Cor Schaap, a painter born in Katwijk aan Zee, has a deep connection with the sea and the beach, which is clearly reflected in his oil paintings. Beach scenes are a recurring theme in his work, which he executes in an impressionistic style. This connection with the sea is rooted in his family history; Schaap's father was a fisherman and his grandfather a shell fisherman. Despite this background, Schaap opted for a creative career and although he initially wanted to study at the art academy in The Hague, he shifted his focus to the design and media sector there.

Around 2019, Schaap decided to make a U-turn. He withdrew somewhat and focused entirely on painting. This choice had not only an artistic but also a therapeutic motivation.

During his artistic development, Cor Schaap received guidance from various painters. An important mentor was Niek van der Plas, who gave Schaap valuable advice. In 2019, Hans Versfelt advised him 'en plein air' in Kijkduin. Most of the skills and techniques were taught by Joop van Leeuwen, the famous impressionist from The Hague. Van Leeuwen's influences are clearly recognizable in Schaap's work. A beautiful hardcover book (90 pages f/c) has been published about the period that Schaap and Van Leeuwen painted together under ISBN/EAN number 9789090360959. From 2025 also active at the Gooise Academie in Laren.

From 2024, Schaap will continue to develop and so will his style. It will move more towards post-impressionism. Schaap will work outdoors or in the studio behind his house. With new, artistic works in a suggestive style, created with a palette knife and brush, he will experiment with colours and a looser touch. A number of oil paintings will also be sold exclusively through renowned galleries from 2024. Sale of gallery work

• 2012 Presidential Award Hope University

• 2015 Awarded work KUCO Art Calendar

• 2016 Painting AZC nms municipality Katwijk

• 2017 Expo Palace Hotel Noordwijk

• 2019 Expo Katwijk town hall

• 2021 Expo center Katwijk aan Zee

• 2022 Expo Galerie Gabriëls The Hague

• 2023 Expo PKN Wassenaar

• 2024 Expo Two Brothers Noordwijk Beach

• 2025 Continuation of the Two Brothers Noordwijk Beach exhibition

• 2025 Start new work in a suggestive, colorful style