Is it possible to do portrait painting while you’re away from your home, your usual studio area?
This was something I’ve always wanted to do: create art while camping. And for all the years I’ve gone camping, I’ve never been able to successfully do it.
But finally, at the end of June, my brother and I decided to go camping at a rustic yurt up in Cable, WI. Where is that? Let’s just say, it’s “way up north.” 🙂 And what is a yurt? It’s a round tent-like house, a permanent structure made of lattice wood, bound together with steel cable, and covered with fabric. We rented it through Airbnb for two days.
Acrylic portrait artist Matt Philleo ready to paint at a yurt in Cable, Wisconsin
We parked at the bottom of the hill and carried our gear up about a mile. We realized how out of shape we were! I also had my painting supplies: easel, palette, and brushes with me. In the middle of hiking and cooking, we decided to both do a little work: my brother wrote (he’s an author) and I painted.
I know. You’re probably thinking I should have painted the scenery up there, and yes, it was beautiful. But I had a commissioned portrait from a photo to get done: a painting of a veteran that served in the gulf war. And I love painting people, so it hardly seemed like work.
After bacon, eggs, and oatmeal for breakfast, it was time for painting.
Here is a video showing the beginning part of the process. In this video, I am basically blocking in the values with just raw umber dark and ultramarine blue. Of course, it’s all thinned out and made translucent with matte medium.
And then, here’s the next video in the process. Here I’m adding some color with burnt sienna, alizarine crimson and a few other colors. We’re starting to build up some skin tones. Also working on the flannel shirt. It takes a lot of layers to get it dark enough to look realistic!
After lunch, we hiked, and then came back and did more work: refining the shadows and making sure the likeness is accurate.
Sometimes your sketch just won’t cut it. It will get you about 80% of the way there, and you do the remaining 20% with paint. As you apply the paint, you can change the shape of the nose, the distance between the eyelids, lengthen the smile, etc., to adjust whatever might have been off during your sketch.
Of course, there is more to go on this painting. I’ll share the rest with you soon.
UPDATE: Here is the final video of this portrait, painted at my regular studio…
I really enjoyed painting this for the client, putting all the elements–the map of Iraq, the capitol building, and the people together into one cohesive portrait that I hope will be a cherished keepsake for the family for years to come.
I wasn’t able to finish it at the yurt, but I put in several hours. So, not only did I get to spend some great quality time with my brother, but I got to do some enjoyable work as well. After the big move, I finally feel like I’m getting into a regular groove of painting and posting tutorials. Thanks so much for your patience.
I hope this painting has encouraged you. If you would like your own memory captured uniquely with a custom portrait, just let me know. Call me at 715-864-9323, or email: matt@mattphilleo.com
All the best,
P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it on ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!
Little by little, I’ve been chipping away at this 48″ x 72″ acrylic portrait painting that takes up almost half of my studio. I want to show you the progress on it. Here is where it was at a couple weeks ago.
In Progress acrylic on canvas portrait from a photo by artist Matt Philleo
Here is a video I did showing the process…
Lately, I’ve been adding a lot of detail to the people, layer after layer, using the glazing technique. That allows light to pass through the translucent layers of color, giving the painting more richness, depth and luminosity.
I’ve got a lot work to do, but I’m happy with where it is at right now!
In Progress Realistic Acrylic on Canvas Commissioned Portrait, 48 x 72 by Matt Philleo
Just wanted to share this with you and keep in touch on the progress! Have a blessed day as always!
If you have any comments or questions about what I wrote, please leave me your feedback below! I will personally get back to you. Can you help me spread the word? Please share this post with your family and friends by using the social media links on the side or below. Thank you!
It’s amazing that just the weekend before last, my family and I were out camping in a tent. We thought we were doing some fall camping, but with temperatures of close to eighty degrees at night, it was still summer, for all intents and purposes.
