“Being an artist implies traveling thousands of miles, art must be taken out of the studio”

Artist Sergio Ribeiro was born in Lisboa, Portugal, and moved to Spain at a young age. His passion for art started when he was a little boy, his father and grandfather were craftsmen. Later, he had several art teachers and his passion for art encouraged him to travel and discover new cities: Roma, Paris, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Florence, Marrakesh, Berlin, Madrid and more.

Portrait by Sergio Ribeiro /  80×60 cm from series “Mujeres en intimidad” (image shared by artist)

Ribeiro learned different techniques and discovered his preferred mediums: oil and acrylic painting. His work combines movements such as expressionism and impressionism, and his life experiences also influence his work. This talented artist has earned several awards in speed painting contests and has participated in different exhibitions around the globe. 

In this Q&A artist Sergio Ribeiro shares with PoseSpace what he loves about oil painting, what life experiences have influenced his work and shares great tips for young artists interested in speed painting: 

You were interested in art since you were a little boy, and tried different mediums. What motivated you to be particularly interested in oil and acrylic painting?

When I work in the studio I like to use oil applying a bit of alchemy; when I paint live or when I go to speed painting competitions—something usual in Spain—, I paint with acrylic because of the ease of drying, although I don’t always do it, sometimes I use oil. If you give me a choice, I keep the oil. It is brighter and more durable in time. Acrylic colors usually lose tone and shine when dry, but, with a finishing varnish, they can be recovered again.

You have traveled and visited many countries and cities. Do you remember any particular experience or anecdote that has influenced your artistic work?

Being an artist implies traveling thousands of miles, art must be taken out of the studio. Participating in speed painting competitions and art fairs have given me the possibility of touring many countries, cities, and towns. I remember, with special affection, my participation in the Art Shopping Carrousell du Louvre in 2017 (Paris). It was a pleasant experience, full of glamor and passion for art. It changed the way I approach the work that comes after the creation of an artwork. It was also the best way to see in situ what is being done today worldwide.

You have created groups for artists. Why do you think it is important to have these communities?

It could be summarized in one word: Sharing. The idea of creating groups of artists was born after seeing that there is a lot of individualism and secrecy and little desire to help those who start. Having a group of artists gives me the possibility to share my acquired knowledge, after years of experience, and, at the same time, learn from all my colleagues. Also, having a group of artists allows you to develop educational and informative activities, organize collective exhibitions, pictorial meetings, competitions, art magazines, and endless activities.

What do you think of www.posespace.com?

I love it and I recommend it whenever I can. For an artist, it is not always easy to have a live model. At www.posespace.com you have a wide and great variety of models with many possibilities and download options, high-quality image and in large formats; essential things for artists who like to see all the details, nuances, etc.

Painting practice by Sergio Riberio inspired by Jesse014 (image shared by artist)


What contemporary artists do you admire?

I like many, but I could highlight the techniques of  Tibor Nagy or Jeremy Mann and I like the ideas of Banksy.

What life experiences have influenced your work?

I think that life itself is already a worthwhile experience, and the experiences that we accumulate over time are reflected in your work. Therefore, the more intense and enriching your life is, the more authentic your work will be. Two experiences that changed my life were: a traffic accident left me in a wheelchair and the other was to do the Camino de Santiago.

You have won speed painting contests. Can you share some tips for young artists who are interested in this technique?

Speed painting contests are like intensive training art schools. Many tricks are learned and ideas are shared, seen and copied.

Live painting is the best school for an artist. I recommend participating in these competitions and not giving up after the first failure, because at the beginning it is a bit hard to create a large-format artwork in just a working day, but with practice and a little patience it is achieved. The best advice is daily work and perseverance.

Artist Sergio Ribeiro painting in Vilanova de Arousa, in Galicia, Spain (photo gallery)

What are your next goals?

Although I feel fulfilled as a person, there are always goals that I set every now and then and that should never be lacking in someone’s life. Setting goals helps me move forward. You must always have dreams to fulfill. I would like to have a residence for artists. A big building with industrial warehouses. A huge place that serves as a workplace, a space to train new artists in different disciplines and for seasoned artists, a space to exhibit. A place that is avant-garde but above all that is extensive. The eternal problem of artists: space. In Germany they have taken advantage of old industrial areas as areas of contemporary art, locations to create, test new trends.

Sergio Ribeiro’s website: www.sergioribeiro.es

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/s.gonzalez.ribeiro

Interview by Andrea Miliani


Spanish Interview (original version)

Desde niño se interesó en el arte y conoció distintos medios. ¿Qué lo motivó a interesarse particularmente en el óleo y la pintura acrílica?

