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"After many years of making music, I am rediscovering the power of the line — following in the footsteps of my father Harrie and my brother Jeroen — searching for my own visual voice."
Alongside his international career as a drummer and bandleader, Lucas van Merwijk has developed a drawing style that is as direct, rhythmic, and intuitive as his musical work. His drawings often emerge in a single continuous line, created without preliminary sketches or corrections. This approach - closely related to musical improvisation - gives his work a sense of freshness and immediacy.
Van Merwijk observes people in motion: dancers, musicians, passers-by, as well as intimate moments between parents and children. With minimal means he evokes maximum expression. His lines may appear effortless, yet they are remarkably precise; posture, emotion, and human interaction are captured with just a few gestures.
In many of his works, the human figure is reduced to its essence. The openness of the paper plays an active role, allowing the viewer’s imagination to complete what is left unsaid. This creates a poetic visual language in which every line counts.
In addition to his linear drawings, Van Merwijk also creates expressive colour studies in which forms dissolve and fragments of faces appear. These works reveal a more intuitive, abstract side of his artistry, while remaining connected to the same sense of musicality and rhythm.
His drawings are not literal representations but moments of attention - rapid observations that hold the movement, stillness, or energy of a passing moment. In this way, they form a natural extension of his musicianship: both disciplines rely on listening, observing, and trusting the first gesture.
All drawings are available in the Van Merwijk Art Shop.
Every artwork is:
Explore the full collection and order directly:
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Lucas uses Pearl Drums, Zildjian cymbals, Remo drumheads, Pearl percussion, Lucas van Merwijk signature Zildjian drumsticks, SkyGel damping pads and Dap Audio microphones.
