Cleopatra
Johan Peter Lems, born in 1955 in Delft, the Netherlands, has led a life deeply enriched by creativity, exploration, and imagination. Now retired and living in Oostburg, Zeeland since 2008, Johan continues to pursue his lifelong passion for art, finding new ways to express himself through drawing and painting.
His early years were spent in cities like Rotterdam, Alblasserdam, Papendrecht, and Noordeloos, where he lived for 33 years.
As a child, Johan was always sketching or painting, immersed in the visual world. While life eventually led him away from traditional media, his artistic spark never faded.
He later returned to visual work through digital means, contributing to the development of computer games—combining his love for art and technology.
A few years ago, Johan reignited his connection with drawing on paper.
Determined to refine his skills, he dedicated five years to intensive portrait drawing lessons.
Today, his works span a variety of styles and subjects, including detailed portraiture, whimsical cartoons, surrealistic scenes, and evocative landscapes.
He primarily works with graphite, charcoal, Faber-Castell Polychromos, soft pastels, and pastel pencils. Recently, he has taken up painting once more, and is now venturing into watercolor portraiture.
Arabic girl
Johan often draws inspiration from his imagination, as well as visionary artists like Salvador Dalí, H.R. Giger, and Zdzisław Beksiński. He also finds occasional creative sparks through Pinterest.
One of his signature techniques is the exploration of chiaroscuro, the dramatic interplay of light and dark, which adds emotional depth and atmosphere to his work.
He is currently participating in Inktober 52 – 2025, a weekly creative challenge where artists receive one prompt every Thursday to create an ink drawing. In addition, he is preparing submissions for a Jan Mankes-themed drawing competition, creating works that blend technical mastery with personal interpretation.
Don Quichotte
Although Johan is not active on social media, he shares his passion for art by giving classical drawing lessons every Monday.
In September, he will begin a five-year program at an academy in Belgium to further deepen his painting experience and continue his artistic evolution.
Art for Johan is more than a pastime—it is a journey. “It is important to create your own unique style,” he says, emphasizing individuality and self-expression.
The Rainmaker
Whether through digital game development, classical drawing, or the fluid transparency of watercolors, Johan Peter Lems continues to explore and redefine what it means to be an artist at every stage of life.
Greetings Peter Lems
https://peteart.exto.nl/
https://onlinekunstenaars.nl/kunstenaars/kunstenaar/?id=4119
Jan Mankes owl 1913.
Jan Mankes self portrait
