Stefan Smit
Stefan Smit, a prominent South African fine artist, is celebrated for his contemporary figurative oil paintings.
His mural work, notable for its use of brushwork on a grand scale, has also garnered widespread acclaim. Smit’s impressive portfolio includes painting a six-story building for Sea Walls and headlining the Cheltenham Paint Festival in England. Residing in Cape Town, he has travelled globally to showcase his talent, including destinations like Sri Lanka, Denmark, London, and Dubai. His art is featured in galleries, prestigious events such as the LA Art Fair, public spaces, and private collections worldwide. Smit’s distinctive style has enabled him to engage in diverse projects, including a notable collaboration with India’s cricket captain, Virat Kohli.
Interview with Stefan Smit
Stefan Smit’s artistic journey began with simple doodles on math homework and playful experiments in Microsoft Paint. These early moments of creative exploration laid the foundation for a thriving career that has seen him transition from hobbyist to full-time artist, with projects and opportunities that span the globe.
In this interview, Stefan Smit shares the story of his growth as an artist, his enduring love for Daler-Rowney oil paints, and the new creative avenues he’s eager to explore, including sculpting. Dive into Stefan’s world and discover his insights, inspirations, and the drive that fuels his artistic journey.
What inspired you to pick up a brush and start painting?
I’ve always been drawn to the creative pursuits. Doodling away on my maths homework, playing around on early Microsoft Paint and just enjoying the process of creating.
When did your love of art start? Did you always want to be an artist?
I’ve always loved art but my idea of becoming a full-time artist only started taking shape after years of creating and gradually getting paid for bigger and bigger projects.
What would be your advice for new artists just starting up?
Follow the passion to create what you love but remember to treat your pursuit with an element of the seriousness that a job requires.
How has social media helped your career?
Instagram has been incredibly helpful in my career. It’s afforded me the opportunity to share my work to a wider audience and in so doing has opened me up to travel and work opportunities I otherwise wouldn’t have been aware of.
What is your favourite Daler-Rowney product and why?
I’d say it’s probably the oil paints because I started out with that product first before even with Daler-Rowney so they hold a special place in my heart.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I’m still figuring that one out! But it starts with a strong desire to create.
What technique you haven't tried yet that you would love to try & why?
I really want to try a bit of sculpting! I’ve never sculpted before but I feel like it would be a very fun thing to pick up.
What inspired you to pick up a brush and start painting?
I’ve always been drawn to the creative pursuits. Doodling away on my maths homework, playing around on early Microsoft Paint and just enjoying the process of creating.
When did your love of art start? Did you always want to be an artist?
I’ve always loved art but my idea of becoming a full-time artist only started taking shape after years of creating and gradually getting paid for bigger and bigger projects.
What would be your advice for new artists just starting up?
Follow the passion to create what you love but remember to treat your pursuit with an element of the seriousness that a job requires.
Products Used
Georgian Traditional Oil Paint
System3 Original Acrylic Paint
System3 Fluid Acrylic Paint
Graduate Multi-Technique XL Brush
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Oils
Georgian Traditional Oil Paint
Georgian Oil paints are traditionally crafted using high-quality triple-milled pigments, resulting in a smooth, buttery consistency and rich colour intensity. These low-odour oils can be applied directly from the tube with a brush or palette knife, or thinned to create delicate glazes. They offer reliable and even drying times, becoming surface dry within 4 to […]LEARN MORE -
Acrylics
System3 Original Acrylic Paint
System3 Original Acrylic paints are versatile, water-based acrylics formulated with high-quality pigments for superior colour intensity and excellent lightfastness. Their soft body consistency makes them ideal for covering large areas while maintaining quick drying times and strong adhesion. With impressive permanence (most colours rated 3 to 4 stars) and flexibility, these paints are suitable for […]LEARN MORE -
Acrylics
System3 Fluid Acrylic Paint
System3 Fluid Acrylics are highly pigmented, high flow formula paints. The thick creamy consistency is ideal for pouring, dripping and all liquid art techniques. The range offers great coverage making it also perfect for murals and other large surface area applications. These highly versatile paints and can be used on many different surfaces and in […]LEARN MORE -
Brushes
Graduate Multi-Technique XL Brush
The Graduate XL Brush range offers oversized brushes specially designed for artists working on large-scale pieces across traditional, mixed media, and urban techniques. With ergonomic, balanced long handles, these brushes provide comfort and control for extensive indoor and outdoor projects. Handmade in the Dominican Republic, the range builds on the popular Graduate collection, delivering professional […]LEARN MORE
How to's & Collaborations
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Stefan Smit x Cheltenham People Paint Festival System3 Fluid Mural
The Cheltenham People Paint Festival, fundraised by individuals and artists, takes place every summer and features muralists and urban artists from all over the world. Over the years, it has become one of the hotspots for urban and street art in the UK. -
Stefan Smit & Chris Valentine x Daler-Rowney
South African artist and muralist Stefan Smit, based in Cape Town, and artist and illustrator Chris Valentine, from Johannesburg, teamed up for the Artist Residency at the Daler-Rowney Headquarters at the end of July. -
Colour Lab
How to make marks in oil with Stefan Smit and Chris Valentine?
Oil colours are traditional? Not in the hands of artists Stefan Smit and Chris Valentine from Johannesburg. Meet them both while they create the 50th anniversary mural of the Hyde Park Hotel: the first large-scale oil mural in South Africa. -
‘Hyde Park’ Stefan Smit and Chris Valentine x Daler-Rowney
Artists Chris Valentine and Stefan Smit, both based in South Africa, bring their distinctive creative backgrounds to a collaborative mural project at Hyde Park in South Africa.
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