Mostly oil sketches from life.

[meth]

Truely lovely paintings, any thoughts on a video demo? pretty please

Second this idea, it might be good for newcomers to get some feeling how traditional painting can be fun

M

[jetpack42]

You're really hitting a stride. You're gaining great control of the brush, colors, values, and showing a really strong mental organization and problem solving. It's really exciting to think about where you can take it! Keep up the good work!

[Eva K]

amazing, I love seeing the breakdown photos. Thanks for sharing!

[2Tone]

pure genius!

[mattlinz]

Sony- Yeah, I really should get back to doing watercolors again. Maybe I'll break them out at my next life drawing session. Thanks for the comment!

Mane- Wow... I guess I've never thought about doing a video demo. I feel like most of the time painting is such a struggle for me that I never thought anyone one would get much out of watching me paint. But lately I've had more people interested in me doing something like that. So I guess I should put more thought into it.

MatejaPetkovic- I'll definitely think about.

Jetpack42- Thanks I appreciate that! You have some serious drawing skills! I enjoy looking at your thread.

Eva K- Thanks!

2Tone- I don't know about that. But thank you!


The portrait is a 1 hour oil sketch painted from life. And the other one is about an 8 hour oil painting.

Thank for all your wonderful comments!

[mburrell]

Nice painting. I like the portrait of Erin very much.
In august you did a study of the back of a woman you used just a little line it was delicate and expressive. It counterpoints your beautiful masses. You might start playing with integrating some of that into your work. It's nice to see so much work.

[mattlinz]

mburrell- Thanks! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. And thanks for the suggestion.

Two more quick sketches. Lately I've been doing these quick sketches in the evenings trying to work out different painting problems I'm struggling with. Usually it revolves around the basics. Drawing, value, color and edges. Things we all struggle with. Or at least I do.

[Kvenh]

Shiiit really good stuff Loving #141. really cool stuff going on

[merl1n]

Great updates. That lady with apples in post #155 has fantastic color scheme!

[Marian Rowling]

Hey Matt just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed looking at your beautiful paintings and drawings. It's hard to pick one out when they are all of such a high standard but I think the painting of your friend Erin is my absolute favourite.

You really make me want to learn how to paint this well. Five stars from me.

[mattlinz]

Kvenh- Hey thanks! I appreciate the kind words!

merl1n- Thanks!

Marian Rowling- Thank you! I got lucky with that one of Erin. Usually they don't work out.

Sorry, not much of an update... I'll try to do better next time. This painting was done from life. About a 2.5 hour pose. The model is Jessie.

Thanks for the comments everyone!!

[ThumbprintGallery]

be concious of your color use! but i love the kitten!

[mattlinz]

ThumbprintGallery- I use color more as a way to get some rhythm and interest going while I paint. It works for me. But I understand some people find it off putting. These sketches are just me playing around. I appreciate your comment.

Another 1 hour head sketch.

[Marian Rowling]

Hey Matt this last portrait is just beautiful. Really feels like you have just caught a stolen moment. It feels so fresh and alive. Can I ask how you prepare your canvas and what palette you used pleased. I'm very keen to learn all I can from artist's admire as I so want to be able to do this myself one day!

[mattlinz]

Marian - my palette consists of titanium white, permanent yellow light, permanent yellow deep, yellow ocher, permanent orange, terra rosa, cadmium red light, viridian, ultramarine blue deep, alizarin crimson. Sometimes I'll also use permanent green light. I work on canvas mounted to a masonite panel with miracle muck glue. I like working on a white canvas but this last painting was done on a canvas toned with burnt umber.

I hope that helps.

[Marian Rowling]

Yeah it does help Matt, thankyou. I originally thought that the dark areas and hair were Burnt Umber and that you had used a raw sienna with white for the flesh. So I was really wrong! I am now thinking permanent orange maybe darkened with the Ultramarine for the hair and permanent orange as a base with white for the flesh. Hopefully I'm right thinking the green I can see is permanent green light, but maybe not. Thankyou again anyway, makes me think about colours and more importantly how they could be mixed. I am a rookie

[mattlinz]

Marian Rowling- Glad to hear I could help. Best of luck with your painting.

The head sketch was done as a demo for the art students at Bridgview center. Bridgview is a drop in center for people living with persistent, severe mental illness. I taught a three day class on portrait painting. Most of the artists struggled with drawing, something I think we all can relate to... I know I can. this demo was to show students that starting a painting with one color and just trying to think about drawing the shapes your seeing can help.

The figure painting is an oil sketch painted from life. about 2 hours.

[Marian Rowling]

Sounds like a very rewarding opportunity to be able to help people with your art Matt. I like the sound of what you were teaching and I would buy the lesson if you ever turn it into a video download. Thanks for posting, I really enjoy your art.

[garboz]

Hi Matt!

Stupendous work. I'm loving your progression and your use of brushstrokes. I can learn a lot from you!

I've got to ask:
1) What colors are on your palette?
2) What surface do you usually work on when you do quick oil paintings from life?

Thanks and keep up the good work!

I apologize if you've already answered this.

Best,
Garrett

[mattlinz]

Marian Rowling- Thanks!

garboz- Thanks for taking the time to comment. Post #165 should answer your question. Best of luck with your work!

A new oil painting. 18"x 24"

[Marian Rowling]

Wow Matt what a fabulous painting. I can really fellow the warm sunshine the model is bathed in. The colours really sing in this one and it's a lovely pose and composition. I'm not sure if it's an optical illusion, but is her hand actually laying on the pillow as it does look like it's in the air?

[Tanner T]

freaking love all your work....


are you from st paul MN ?

[mattlinz]

Marian Rowling- Thanks Marian, I meant for the hand to be resting on the pillow... but I guess it does look like it's floating a bit. I'll try to fix it. Thanks!

TrueInstinct- Thanks for the nice comment! I do live in the Twin Cities.

Here's a new piece. 16"x20" oil.

[Ally Hodges]

I can't believe these are done from life and in such a short amount of time! WELL DONE!! I can't wait to see more!

[Marian Rowling]

Hey Matt this last one looks fab, are you working on a series of these for an exhibition? As always your work is very inspiring.

[TNiznet]

Truly inspiring Matt, quick question, is an attic an ideal location for oil painting, if its setup next to the window that is except the floor is covered with rugs, or perhaps a open garage is a better fit?

Thank You

[TrottierJS]

Really lovely work!!

[mattlinz]

hikix- Thanks! Not all of the paintings you see here are done from life. Some of the more finished ones are done from a combination of life paintings and photos i've taken.

Marian Rowling- Thanks! I just liked the look of the stockings and couldn't decide which concept I wanted to paint - so I decided to paint two paintings with the stocking concept. I'm sure I'll do more.

TNiznet- I'm probably not the best person to answer your question. My studio is in the basement of my house - it's not the ideal studio but I manage to make it work. What really matters is just finding a space that works for you.
Thanks for the comment!

TrottierJS- Thanks!


18"x24" oil.

[Van Douglas]

Definitely love your work!
As someone looking to get into oil painting besides alla prima; any personal resources you can maybe spare that might help me pick up oil painting ?

[Mane]

the first in 155 is on of my favourite paintings i have seen in a while, those edges are lovely man