, memory, and atmosphere begin to reshape what we see.
I am an Italian-Polish oil painter working primarily with contemporary figurative and landscape painting. My training at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków gave me a strong foundation in classical technique, but over time my work moved toward a more intuitive and expressive approach.
Observation and Interpretation in Oil Painting
Rather than aiming for a precise reproduction of reality, I treat painting as a process of translation. What I see becomes only a starting point. The final image is built through layers of decisions — about structure, contrast, and the weight of light. In this sense, painting is less about capturing a moment and more about constructing a field of perception.
The Role of Light in My Painting Process
Light plays a central role in my work. It is not only a source of visibility but also a structural force that defines space, mood, and emotional tension. A landscape can shift entirely depending on how light is interpreted. Even the most ordinary view can carry a sense of silence or intensity when reduced to its essential relationships.
I often work both en plein air and from photographic references. Each method offers a different kind of information. Direct observation gives immediacy, while photographic material allows for distance and reinterpretation. In both cases, I am not interested in copying, but in building an image that feels condensed and essential.
From Landscape to Contemporary Oil Painting
Alongside landscape painting, I also create commissioned works, including custom pet portrait oil paintings. These works follow the same principles: they are not literal reproductions, but interpretations built through brushwork, texture, and atmosphere. Each portrait is a translation of character rather than just appearance.
For me, oil painting remains a slow and physical process. It is a dialogue between control and uncertainty, where the image develops gradually and often changes direction during the act of painting itself.
In a world of rapid images, I am interested in slowing down perception — in creating paintings that hold attention rather than demand it.
If you are interested in commissioned work, including custom pet portrait oil paintings, you can learn more here: Pet Portrait Commissions.
