Interview with Ralvin Dizon

July is Watercolor Month on our Customer Engagement Calendar so we connected with talented watercolor artist Ralvin Dizon for an interview. He spoke to us about how life in the Philippines inspires his art, what his daily schedule is like as an artist, and how he has stayed engaged throughout his career. Check out the interview below!

Where are you from and where do you currently reside?

I have been living in the Philippines in the province of Rizal for almost five years and I am originally from Pampanga, also one of the provinces of the Philippines.

What drew you to working with watercolors, and how did it feel when you did it for the first time?

The first medium I used was ballpoint pens, but I noticed that the ink faded slightly over time. I then discovered watercolors from some acquaintances who were really talented in this field. I was also drawn to them because they’re more convenient and easier to carry than other mediums. Using watercolors was very difficult for me at first, you need to study them well before they can be effective.

As a professional artist, what does your day-to-day look like?

As a freelancer, I get up in the morning, have breakfast, and then start painting while drinking coffee. I work about 5 to 6 hours a day, sometimes I work overtime for urgent jobs. It can be tiring, especially when I’m working in detail. It’s mentally exhausting but it’s fun, so all the weariness goes away when you see the results of your hard work.

What has kept you engaged and committed to your craft over the years?

It’s fun and challenging to make detailed paintings. The subjects of my paintings also keep me going, which are about the daily lives of Filipinos. They portray the reality of how a country and its people move. My paintings are often seen by my clients and they can relate. They say that when you show the concept you want to show, and your audience sees it clearly, you have succeeded.

How have you grown as an artist in the past five years and what are the major contributing factors to your growth?

I believe that an artist shouldn’t stop discovering and growing, even if they are already talented in the field. I have learned a lot not only in five years but in the past 15 years. I have further intensified my observation of things as a subject. I think social media and the art community here have played a big part in my growth also. I meet different artists in the country and get inspired. The art communities in the Philippines are more active now than ever before. You can meet new friends and colleagues to share ideas, techniques, and information. Also, when there was no internet, it was difficult to get information. Now if you have a question about art, you can google it.

What materials do you most commonly use?

Ballpoint pen was the first medium I used and how I became known in the artistic community that I belong to. Then I switched to watercolor, and that has been my medium of choice since 2016. I also occasionally use oil, acrylic, and graphite.

Do you have any advice for up-and-coming watercolor artists? Are there any tips or techniques you can offer?

Just create and create, don’t listen to people who say that there is no money in art. The most important thing is that you are happy with what you are doing. There will come a day when everything you have worked hard for will bear fruit. Just be patient and improve each painting you produce.

One of the most important tips when painting with watercolors is that the paper and brush have to be chosen correctly. The paper is the most important thing. The brush is second and the paint is third.