EP #21: Thomas W. Schaller | Architecture, Identity & Painting the Human Experience | Wet On Wet Podcast
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Architecture, Identity & Painting the Human Experience
Wet On Wet Podcast
In this expansive and deeply reflective episode of the Wet On Wet Podcast, host Sunil Kalbandi sits down with internationally acclaimed watercolor artist, architect, and author Thomas W. Schaller.
Known globally for his dramatic architectural cityscapes, commanding light-and-shadow contrasts, and emotionally charged interpretations of the built environment, Thomas shares a journey that is as powerful as his paintings.
Born in rural Ohio in the 1950s, raised in a conservative farming culture where artistic ambition was neither encouraged nor understood, Thomas knew from the age of seven that he wanted to become an artist and live in New York City. What seemed like an impossible dream at the time became the quiet compass guiding his life.
This episode explores how discovering books featuring American masters such as Edward Hopper and Georgia O’Keeffe opened his imagination — not just to art, but to the idea that one could live as an artist.
Rather than pursuing fine art immediately, Thomas chose architecture as a practical path — a decision that would later become foundational to his artistic voice. Architecture gave him structure, discipline, design thinking, and an understanding that buildings are not objects, but containers of human stories.
After decades of professional success in architecture and architectural illustration, Thomas made the courageous decision in his 50s to redefine himself as a full-time fine artist.
This was not a leap into overnight success. It was a disciplined transition marked by rejection, persistence, reinvention, and self-definition.
At its core, this conversation is about designing your own life.
About Thomas W. Schaller
Website: https://www.thomasschaller.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomaswschaller
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomaswschaller
X (Twitter): https://x.com/twschaller
Profession: Watercolor Artist, Architect, Author
Based in: New York City, USA
Known For
• Dramatic architectural cityscapes
• Strong structural drawing and perspective
• Emotional storytelling through urban environments
• Masterful graded washes and edge control
• Blending architecture with human narrative
Thomas’s work is widely exhibited internationally, and he is recognized as one of the leading voices in contemporary architectural watercolor.
Themes & Conversations in This Episode
Painting the Human Experience
Thomas emphasizes that he does not paint buildings as objects. Instead, he paints the emotional experience of architecture. Cities, in his view, are living organisms — containers of culture, history, ambition, fear, and hope.
A bridge is not just a structure — it is movement and transition.
A church is not just a building — it carries spiritual resonance.
A cityscape is not geometry — it is human narrative.
Intention Before Technique
Before beginning any painting, Thomas asks four critical questions:
- What is my intention?
- How should I compose this?
- What is the value structure?
- What is the color story?
This clarity of intention ensures that technique serves emotion — not the other way around.
Value Does the Work. Color Gets the Credit.
One of the most important insights in this episode is Thomas’s belief that value design carries the emotional weight of a painting.
He simplifies his paintings into three primary value groups:
• Light
• Midtone
• Dark
Color enhances the story, but without strong value structure, even the most beautiful color palette falls flat.
The Power of Zooming In
A recurring compositional principle discussed in this episode is proximity.
Thomas explains that many paintings fail because the artist stands too far back.
Zooming in often creates intimacy, tension, and emotional immediacy.
Cropping decisions can dramatically change the narrative strength of a painting.
Drawing as Creative Wiring
Drawing is not about perfection — it is about connection.
Thomas describes drawing as the direct wire between creative impulse and paper. Comfort with drawing allows ideas to move quickly and authentically without hesitation.
Perspective may sometimes be bent or adjusted intentionally to increase energy or expression.
Wash Technique & Gravity
Thomas is known for his graded wash mastery.
Key elements of his approach:
• Painting on a sloped easel (40–45 degrees)
• Using gravity intentionally
• Allowing transitions from sky to city to ground
• Using water generously
• Holding watercolor “with a soft fist” — control without rigidity
Transparency and depth are central to his approach.
Authenticity Over Imitation
Thomas speaks candidly about the danger of comparison.
No one can paint like him.
But more importantly — no one can paint like you.
Defining yourself as an artist before you “deserve” the title is a necessary act of self-belief.
Overcoming Failure & Bad Paintings
Bad paintings are inevitable.
Thomas does not dwell on them.
He does not analyze them endlessly.
He simply begins again.
If the idea is strong but the painting fails, he revisits the idea with a new composition or perspective.
Persistence replaces perfectionism.
Social Media & Authenticity
Thomas maintains his own social media presence.
He prefers authenticity over polish.
He values interaction over spectacle.
While acknowledging both the reach and toxicity of digital platforms, he emphasizes staying grounded and real.
AI & The Future of Art
The episode closes with an honest discussion about artificial intelligence.
Thomas acknowledges the usefulness of AI in research and information gathering but expresses concern about:
• Image theft
• Ethical misuse
• AI-generated art entering juried shows
• Loss of authorship
He believes human emotional input will always remain essential.
Materials & Studio Practice
Paper
• Arches Rough (140 lb / 300 gsm)
• BaoHong Masters Rough
• Fabriano
• Saunders
• Select handmade papers
He generally prefers 140 lb paper for luminosity and pigment vibrancy.
Paint
• Daniel Smith Professional Watercolors
• Holbein
• Schmincke (including granulating pigments)
He prefers sediment-based pigments over dye-based or honey-heavy formulations.
Brushes
• NEAF Synthetic Mop Brushes
• Escoda Perla & Versatil Flats
Working Method
• Sloped easel
• Heavy use of graded washes
• Frequent sketchbook planning
• Smaller works completed in one sitting
• Larger exhibition works may take multiple days