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Precision and vibrancy with artist Cap Jacobs

01 May 2025

Cap Jacobs is a New Zealand-based artist whose work stands out for its precision, vibrant energy and minimalist yet complex style. Specialising in abstract paintings, Cap’s pieces feature sharp lines, bold shapes and unblended Resene colours that evoke a sense of positivity. His artworks are often described as “happy paintings,” a fitting testament to their bright and uplifting qualities. 

Cap’s approach to art is one of meticulous detail. Using straight lines, defined edges and a single circle in his compositions, his work maintains a balance between minimalist structure and an energetic colour palette. Although his paintings can be linked to minimalism, Cap’s pieces tend to be more vibrant and intricate than typical minimalist art, drawing the viewer in with their dynamic compositions and joyful aesthetic. 


Aptly named ‘Still of the Night’, this piece is painted in Resene Resolution Blue, Resene Gold Dustmetallic and Resene Black. 


Cap’s artwork, titled ‘Heat’, was a finalist painting in the 2025 NZPPA competition (one of 30 selected out of 270 submitted paintings). This piece is painted in Resene Shirley Temple, Resene Adrenalin,Resene Daredevil, ResenePursuit, Resene Del Toro, Resene Vanquish, Resene Salsa, Resene Red Red Red and Resene Black. 

While art has always been a part of Cap’s life, it was in 2016 when he formally began to refine his craft, studying art and design at the Eastern Institute of Technology. Before that, he had dabbled in art as a hobby, experimenting with different techniques and styles. This foundation allowed him to develop his current practice – one where geometric simplicity meets vivid colour in stunning ways. 

When it comes to inspiration, Cap is driven by something more abstract than reality. His ideas often come to him in the quiet hours of the night, sparked by an interplay of colours and shapes that arise without a clear source. He then brings these thoughts to life digitally, playing with various designs on his computer before selecting one that resonates with him. This process allows Cap to explore unexpected and intriguing results, and once satisfied, he translates the digital design into physical art, crafting each painting with precision on his chosen medium – MDF board. 


An abstract piece of Cap’s, titled ‘Shibuya Crossing’ after the world's busiest pedestrian crossing in Japan, is painted in Resene Danube, Resene Half Resolution Blue, Resene Kudos, Resene Skydiver and Resene Black. 


A unique piece from Cap, titled ‘There’s Life’, is painted inResene Tall Poppy, Resene Stack, ReseneGold Dust metallicand Resene Black. 

Cap prepares each of his MDF boards by applying five coats of undercoat, meticulously sanding between each layer to achieve an ultra-smooth surface. This careful preparation ensures the crisp edges that define his style. Using masking tape to create the sharp lines he is known for, Cap translates his digital designs into real-life artworks with a precision that ensures the integrity of every edge. 

"Resene paints are especially durable and lend themselves to painting on board," Cap says. Resene’s extensive range of "off-the-shelf" colours makes it easy for him to choose the perfect shades for his pieces, as he often relies on Resene’stestpots for small quantities of paint. The ability to experiment with different colours – ranging from bright primary hues to more muted tones – gives Cap the freedom to explore various visual effects while maintaining the precision he is known for. 


Another of Cap’s artworks titled ‘Crystal Cool’ is painted in the cool, bold shades of Resene Half Resolution Blue, Resene Anakiwa, Resene Malibu, ResenePicton Blue and Resene Black. 

His palette choices are constantly evolving. While Cap has historically used bright primary colours or variations close to them, he has recently shifted towards incorporating grey and silver tones into his work. This evolution is well received by his audience – his piece titled ‘The Surprise’ (featured in the main image above next to Cap), was a finalist painting in the 2023 New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Awards (NZPPA) – showing the versatility of Resenepaints in bringing both bold and subtle designs to life. 

Although Cap loves a wide array of colours, he notes that the background of his paintings is typically black, providing a dramatic contrast to the vibrant colours that pop against it.  

Cap’s work is a prime example of how precision, colour and creativity can come together to produce art that is both minimalist and full of life. Using Resene paints as his medium, he continues to create vibrant, geometric abstracts that captivate and inspire, reminding us that art can indeed be a source of joy. 

Learn more about Cap and see more of his work at www.capjacobs.com.  

Published: 01 May 2025