But how the weather in Wisconsin can change on a dime. As I write, next week we’ll hit freezing temperatures at night. The days are getting shorter again. The trees are starting to see bright red patches in the middle of green. Fall is here.
And of course, for me, that means my biggest art show of the year is almost here: the Falling Leaves Art Studio Tour. It seems like it was just a few weeks ago when I pulled my paintings off the wood-stacked wall in my friend’s makeshift gallery space, nestled in the beautiful countryside of Augusta, WI. But soon I’ll be traveling over there again–next weekend–to set up. My goal is to get there early, and set up before the wee hours of morning. Every year it’s a bit different. The wood-stack is a little taller or deeper, and you never know how your art is going to hang on it. But there’s plenty of places to drive a nail!
Falling Leaves Art Tour, 2018 Matt Philleo setup at Ron LaBlanc’s home in Augusta, WI
I am looking forward to connecting with you and all the others who can make it out there this year. It’s always a great time.
Here are some of the new paintings I’ve been working on this year (or at least since the last art tour…) Some of these paintings will be at the show, along with a few that I don’t have room for in this post.
1. “Rebuilding the Broken
“Rebuilding the Broken, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas, depicting Nehemiah rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, an illustration by Eau Claire fine artist Matt Philleo for a book by Russell Stendal, published by Aneko Press, 2018
“Rebuilding the Broken, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas, depicting Nehemiah rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, an illustration by artist Matt Philleo for a book by Russell Stendal, published by Aneko Press, Copyright Matt Philleo 2018. This is a painting I did as an illustration for one of Russell Stendal’s books (published by Aneko Press) on the ancient Jewish governor, Nehemiah. He writes about how Nehemiah rebuilt the wall, and how as Christians, we too can rebuild areas in our lives that have been broken down. In fact, that’s something that God specializes in. Jesus came to save, not destroy people’s lives. He comforts the brokenhearted. In the painting, you can see Nehemiah holding a scroll as he surveys the work being done on the project. But he is there, with the people, not lording it over them like a lot of governors did (and still do.) God has a blueprint, a master plan for our lives. And He came down as a man, as Jesus Christ, to become one of us, and so he knows how we feel when we are hurting. But he is able to restore us again!
2. “Come as Children”
“Come as Children,” 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas portrait, Copyright 2017 by Matt Philleo, artist.
This is another cover illustration I did for Aneko Press on a compilation of Charles Spurgeons’ sermons on children. In the book, he shows that children are important, and we need to come to God like a little child, and treat the little children well. We need to take care of them and teach them. I decided to do a painting of my children when they were a little younger, based on a photo when we were walking in the woods. You can see their innocence and eagerness to travel down the path. I think that’s what God wants for us!
3. Commissioned 8″ x 10″ Portrait of a Young Woman
Commissioned portrait painted from a photo for Roger E., 8″ x 10″, acrylic on canvas, copyright 2018 by Matt Philleo, Eau Claire, WI
This is a commissioned portrait I did for a man in who lives near me, a painting of his wife. I used a series of glazes to slowly build up richness and depth on her face, hair, and sweater. I really like how this one turned out. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the process.
How to paint a realistic acrylic portrait of a young woman step by step using the glazing technique. 8 x10 acrylic portrait, copyright 2018 by Matt Philleo, Eau Claire artist
4. “Breakfast with the King”
“Breakfast with the King,” 11 x 14, acrylic on canvas copyright 2017 by Matt Philleo
Another illustration for a Russell Stendal book (Aneko Press) this is a painting that shows the scene in John 21: 1-14 where Jesus meets up with the disciples after His resurrection. He cooks a breakfast for them with a fire of coals, and then Jesus has that conversation with Peter where He restores him after his denial. I really wanted to emphasize the fire, showing that Jesus will build up the fire in our hearts, a passion for Him and His kingdom, if we’ll let Him.
