Tad Retz Works

Tad Retz enjoys creating through traditional methods of painting in oil, acrylic, or gouache as well as painting digitally. Though known for his landscapes, he is known to paint other subject matter that inspires him. He has traveled the country studying and learning with numerous artists as schooling. Tad’s work is shown in galleries and shows around the country. He occasionally teaches workshops throughout the U.S. each year.

Tad Retz has been painting for seven years. Before that he was a sculptor, receiving the prestigious National Gold Key award for which he was invited to Carnegie Hall in New York City to accept. His training has involved studying with accomplished artists, attending classes at the college level, and intense independent study. Says Retz, “My studying takes the form of painting everyday, continuing my study of masters’ paintings, reading books by established artists, learning about their ideas and techniques. I feel that painting every day is the best schooling.” Tad began painting digitally while in high school.

He spent much of his time studying old masters’ paintings, learning about color, values and compositions, the bare bones of their paintings. He then started experimenting with oil and acrylic and found he was drawn to the surface texture he can achieve with paint. He developed an appreciation for the physical nature of traditional paintings. “I love how when I go to a museum, I can see what an artist created in his or her lifetime, and how it ages over time, how it appreciates over time.” He is very drawn to old things. Tad at times still uses digital painting to edit and layer his traditional paintings. He now paints mainly in oil, acrylic, and watercolor. 

“There are laws of nature I try to adhere to. I go into every painting with a new set of ‘rules’ that pertain to color, values, composition. These ideas and limitations shape each piece in a new individual way depending on what I'm researching at the time. Painting every day is essential for me.”