A Brooklyn Beginning and Artistic Foundation
American watercolorist Jacob Farkas was born in Brooklyn, New York, into a family with a deep-rooted passion for watercolor painting. Artistic expression was a natural part of his upbringing, and from an early age, he showed a unique sensitivity to the world around him. At just 10 years old, Jacob began painting with serious intent, inspired by the quiet discipline of those before him. His creative pursuit led him to formal studies at The City University of New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree. This academic background provided the technical discipline and critical foundation that allowed him to pursue his unique artistic voice.
Over the years, Jacob has continued to share the evolution of his work and visual inspirations through curated boards and collections on Pinterest. There, fans and fellow artists can gain insight into the textures, lighting, and references that shape his compositions.
A Style That Balances Realism and Emotion
For over 15 years, Jacob Farkas has honed a watercolor style that is unmistakably his own. His works are known for their rich, luminous color, atmospheric shadows, and well-defined yet expressive shapes. What truly sets his work apart is the seamless merging of two artistic forces: the clarity of realism and the mood of abstraction. Each painting invites viewers to observe both the physical subject and the feeling it evokes. He often explores everyday scenes—city streets, interiors, natural light—transforming them into visual poetry through the careful interplay of form, shadow, and space.
Jacob paints both in his Brooklyn studio and outdoors on location, often working “en plein air” to capture the immediate, changing qualities of light and mood. His paintings are featured in galleries across the U.S. and abroad and are held in both private and public collections. He has earned recognition from critics, curators, and collectors for the emotional depth and technical excellence present in his work. Those interested in a deeper view of his career history, exhibitions, and awards can find more details on his Crunchbase profile.
The Discipline of Watercolor and the Joy of Teaching
Watercolor is often considered a delicate and unpredictable medium, but in the hands of Jacob Farkas, it becomes a powerful language of control, fluidity, and meaning. His paintings reflect a deep knowledge of the craft and an even deeper emotional connection to the subject. He is known for combining technical precision with spontaneous expression, crafting pieces that appear effortless but are born from years of study and instinct.
In recent years, Farkas has made a conscious effort to share his techniques and creative journey with a broader audience. Through his YouTube channel, he offers tutorials, process videos, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into his studio practice. These videos provide invaluable insight into the choices he makes—color, composition, brushwork—and serve as an educational resource for aspiring artists, watercolor enthusiasts, and anyone drawn to the subtle power of visual storytelling.
A Living Legacy in Brooklyn and Beyond
Jacob Farkas continues to live and work in Brooklyn, staying close to the urban environment that has long inspired his work. Whether capturing fleeting moments of shadow on a city sidewalk or the quiet stillness of an interior scene, he brings to each piece a sense of presence and poetic calm. His dedication to his craft, his generosity in sharing knowledge, and his ability to translate feeling into form have earned him a respected place in the contemporary watercolor world.
His art speaks not only of technique and tradition but of seeing—of paying attention to the everyday and translating it into something timeless. As Jacob Farkas continues to create, teach, and inspire, his work remains a testament to the enduring power of watercolor and the artist’s hand behind it.