Aleksander T. Szczurek is a watercolor artist born in Krakow to a family with a long tradition of artistic practice, even though he never received formal art training. He works as a scientist at the University of Oxford (2018–present).

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During his early hikes in the Carpathian Mountains as a young teenager, he discovered his deep connection to nature. After an injury forced him to abandon alpine climbing, a passion he had pursued for over a decade, watercolour painting became the medium through which he continues to channel his adventurous spirit.

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Balancing an academic career with a love of nature, travel, and long-distance cycling, Aleksander draws his primary inspiration from the outdoors, striving to convey its beauty through his paintings. He is an avid plein-air landscape painter who works with a minimalist watercolour setup, and enjoys seeking out compelling subjects that offer both visual and technical challenges.

 

Among his favourite subjects are weather, seasonal changes, shadows, foliage, water, and architecture. Given the “on-the-go” nature of his practice, he favors smaller formats, from postcard size to half sheet, and rarely spends more than two hours on a piece. “No other medium offers the freedom and speed needed to capture ever-changing light and weather on site,” he says.

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Through his approach, Aleksander’s work encourages a fresh appreciation of the natural world, capturing moments of beauty in both familiar and surprising settings - something that he eagerly shares with others.

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Sneak peek into the Studio:

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Brushes:

Paul Rubens Esprit 818, size 4

Escoda Perla Synthetic, size 14

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Paper:

Saunders Waterford, cold pressed, 300g, cotton rough

Cheap (Pepco), cellulose, smooth

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Paints:

Winsor & Newton​

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Favourite contemporary watercolorists

Michal Jasiewicz

Paul Talbott-Greaves

Andrii Kovalyk

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