This is the first of a small series of bluebell paintings that I’ve finished recently.
I looked at both Monet and Pissarro for inspiration. I used Monet’s technique of applying colours directly to the surface without pre-mixing and allowing them to mix on the surface. This stops the paints going muddy and keeps them vibrant and exciting. I tried to imitate Pissarro’s marks and brush strokes to create some broken lines, giving the implication of detail as well as keeping them constantly changing and interesting.
I loved painting this piece and it’s already sold!! Don’t worry though there’s a few more bluebell ones to come!!
This is oils on a 12”x16” canvas.
I never really do portraiture but after working in the art department at school, the sixth form students inspired me to give it a go. This is a little self portrait I did the other day.
I was looking at Renoir portraits for inspiration but I think the final product looks more like a Van Gogh!! I tried to keep the colours saturated and the marks visible to give it an energetic impressionist feel. I hope you like it!!
A couple of months ago I had a break in between teaching lessons so walked down to the river with my canvas and easel looking for something to paint and ended up choosing this beautiful view of Sonning lock.
Painting en plein air is difficult but so much fun and really really rewarding!! I recorded the main colours and shapes and captured the energy in situ, and then refined the painting back in the studio (just like the impressionists did!) I loved painting this one and am planning on doing more plein air painting soon!!
This is oils on a 16x20” canvas
#pleinair#pleinairpainting#pleinairmag
I recently got commissioned to paint somebody’s boat parked up on a beautiful stretch of the Thames.
I used a thick acrylic base with thick, impasto oil marks on top to create some nice textures. I also played around with different mark making including lots of broken brush strokes to create a realistic look.
This was oils over an acrylic base one a 30x60cm canvas.
This piece is the last of a three part series of Mallorca street scenes.
I don’t paint buildings too often but I’ve absolutely loved painting this series, and I learn more with every one I paint! This one was once again inspired by the impressionists with thick impasto marks and bold, expressive colours and I’m super happy with the result.
I hope you’ve all liked the series! They are now all for sale and are now available to view on my website. Please get in touch if you’re interested in buying one!
This is oils on a 20”x30” canvas.
On my tiktok I do these fun little colour matching videos and I realised that I haven’t posted one on my instagram yet!!
I may post more on here but if you want to see more have a look on my tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLswnvQo/
This painting is called Mallorca Street II and is the second in a series of 3 Mallorca street scenes.
It was heavily inspired by my favourite impressionist artists with the bold colours, expressive marks, broken lines of colour and quick, spontaneous blending on the surface. I once again started with acrylics to produce some thick textures and to cause the warmth and saturation of the acrylics to glow from behind the oils I put on top.
I’ve grown a bit of an attachment to this piece so don’t really want to sell it😂 but I know that I have to so it’ll be going up on my website very soon. Go check out my website if you haven’t already!! Mattherbertart.com
This is oils over an acrylic base on a 20”x24” canvas.
#impressionistpainting#impressionism#impressionistart
This recent commission is of Mawgan Porth in Cornwall.
This was an extremely fun one to paint!! I used both brushes and knives to create a variety of marks and textures, initially with acrylic paint and then oils on top. I also fine tuned my colours both to create a sense of depth and to capture the warm atmosphere.
This is oils over an acrylic base on a 16”x20” canvas.
#mawganporth#beachpainting#cornwallpainting
I painted ‘Dramatic Skies over Pinkneys’ from a photo taken last winter in pinkneys green.
I used a technique similar to Turner’s for the sky, with loads of layers of scumbles and glazes to create a sense of atmosphere. I also added dad walking our black lab Kio as the focus of the painting. Go check this painting out on my website if you haven’t already!!
This is oils on a 20”x24” canvas.