The Next Level

Jacob Dhein uses a wet-into-wet technique to create painterly depictions of a variety of subjects

Lex ooking back, I remember my first exposure as an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. My painting professor, Li Hu, took me to the studio of master painter Daniel Gerhartz for an open studio painting session. It was a truly transformative moment. This experience would be the first time that I saw so many contemporary paintings that were primarily painted in a wet-into-wet technique. I remember the fire and excitement building in me after seeing the beauty that could be achieved by working with transitions and edges in this manner. Henceforth, I knew mastering the wet-into-wet technique would enable me to take my paintings to the next level. My journey started here as an undergraduate and proceeded for many years until now, where I am still experimenting with different ways to perfect it. The following are three pivotal moments in my exploration to mastering this technique that began with my visit to Gerhartz's studio.