Olivia Quintin

Olivia Quintin is a French artist based in Vannes, Brittany. She spent her childhood in Saint-Malo, involved in drawing and creative making like knitting and sewing. It was only when she met her husband, pastel artist Alain Fortier, that she became interested in the world of art. Alain’s style is incredibly slow and painstaking and Olivia soon came to realise that they were complete opposites in character and mark making.

Olivia was attracted to watercolors of landscapes and seascapes. And so she decided to try the medium. She loved the lightness and transparency of watercolour. On the same day she tried it, she bought everything she needed to carry on and although her bank balance complained, she never looked back. Ever since that day she has painted in watercolour.

Olivia’s home on the Gulf of Morbihan has informed her choice of subject matter, colours and markmaking. From her first paintings of Brittany, Belle Ile en mer and seascapes, she went on to paint fish, seabirds and her cats. She then went on to paint flowers as expressions of her feelings. She is also a portrait artist.

Olivia believes that the most difficult thing about painting is staying free with the painting. She uses wet in wet techniques, washes, intense colours and loose effects. Olivia Quintin teaches watercolour workshops.

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