Biennale of French-speaking Watercolour Artists of Belgium

Watercolour at its most brilliant

This is the promise of Les Écuries, which will open the season in style with the Biennale des Aquarellistes Francophones de Belgique, taking place from 3 to 27 September 2026.

For this new edition, 73 artists will showcase their unique worlds through luminous landscapes, everyday scenes, fleeting moments and colourful reveries. An invitation to be surprised by an art form that combines delicacy, spontaneity and mastery.

As a special bonus, live watercolour demonstrations will take place throughout the weekends. Several artists will create a work in front of the public while sharing their style, techniques and creative process.

Sometimes, all it takes is a little water, a few pigments and a sheet of paper to bring a stormy sky, a lively street or the transparency of a flower petal to life. This is the magic of watercolour: a medium in which light seems to emerge from the paper itself, and where every brushstroke interacts with chance as much as with the precision of the artist’s hand.

Founded in 2014, the non-profit organisation Aquarellistes Francophones de Belgique is dedicated to promoting this artistic technique. Throughout the year, it offers its members meetings, competitions, outdoor painting sessions, courses and workshops.

A kaleidoscope of emotions

This edition brings together 73 talented artists, selected according to demanding quality criteria. They were given just one instruction: complete freedom.

No specific theme or common thread was imposed, other than the individual sensitivity of each artist. The result is an eclectic journey featuring distant horizons, spontaneous portraits, refined architecture and more abstract compositions.

There is something for every visitor, young and old, whether they are looking for a painting that sparks surprise, reflection or simply emotion.

Among the participating artists, three honorary members stand out for their careers and reputation: Nicole B, well known to the Waterloo public, Agnès Vanoverschelde and Paul Van Cleven. Their works will be displayed alongside those of the other participants in a rich and accessible exhibition.

And if you fall in love with a particular piece, there is good news: almost all of the works on display will be available for purchase.

Live demonstrations

Every weekend afternoon, watercolour artists will create a work in front of the public. It is a great opportunity to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the complexity of this art form.

The demonstrations will offer an insight into some of the particular challenges of watercolour: the limited possibility of correcting mistakes, the delicate balance between water and pigments, and the need to plan the areas of light before even beginning to paint.

Demonstration programme:

• Saturday 5 September
  2 pm: Paul Van Cleven
  4 pm: Christelle Lesire
• Sunday 6 September
  2 pm: Nicole B
  4 pm: Jacques Blavier
• Saturday 12 September
  2 pm: Agnès Vanoverschelde
  4 pm: Sylvie Naro
• Sunday 13 September
  2 pm: Olivier Surin
  4 pm: Catherine De Ryck
• Saturday 19 September
  2 pm: Rosaria Marozzo
  4 pm: Annik Ranwez
• Sunday 20 September
  2 pm: Jean-Luc Dossche-Winsor & Newton
  4 pm: Marie-Françoise Ingels*
• Saturday 26 September
  4 pm: Marie-Line Clippe
• Sunday 27 September
  2 pm: Jean Rivière
  4 pm: Catherine Sommelette

Marie-Françoise Ingels will be the next Waterloo-based artist to exhibit at Les Écuries.