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Ep 05: Sebastian Thommen – How Painting Changed My Life

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Welcome to Wet on Wet, the podcast where we explore inspiring artist journeys and creative breakthroughs. In this episode, host Sunil Kalbandi speaks with plein air painter, actor, and creative spirit Sebastian Thommen, whose story is anything but traditional. From running a gourmet food truck with watercolor coffee cups to painting on Irish coastlines from a camper van, Sebastian proves that art can bloom even through chaos. Discover how a VHS tape, a fishing rod, and a personal crisis shaped one of Ireland’s most soulful plein air watercolorists.

Quotes:

“The real gift isn’t talent. It’s being able to stare at the same tree for an hour and still feel wonder.”
“Art helped me rebuild my life when I lost my home, job, and partner.”
“You can’t do good paintings if you’re afraid of bad ones. I want to see the bad ones.”
“Ireland’s weather teaches you speed and honesty in your painting.”
“Your style finds you. Not the other way around.”
“When I paint outside, I’m not just painting a scene. I’m recording a memory, a smell, a conversation.”
“Painting outdoors forces you to simplify. That’s how you grow.”
“I used to think painting outside was for show-offs. Now I know—it’s where the real learning happens.”
“Sometimes, a painting sells not because it’s perfect, but because it carries a story.”
“Instagram is great, but the real connections happen through shared experiences and email conversations.”
“Brushes are handy. But give me good paint and paper, and I’ll make it work—even with my fingers.”
“There’s something healing about driving with your art gear, pulling over, and painting clouds from the car.”
“Teaching others rekindles the fire in me. When someone else lights up—it lights me up.”
“Watercolor artists are the nicest people. Maybe because we all know how brutally hard it is.”

Selected Links from the Episode

Products / Brands / Tools Mentioned

Brushes

Paints

Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors – https://www.danielsmith.com

Paper

Sketching Tools

Editing & Recording Gear

Bonus Tip

Inspirations & Mentors

Tags:
Sebastian Thommen, Wet On Wet Podcast, Plein Air Watercolor, Watercolor Painting, Artist Interview, Creative Journey, Painting Outdoors, Art Inspiration, Watercolor Tips, Watercolor Community, Sebastian Thommen Art, Sunil Kalbandi, Watercolor Life, Painting Ireland, Daniel Smith Watercolors, Escoda Brushes, Arches Watercolor Paper, Baohong Paper, Plein Air Tips, Art Transformation, Watercolor Wisdom, Simplify Your Painting, Painting With Emotion, Creative Breakthroughs

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