SOLO EXHIBITION
SOLO EXHIBITION
SOLO EXHIBITION
The World's Leading Contemporary Fine Art Gallery
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The World's Leading Contemporary Fine Art Gallery
Annik
Janssens
BELGIUM
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“Annik strives to convert her passion for animals into realistic portraits where she tries to approach the character of the animal as much as possible.”
Ever since she was a little toddler all she wanted to do was draw 'critters'. However, shortly after her training as a graphic designer, she put the pencils aside and took a completely different path professionally. Until a few years ago someone asked her if she wanted to make a portrait of his dog, then a second portrait followed, and she has been unstoppable ever since.
Look at this dreamy look! What would this gentle giant think of? What would he dream of?
Free reference photo : Sylvia Heider
AWARD : MERIT PRIZE WINNER -4th Animal Contest 2022 - ART SHOW INTERNATIONAL
Annik spends as much time as possible outdoors, preferably in the forest where she observes and photographs nature in peace and quiet. She lives in the countryside in Belgium where she is surrounded by four dogs, cats and horses.
I was immediately fascinated by the gentle gaze of this lion. This mighty magnificent animal, known to all as the king of the jungle, is having a hard time. Due to habitat loss and hunting, their numbers have declined by 40% over the past 20 years. But in his gaze there is no anger, no revenge, but HOPE.
Free reference photo : Winkelmann
AWARD : BEST IN SHOW - Category Traditional - FUSION ART EXHIBITION 2022
Her whole life revolves around animals. During her vacations Annik goes on nature trips in order to get inspiration for her works and to take pictures which she can use for her drawings.
“She prefers pictures that show a certain state of mind or emotion of the animal.”
She always starts a painting by drawing the eyes, she thinks the eyes are the most important part in a portrait by the way, whether it is a dog or an elephant, the eyes are the mirror of the soul. That’s why she always chooses reference photos in which the eyes are visible.
“She forgets time and bask in her work, beautiful music in the background, blissful drawing is her greatest love of all, she wouldn’t want to do anything else for days on end.”
For the bottom layers she uses soft pastels or pan pastels. The next layers she draws with pastel pencils of different brands, from hard to soft pencils. Usually if there is a background provided, she applies it at the end. The most common format she uses is 16 x 20 inches or 12 x 16 inches. Other sizes are of course possible, but she likes these proportions.
I love wolves very much. I have been lucky enough to observe them in the wild several times already. They are beautiful, smart and very sociable within their pack. I have already drawn several wolves and so this one had to be here..
Reference photo Rinke van Brenkelen
“All her life she has had a huge passion for animals and everything that has to do with nature.”
For this artwork I used part of a photo made by a photographer friend (Laurent Malbrecq). The original picture shows this mother fox and her cubs. I was fascinated by her look that seems to say: “stay away from my little ones, I am watching you…”
Annik has a full-time job in addition to drawing, so she can only draw in her spare time. But as soon as she puts herself behind the drawing board, she leaves all the busyness and stress behind her. It is like she enters a kind of trance.
Since I have had the good fortune to observe the “Ghost of the forest” twice in the wild, during my trips to Belarus, I find these animals even more fascinating.
They are one of the hardest mammals to spot in Europe, but once you've seen them, you never forget that image!
Free reference photo by Kaz
Many people ask her for a portrait of a pet, sometimes a deceased animal, and then she sometimes have to make do with pictures of poor quality. In that case she is required to work with multiple reference photos of the animal. Not always easy, sometimes a real challenge.
These two girls are Pure Bred Arabians. When you treat these horses with kindness and respect, in my opinion, they are the best horses ever. I love to keep them, to work with them, they are just fantastic!!!
Reference photo is of myself
When she delivers the portrait to the owner these are often very moving moments. This is always the icing on the cake for her, by the way, when she sees how happy people are with the drawing of their beloved quadruped.
Everything started with a dogportrait a friend asked me to make. Then a second portrait was followed and now I’m unstoppable. I like to do commissions of people's pets.. When I then deliver the portrait to the owner these are often very moving moments.
This is always the icing on the cake for me, by the way, when I see how happy people are with the drawing of their beloved animal.
Reference photo is of myself
“I always do my best to draw the animal as truthfully as possible.”
Most people are not surprised by a chicken. But if you take the time to observe them, they are actually very funny animals. More than worth the effort to make a drawing of it.
Free reference photo Pexels
There are several reasons why people ask her for a portrait of their beloved pet. It could be a ceremonial gift, a Christmas present, a valentine’s gift or to have a nice memory.
I like walking in nature and admire all the beauty I am surrounded with. Especially during the summer months, I am fascinated by the variety of wild flowers, so I immortalised them in this pastelwork.
Reference photo is of myself
Annik does also wildlife drawings on commission. No matter what kind of animal, she always sets to work with great enthusiasm. Annik’s love and interest for nature is not only limited to the animals that live in it, she is also enormously fascinated by landscapes.
Overwhelmed by all the beauty of wild flowers in summer, I made a more 'abstract' work in which all the colours are reflected.
Reference photo is of myself