Artist from The Netherlands
Philip van den Dool is a Dutch artist born in 1950 in The Hague. He currently lives and works in Uithoorn near Amsterdam. Philip van den Dool followed in the 1980s in The Hague, in addition to his work as an engineer, the famous Free Academic art school.
His practice relies in addition to traditional techniques, the use of the iPad as an innovative technology and he uniquely combines digital technology with artistic expression. The bright colours, the fast, direct and clean working with layers, brushes and colours, offers plenty of room to experiment.
On the iPad, Philip draws and paints with an Apple pencil in a personal style. The drawings are built up in layers with a variety of digital brushes and a rich palette of colours. The digital paintings are printed on art paper, acrylate or Canvas on small, medium and large formats. The works of Phlip van den Dool can be characterized as expressive with a lively colour palette and own handwriting. In 2021 he made a unique series of 110 paintings during the Lockdown, with title: Lockdown 2 Spring which shows the climate that year. A summary of these paintings was exhibited during the climate 2022 exhibition in Zwolle (NL) in the Dependence of the Fundatie Museum. In 2019 he received in 2019 the Green Heart Art Prize and in 2024 his art was on display in Palazzo Albrizzi – Capello in Venice during the 60th Biennale.
Statement: ‘From pigment to pixel, creativity on a digital canvas’.
more. www.philipvandendool.nl
INTERVIEW with Philip van den Dool
Carmela Loiacono talks with Philip van den Dool who takes part in the International Art Exhibition NATURAL FLOW – Exploring water’s essence in Matera, at cultural hypogeum Lega Navale Italiana Matera-Magna Grecia.
Carmela Loiacono – Please introduce yourself and talk about the selected artworks: “Jardin de Monet Giverny-3, 4, 5, 6” you presented during the exhibition NATURAL FLOW – Exploring water’s essence.
Philip van den Dool – I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Philip van den Dool. I am a Dutch artist, born in 1950 in The Hague. I pursued my artistic education alongside my career as a physicist-engineer in the 1980s at the Free Academy of Visual Arts in The Hague, where I was taught by inspiring artists. After retiring as an engineer, I dedicated myself further to my artistic pursuits, with a particular interest in the intersection of new technologies and art from an engineer’s perspective.
The introduction of the iPad in 2010 was a catalyst for me to explore this new medium. The direct way of painting, the vast color palette, and the ability to work with layers add a new dimension to two-dimensional art.
For the exhibition in Matera, NATURAL FLOW – Exploring Water’s Essence, I have selected four works from my series Jardin de Monet – Giverny. In June 2024, I had the opportunity to visit this garden, located 100 km west of Paris, which still exudes the same atmosphere found in Monet’s paintings. Based on photos and sketches taken on-site, I have captured my vision of this garden—its magnificent pond, water lilies, and characteristic bridge—on the iPad in my own style. In these digital paintings, water and the reflections of plants, trees, and objects play a crucial role, adding depth to the compositions.
In my iPad paintings, I employ a distinct style using various digital brushes, including dots, lines, and combinations of different forms. This approach creates a sense of depth and movement while maintaining an impressionistic atmosphere focused on light and color rather than rigid details. The combination of abstraction and recognizable elements makes my work contemporary yet also classically inspired.
Carmela Loiacono – How would you describe your creative process? What or who influenced or is influencing your work?
Philip van den Dool – My creative process begins with careful observation on location, followed by sketches and photographs. In my studio, I use these as a foundation to develop the artwork further on the iPad. Intermediate results are reviewed, and accents are adjusted. The iPad allows me to correct mistakes and experiment with new layers. Once the final piece reaches a satisfactory resolution, it is sent to a photo printer or printing service. Prints can be made in both small and large formats. For the Matera exhibition, I have chosen a 30×30 cm format, printed on art paper.
Among the artists who have influenced my work, I would like to mention Vincent van Gogh and David Hockney—one of the first artists to fully embrace the iPad as a painting medium.
Carmela Loiacono – What do you think about shared art on social media? Could it be an alternative way of communicating contemporary art?
Philip van den Dool – Social media offers an alternative way to share contemporary art. I personally use Instagram for this purpose, though I still prefer presenting my artwork in hardcopy form. Social media can be fleeting, and screens too small to fully appreciate the details. Large-format prints and physical presentations have a stronger impact on the viewer. However, a disadvantage of hardcopy prints is the need for international shipping, which comes with logistical challenges and costs. In this regard, digital works have an advantage, as they can be showcased globally without physical transportation.
Carmela Loiacono – What are your future goals and/or projects?
Philip van den Dool – My future goals and projects include various international and national exhibitions, as well as continuing to experiment and create new work. Participating in the Matera exhibition, NATURAL FLOW – Exploring Water’s Essence, aligns perfectly with these ambitions, and I hope to have the opportunity to visit Matera and Puglia and meet dr. Carmela Loiacono in the future.
