New Painting

This is a new painting. Well it's actually intended to be a study for hopefully a larger 40x19 painting. This one is 18x8.55 and was done entirely from life. My wife modeled and it was a real challenge for her since it was an awkward position to hold and I had to turn the heat off since this is the boiler and it got much too hot for her. My mom made the fabulous dress!

Plein Air 12-2-12

Was a great t-shirt weather December afternoon to go out and paint today. 11x14, oil.

Plein Air 11-29-12

Often times, as I'm walking toward an area I plan on painting, I end up drawn to a non-picturesque scene before I reach the intended scene. This afternoon I was heading to the river and happened on this property at the edge of the river and did this little sketch. 10x8, oil.

Master Studies

I feel like I've been at a sticking point with my painting so I decided to do some loose studies/copies of some old Russian paintings. I'm uncertain of the artist's names as the sources I've found states that they are from the Academy of Kiev. One image (of the girl standing), I found out the artist's name is Ryasnyanskiy. Anyway, these are small, loose, quick, and on paper about 6 to 10 inches. I decided to stick to a limited Zorn palette (titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and ivory black).

Figure Drawing 11-6-12

Couple figures from last night's figure drawing session.

Figure Drawing 10-30-12

We had a pregnant last night at drawing which was great and challenging at the same time. Really hope she's back.

Plein Air 10-24-12

It was 78 degrees outside today and was perfect to paint. I took a break from my work and went outside to paint. 12x10, oil.

Figure Drawing 10-16-12

Some quick sketches from last night's figure drawing. Usually these are between 10 to 20 minute sketches.

Plein Air 10-12-12

As I was walking down the street this morning to the river to paint, this sun-lit, light green house caught my eye so I painted it. 10x12, oil.

Figure Drawing 9-25-12

Quick sketch from last night's figure drawing.

Plein Air 9-25-12

This one is from this morning....well, late morning. Awesome weather today and hopefully not the last mid-70 day for the year. I had to go out and paint. Actually, I decided I would just step right out the front door and paint looking down the street. 10x8, oil.

A Couple Framed

Well, since I haven't done anything worth posting recently, I thought I'd post up a couple paintings that I recently framed and are off at a show.

Figure Drawing 9-11-12

A couple quick sketches from last night's figure drawing.

'71 Ford

I went up to New Berlin last week and took part in a plein air competition. Thursday morning I headed up and painted a road and farm scene. Then I grabbed some lunch and painted the back side of the barn and silos. I wasn't quite content with the pieces so I debated whether or not to head up there Friday since the forecast called for 80% rain. I decided to go back and did this small 10x8 while the weather held out during that time. I ended up with an award so was pleased that I went back.

New Portrait

"Die Matrone der Gotik" A new one fresh off the easel. 18x14, oil.

3 Hour Figure Painting

This is a 3 hour pose painted this afternoon. 11x14, oil.

Basement Sketch

We live in an old house and I love old houses. They offer so much character and I feel every little corner is paint-able. Tonight I sat down in the basement and did this little sketch. 12x10, oil.

Figure Drawing 8-14-12

Here's a quick sketch from last night's figure drawing. Wow, I haven't posted in awhile. I've been

busy getting ready for Art in the Park in Lake Geneva which was this past weekend. It ended up being a pretty successful show for me.

New Website!!!

www.matthewholtfineart.com Here is a brand new site I created to show my artwork! Stay tuned, it's still in it's infancy so please check back frequently!

Plein Air 7/17/12

This little plein air is from this morning at the river. This bridge has made a small cameo in a couple of my studies but today I wanted to make it more of the focal point. 8x6, oil.

Figure Drawing 7-10-12

Here are a few quick sketches from last night's figure drawing.

Plein Air 7-10-12

From this morning at the river. Plein air. 10x8, oil.

Plein Air 6-30-12

It was an absolute scorcher today painting in the sun during the afternoon. This is a different subject matter for me but nevertheless fun to do. It's not important the subject so much as the elements of design that draw me in. I'm not a car person nor a speed boat person but the design of the scene begged to be painted and had a splash of nostalgia thrown in there as I'd venture to guess the Jeep Cherokee is from the late 70s and the boat is mid to late 60s. Like I said, I'm not a car or boat person so I can't say for certain. 10x8, oil.

Plein Air 6-24-12

Here's one from this afternoon. It was a rather quick painting and it was hot out there. I'm actually surprised that I used that much pure blue in the sky...I guess I was painting what I saw! 12x10, oil.

Plein Air 6-14-12

8x10, oil. Plein air from this morning.

Figure Drawing 6-5-12

Here's a quick sketch from last night's figure drawing.

Plein Air 6-3-12

Was a gorgeous afternoon to go out in the middle of a field and paint the river today. Plein air, 10x12, oil.

Interior Painting

Although it's great weather outside, it's too windy this afternoon for outdoor painting so I did this little study of our living room. 8x6, oil.

Figure Drawing 5-22-12

Some figures from last night's drawing session.

Plein Air 5-19-12

Here's one I did this afternoon. 12x9, oil. Boy was it hot. It was great though having some heat for once but I didn't realize until I got home how sun-burned I was, wearing a tank top with no sun-screen out in the middle of the

field.

Plein Air 5-11-12

This one is from this morning at the Fox River. Plein air. 12x10, oil. I aimed at simplifying my values and keeping my shapes abstract while trying to make sense of and tame the mass of intense spring green.

Figure Drawing 5-1-12

A couple sketches from last night's figure drawing.

Figure Drawing 4-24-12

This 20 minute sketch was from last Tuesday's figure drawing session. Just now got around to photographing and posting.

Thayer Copy

This is a small copy that I did of a section of Abbott Thayer's "Winged Figure." I have always admired this piece and it was nice to do a study of it. 14x11, oil.

Spring Bloom

New-ish plein airs freshly framed. I'll be down in Bloomington this Saturday, April 28th for Spring Bloom put on by McLean County Arts Center with 30 of my landscapes. Please feel free to stop by if in town.

Pregnancy Painting

Here's a painting I've been working on of my pregnant wife. 24x24, oil. I still might go back and clean some edges up.