Jan Stel (Purmerend, The Netherlands, 1970) started realistic drawing and to illustrate at a young age. He also experimented with traditional calligraphy. Stel pioneered with full color and realistic graffiti murals, ahead of his time, by regularly using no outlines and allowing the colors to blend into each other in an airbrush-like way. He also made oil-paintings inspired by the old masters of yore. This is where it is originated: the expression of realism transformed into his own unique photography style.
Jan Stel is known for having a sharp eye in identifying subtleties in composition, details and tone, the use of sight lines, vanishing points, perspective and overall composition. Stel pays close attention for the right moment to capture the magic play of light and shadow. He believes that the integrity of his shots is found in the pure and intriguing richness of natural light.
