Hyper-realistic art: this is the essence of the work of Thomas Thijssen. This award-winning artist uses various techniques: drawing with charcoal, painting with oil paint, photography and tattooing. With his pencil, brush or needle he manages to capture a person’s soul and portrays it lifelike. At first sight, people often mistake his portrait drawings for a photo.

 

Thomas discovered his talent during the corona pandemic. Since he had more time available, he decided to pick up his old hobby: as a child he liked to draw. His hobby turned out to be a passion: he lost all sense of time and could focus for hours on drawing or painting. “It's almost magical.” His talent was recognized immediately and his first portrait won his first award. Meanwhile, he has participated in several exhibitions and has appeared in the TV program Stars on Canvas (“Sterren op het Doek”), where he portrays international football coach Ronald Koeman. Although he enjoys to show his work, he prefers to create new art: then he really gets into a flow.

 

Thomas' background as a photographer comes in handy in his work as an artist. His portrait photos are intriguing and went all over the world. He was named one of the top five black and white photographers worldwide by Digital Photo Magazine.

 

Thomas likes to keep developing  as an artist. Not only does he make un-commissioned work with charcoal and oil paint, but also commissioned portraits. In addition, he works as a tattoo artist: the Tattoo Boss (“Tattoo Baas”), where he creates unique works of art on skin with his premium concept. In doing so, he sticks to his strength: hyper-realistic art.