Cuando trabajo en el estudio me gusta usar óleo aplicando un poco de alquimia, cuando pinto al natural o cuando voy a concursos de pintura rápida, algo habitual en España,  pinto con acrílico por la facilidad de secado, aunque no siempre lo hago, hay veces que uso óleo . Si me das a elegir, me quedo con el óleo. Es más luminoso y duradero.en el tiempo. Los colores acrílicos suelen perder tono y brillo con el secado, aunque con un barniz de acabado se pueden volver a recuperar.

Ha recorrido muchos países y ciudades. ¿Recuerda alguna experiencia o anécdota en particular que haya influenciado su trabajo artístico?

Ser artista implica recorrer miles de kilómetros, el arte hay que sacarlo del estudio. Participar en Concursos de pintura rápida y en ferias de arte me ha dado la posibilidad de recorrer infinidad de países, ciudades y pueblos. Recuerdo con especial cariño mi participación en Art Shopping Carrousell du Louvre en el año 2017 (Paris). Fue un grata experiencia, llena de glamour y pasión por el arte. Supuso un cambio en mi forma de enfocar el trabajo que hay después de la creación de una obra y la mejor manera de ver in situ lo que se está haciendo a día de hoy  a nivel mundial.

Ha creado grupos para artistas. ¿Por qué le parece importante construir estos espacios?

Se podría resumir en una sola palabra: Compartir. La idea de crear grupos de artistas, nace después de ver que existe mucho individualismo y secretismo y pocas ganas de ayudar a los que empiezan. Tener un grupo de artistas me da la posibilidad de compartir mis conocimientos adquiridos con los años de trabajo y a la vez, aprender de todos los compañeros. Además, tener un grupo de artistas te permite desarrollar actividades formativas e informativas, organizar exposiciones colectivas, reuniones pictóricas, concursos, revista de arte y un sinfín de actividades en conjunto.

¿Qué piensa de nuestro sitio www.posespace.com?

Me encanta y la recomiendo  siempre que puedo. Para un artista no siempre es fácil disponer de un/a modelo al natural y en www.posespace.com tienes una amplia y gran variedad de modelos con muchas posibilidades de trabajo y opciones de descarga, gran calidad de imagen y en formatos de gran tamaño, cosas imprescindibles para artistas que nos gusta ver todos los detalles, los matices, etc.

¿Qué artistas contemporáneos admira?

Me gustan muchos, pero podría destacar las técnicas de Tibor Nagy o Jeremy Mann y me gustan las ideas de Banksy.

¿Qué experiencias de vida han marcado su trabajo?

Creo que la vida de por sí ya es una experiencia que merece la pena  y esas vivencias que vamos acumulando con el paso del tiempo quedan reflejadas en tu obra. Por lo tanto, cuanto más intensa e enriquecedora sea tú vida más cargada de autenticidad será tu obra. Dos experiencias que marcaron mi vida fueron:  un accidente de tráfico me dejó en una silla de ruedas y la otra fue hacer el Camino de Santiago.

Ha ganado concursos de pintura rápida. ¿Puede compartir algunos consejos para los jóvenes artistas que se interesan en esta técnica?

Los concursos de pintura rápida son como escuelas de arte intensiva. Se aprenden muchos trucos, se comparten ideas, se ve y se copia.

Pintar del natural es la mejor escuela para un artista. Recomiendo participar en estos concursos y no abandonar al primer fracaso, porque al principio cuesta un poco resolver una obra de gran formato en una jornada de trabajo, pero con la práctica y un poco de paciencia se consigue. El mejor consejo es,  trabajo diario y constancia.

¿Cuáles son sus próximas metas?

A pesar de que me siento realizado como persona, siempre quedan objetivos que me marco cada poco tiempo y que nunca deben faltar en una persona. Marcarse objetivos me ayuda a seguir adelante. Siempre debes de tener sueños que cumplir. Me gustaría tener una residencia para artistas. Un gran edificio, con naves industriales. Un sitio enorme, que sirva de lugar de trabajo, un espacio para formar a artistas noveles en diferentes disciplinas y para artistas consolidados, un espacio para exponer. Un lugar que sea  vanguardia pero sobre todo que sea grande. El eterno problema de los artistas: el espacio. En Alemania han sabido aprovechar las viejas zonas industriales como zonas de arte contemporánea, donde crear, poner a prueba las nuevas tendencias. 

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