Magnificent Flora
International Artist|October/November 2022
Through expressive brushwork and vibrant color, Matt Ryder captures the many complexities of flowers
Matt Ryder
Magnificent Flora

Floral painting has such a rich and varied past, it's something that's been present throughout art history from the Renaissance painters to the impressionists. I often get asked what it is that draws me to paint flowers, and my answer is always the same: I don't know exactly, but I do know it's a lot of things all together. What is it about this subject that attracts me and so many others to paint it? Is it the beautiful color, the texture, the subtleties in values? Maybe it's the challenge, of which there are many when it comes to painting this difficult subject. Having explored many subjects in my time as a professional oil painter, the joy of setting up a still life or painting a selection of garden roses in bright sunlight is pretty hard to match, both in terms of the satisfaction it brings to see the flowers come together and the challenge that flowers present when painting them.

It gives me an opportunity to truly explore and push color, even changing my palette over time, adding in violets, pinks and cadmiums to focus more on the vibrancy that florals offer. The compositional possibilities are endless as are the textural elements that can be brought into a still life. It's a subject that can be painted for a lifetime with every painting offering something new. I paint from life and also from photos. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and I have to say these days I enjoy painting both equally.

Denne historien er fra October/November 2022-utgaven av International Artist.

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Denne historien er fra October/November 2022-utgaven av International Artist.

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FLERE HISTORIER FRA INTERNATIONAL ARTISTSe alt
Fresh Eyes
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Fresh Eyes

Anna Rose Bain discusses the passions of being an artist and helping students transform their own work

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The Next Level
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Jacob Dhein uses a wet-into-wet technique to create painterly depictions of a variety of subjects

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Wild Spirit
International Artist

Wild Spirit

Alternating between broad glazes and fine details, Claire Milligan captures the intricacies of the animal kingdom

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October/November 2024
The Bridge Between
International Artist

The Bridge Between

Watercolorist Thomas Wells Schaller delves into the nuances of observation and imagination

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October/November 2024
The Color Continuum
International Artist

The Color Continuum

Catherine Hearding demonstrates how she utilizes color to enhance the mood of her landscapes

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October/November 2024
Points of Precision
International Artist

Points of Precision

A strong focal point and attention to detail make Nicola Jane's artwork jump off the page

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BE YOURSELF
International Artist

BE YOURSELF

Harley Brown's fascinating things no one else will tell you

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JEFFREY T. LARSON
International Artist

JEFFREY T. LARSON

Expertly Putting the Pieces Together

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October/November 2024
Hot-Blooded
International Artist

Hot-Blooded

Blending elements of realism and surrealism, figurative artist Anna Wypych’'s paintings are dominated by vivid reds

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October/November 2024
Adam Clague Incandescence
International Artist

Adam Clague Incandescence

Adam Clague’s masterful understanding of contrast allows him to paint subjects that seem to glow from within

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2 mins  |
October/November 2024