Ben Fenske Nude Drawings and Watercolors
One of the foremost American Impressionists of the 21st century, artist Ben Fenske is known for his bold, energetic brushstrokes and signature use of vivid colors. His figurative paintings, still-lifes and interiors are flooded with warm natural light and dazzle in their wealth of blues, greens and soft violets.
Born in 1978, Fenske grew up in the small rural town of St. Joseph, Minnesota. His interest in art began at an early age. When he was 12 years old, Fenske would spend a minimum of two hours each day drawing and painting, working with charcoal, watercolors, acrylics and pastels. His passion for art broadened in high school, leading him to attend the Minnesota River School of Fine Art at age 18. There, he studied under artists including Joseph Paquet and Darren Rousar.
Following a brief stint as a graphic designer, Fenske studied in Minneapolis at the Bougie Studio, learning figure drawing and cast drawing from artist Peter Bougie. Later, when he was in his early 20s, Fenske decided to go to Florence, Italy, to study painting and drawing at the Florence Academy of Art.
While in Florence, Fenske became inspired by French Impressionism of the 19th and 20th centuries as well as Old Masters paintings and Russian and Soviet art — notably the works of brothers Aleksei and Sergei Tkachev.
For more than a decade, Fenske divides his time between Sag Harbor, New York, and Italy’s Tuscan hills, where he draws inspiration for his landscapes from the surrounding countryside. In addition to his paintings, Fenske has a considerable portfolio of portrait drawings and nude sketches. He has also delved into figurative sculpture, such as the bronze Wild Boar, which he created with artist Richard Zinon.
Fenske regularly exhibits throughout the United States, including annually at the Grenning Gallery in the Hamptons. In 2016, he participated in the “BP Portrait Award Exhibition” at the National Portrait Gallery in London. He was also named by American Artist magazine as one of the “Best 25 Living Artists” in 2012.
On 1stDibs, find a range of Ben Fenske paintings, drawings and sculptures.
Early 2000s Academic Ben Fenske Nude Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Charcoal
21st Century and Contemporary Academic Ben Fenske Nude Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Charcoal
19th Century Academic Ben Fenske Nude Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Carbon Pencil
Early 20th Century Academic Ben Fenske Nude Drawings and Watercolors
Charcoal, Pencil
Early 19th Century Academic Ben Fenske Nude Drawings and Watercolors
Charcoal, Paper, Pencil
Late 19th Century Academic Ben Fenske Nude Drawings and Watercolors
Gesso, Paper, Charcoal, Carbon Pencil
1890s Academic Ben Fenske Nude Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor, Laid Paper
Early 20th Century Academic Ben Fenske Nude Drawings and Watercolors
Charcoal, Pencil
Early 19th Century Academic Ben Fenske Nude Drawings and Watercolors
Charcoal, Pencil, Paper
Early 19th Century Academic Ben Fenske Nude Drawings and Watercolors
Charcoal, Paper, Pencil
1980s Academic Ben Fenske Nude Drawings and Watercolors
Archival Paper, Conté
19th Century Academic Ben Fenske Nude Drawings and Watercolors
Pencil, Paper
1950s Post-War Ben Fenske Nude Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Charcoal
2010s Academic Ben Fenske Nude Drawings and Watercolors
Conté
