Canvas, Colors and Live-Paintings
The Process behind the Creation
"His art appeals to emotions and invites viewers to engage with the depicted personalities on a deeper level."
Cityglow Artmagazine

Over the past years, Felix has developed and continuously improved his creative process to such an extent that he has managed to build a complete live performance for his enthusiastic viewers. In this performance, one can follow exactly how each individual step of his creative phase transforms from the first brushstroke into a full-fledged painting with a final signature.
The foundation of every process is first the material. Acrylic paints with high color brilliance are the main carriers. They make the paintings shine in every imaginable color within his distinctive style. Spray paints, chalk markers, and markers complement this effect and contribute to the complexity and diversity of Felix's art.
These are applied on a canvas stretched with linen, which the artist constructs himself from individual wooden slats and linen fabric to his desired size. Brushes and spatulas of various lengths, widths, and shapes are always used individually to depict large areas and tiny details. While brushes are his choice for smooth transitions, soft shading, and flowing forms, spatulas are used for intense color coverage and sharp edges.
The choice of the final motif of the artwork is influenced by various events. Sometimes it is an urge from his own emotions that he wants to express and share with the public, but channeled into a representative that best reflects this emotional world in Felix's eyes. Other times, it is the desire to honor a very specific person or color. And occasionally, it is pure coincidence— a photo or a song on the radio, a TV segment, or meeting other people— that can ignite a spark of creativity, which can only be extinguished through its realization. Once this decision is made, an image immediately forms in his mind: the placement of the person within the picture, the needed colors, and their distribution between the face and the background. During the process, this vision can also expand.
"I often see the images fully painted in my mind before I even sit in front of the canvas. Sometimes even in my dreams. I wake up, immediately sketch them onto a piece of paper, and write down the colors I saw."
In most cases, the artist begins by sketching his chosen portrait onto the canvas using charcoal. The drawing is created freehand, with one or more photographs of the person to be painted serving as references and guides. Over time, the painter has moved away from the usual guidelines, such as a circle with a cross to help position facial features, and initially sketches the rough outlines, gradually working towards smaller details. This approach makes his images feel more human and organic, and less technical.
The first application of acrylic paint is for the rough contours and shadow strokes. Afterwards, the remaining colors are added, and transitions are refined. The multiple layers of paint not only allow different colors to show through each other, creating a transparent effect, but also provide actual three-dimensionality, utilizing the multifaceted depth of an original artwork.
The background, clear contours, as well as the addition of quotes, symbols, extra figures, or similar elements, are created in the final phase of a painting. During this process, however, there is a lot of back-and-forth between all elements, and no clear line is followed from top left to bottom right. Instead, each feature is carefully considered in terms of how it influences the overall composition and whether it helps guide the viewer smoothly through the artwork, or causes the eye to linger on one spot or miss certain passages altogether due to a lack of a clear visual thread.
Some special techniques in his paintings include the use of various methods, such as the "Drop-Paint" technique. In this method, Felix places the canvas flat on the ground, dips the end of a brush into a bucket of paint, and lets it move about 30 centimeters above the canvas or a specific point. This creates a certain randomness, as the artist relinquishes control—now the paint has a say in where it goes. Another technique he employs is the "Water-Pour" method. Again, the canvas is on the ground, and water is poured over it. The paint is then applied or thrown onto the wet surface, merging uncontrollably. The use of everyday materials like spray bottles, sponges, or stencils adds a rich texture to his work.
Live, all these fragments are combined to create an unparalleled show that demonstrates how Felix is in harmony with his art and understands how the significance of color can harmonize with the complexity of human anatomy. His performances are entertaining and exciting, offering deep insights into his creative process.
© 2025 Felix Martin. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.