When I was a student, I studied design at Musashino Art University. After that, I worked as a designer for several years, and I always had a desire to do painting. I started watercolor painting when I was raising children. I started studying on my own while regaining the feeling of my student days. Since then, I have been exhibiting in galleries and teaching watercolor painting.
InterviewFeatured Artist
Sachie Yamane is mainly presenting watercolor paintings depicting colorful flowers. He was attracted to the transparent colors of watercolor paintings and continued to create on his own. In recent years, he has also tried new techniques such as glass painting and portrait painting, and approached Mr. Yamane's thoughts on continuing to expand his possibilities.
Please tell us how you started watercolor painting
"Rose in the Glass"
Written by: Sachie Yamane
What is the appeal of watercolor?
I think the charm of watercolor painting is the delicate colors that are transparent. When I put a brush on paper, I feel that the moment when the pigment dissolved in the water spreads out is beautiful.
In general, many people may think of oil paintings when they think of paintings. Oil paintings can be repainted because they are layered with paint, but watercolors are different. I like that it allows me to express bleeding and blurring, and that it has a texture that can express even the transition of the air.
Are there any painters who have influenced you?
In particular, I am fascinated by the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci. The line is clean and beautiful, but it is attractive that you can feel a very deep and delicate expression. At first glance, even if it is a simple line, I feel that it is very important to express it that is backed by solid technology. I myself aim to create works that use watercolor bleeding and blurring to evoke various images in the viewer's mind.
I also have a lot of admiration for Matisse. I feel a strong attraction because it is a painting style that is the exact opposite of my own, such as positive and powerful colors and compositions.
"Flower Fairy"
Written by: Sachie Yamane
Please tell us about the work "Flower Fairy".
This work was exhibited at the web group exhibition "Illusion of Bright Colors" held at Nihonbashi Art from August 1 ~ 31, 2023. The girl leans over as if enjoying the scent of pink and purple flowers in a vase. It is a fantastic work with butterflies dancing on top. I usually work on realistic works, but in this work, I tried to express myself in a fantastic way. I also wanted to draw in a different style than before. The challenge with this work was to express the world of dreams through watercolors.
I was a child who was often dazed since I was little, and my parents often scolded me. When I was in a daze, I felt like I was indulging in a dream. Consciousness spreads in various places, and something becomes clear, healed, or purified within oneself. I felt that this feeling was connected to the feeling of watercolor paint dissolving in water, so I decided to express it in my work.
Also, during production, it is of course necessary to consciously do something and control it, but in some parts it is also important to entrust the feeling of surrendering to something other than yourself.
Charcoal painting of a man in production
What challenges have you been taking on in recent years?
I am not only obsessed with watercolor painting, but also work with the desire to always be innovative. I want to expand the range of my work by trying different techniques.
For example, for the past few years, I have been admiring Matisse's bold colors and compositions, and I have been trying my hand at glass painting. Glass painting is a method of painting with paint on top of the back of glass, which is completely opposite to other techniques. When you draw a portrait, you draw the outline of the face from the whole. But glass painting first draws details like eyes.
Recently, I have also been focusing on drawing portraits. I'm just finishing my charcoal painting of a man. I was impressed by the fun of drawing people of a different sex from my own. When I was immersed in my work, I suddenly felt like I didn't know who I was drawing, and it also gave me an opportunity to think about gender gradations.
Please tell us your thoughts on future work creation
Now I am doing various watercolors, glass paintings, and portrait paintings, and I am looking for aspects and styles that I didn't know. In particular, glass painting, which I started with a longing for bold colors, made me realize once again that I have the nature of drawing precisely. Until now, I had avoided works that showed such a commitment to the fullest, fearing that I would become somewhat smug. However, as I tried various techniques, I realized that there are good and bad things about that commitment. I began to want to scrutinize myself more and put out good things in my work.
I believe that increasing your sensitivity to the details will lead to exploring your own path. Someday, I would like to paint a watercolor painting that explores the path I have found. But it always appears in front of me like a mirage, and if I try to catch it, it disappears... It will always change.
Sachie Yamane always finds her own path and continues to take on challenges. While taking advantage of the transparency of watercolor painting, he boldly challenges new techniques such as glass painting and portrait painting. Expectations are high for Mr. Yamane's future works, which aim to enhance his subtle sensibilities and express himself on his own path.
Interview: 2026/02/13