5. “Strength to Rise”
“Strength to Rise”, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas by artist Matt Philleo, copyright 2017
I’ve been doing a lot of Bible scenes lately. This was yet another book cover illustration for Russell Stendal. By the way, the publisher gets to use the image for their book, but I keep the original paintings. So, if you are interested in any of these, just ask! In this painting, I illustrated the New Testament scene where Peter is on his way to the temple. There’s a crippled beggar by the entrance asking for a handout. Peter gives him a hand-up instead. “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6) The Bible says that instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong, and He got up, praising God. I think I would be too!
6. “Etched in Experience”
“Etched in Experience” 16″ x 20″, acrylic on canvas by Eau Claire portrait artist Matt Philleo, copyright 2018
In 2016, encouraged by some other artists, I started teaching portrait classes out of my studio at Artisan Forge Studios in Eau Claire. Then I had people online asking me if I would teach a class.
Finally, in 2017, I decided to teach portrait painting classes. My first student was an elderly woman in her mid 80’s. She was so excited, she mailed me a check for the tuition! Since that time, I’ve taught over 100 students how to paint realistic portraits in acrylic, and it’s been a great experience for me and for them.
This portrait was an example for my class specifically on painting realistic wrinkles in acrylic. One of the students sent me a photo of a distant relative. Actually, I asked my students to submit photos, and they voted on this one here. So I demonstrated how to paint wrinkles, using the glazing technique, building up value, color and detail step-by-step. I call this “Etched in Experience” because all the things this man has gone through in his life has, in part, created a story on his face, with every wrinkle.
7. “Accepted by the King”
“Accepted by the King,” an acrylic painting illustration of Queen Esther standing before the King, by artist Matt Philleo, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas. Copyright 2018, Matt Philleo
What would you do if you had one chance to save yourself and your family from death? That’s the opportunity that Esther had, along with all the pressure. In fact, if she failed in her mission, she would die. This is an illustration (yes, another book cover illustration for Russell Stendal published by Aneko Press) showing the ancient Jewish Queen of Persia as she stood before the king, having entered into his palace uninvited. If he was happy with her, she lived. If not, she would die. But in that fateful moment, amazed by her beauty and courage, he held out his scepter, and granted her request.
I think that’s how God will treat us. When we come into His throne room, dressed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, He will also give us mercy and favor. We can ask him anything!
8. “48” x 72″ Commissioned Portrait, in Progress”
Commissioned portrait of couple hiking in New Zealand, in progress, 48″ x 72″ acrylic on canvas, painting, copyright 2018 by Matt Philleo
Lastly, I want to show you this painting, a work in progress. You can read more about the beginnings of it here. This is my second largest painting I’ve ever done. It fills up almost half my studio! It’s a commission from a man in Brunei, who wanted a portrait done of he and his wife climbing beautiful mountains in New Zealand. I’d say it’s about 25% done right now. I thank God for all of His blessings, including this commission.
When it is finished, it will have to be packaged in a wooden crate to protect it in its long journey across the world. My goal is to have it finished by the end of October.
So, that a snapshot of a few of the paintings I’ve been working on this past year. I look forward to sharing them with you at the Falling Leaves Art Studio Tour!
If you have any comments or questions about what I wrote, please leave me your feedback below! I will personally get back to you. Can you help me spread the word? Please share this post with your family and friends by using the social media links on the side or below. Thank you!
It’s easy to get frustrated in the middle of painting an acrylic portrait. Possibly your skin tones aren’t looking natural, or the values are off. Maybe the portrait just doesn’t look like the person you’re trying to capture. When you’re going for realism, and it just isn’t happening, what do you do?
Although you may be tempted to give up, don’t.
I want to give you 3 reasons why:
1. You will save time, paint and materials.
Let’s face it. Painting is a labor of love. As artists, we could choose more lucrative jobs, where our exchange of time for money paid better. But we put a lot of hours into creating a high-quality unique work of art.
So if you have put several hours into a painting only to scrap it and start over, you lost that time. In addition, you lost money with the cost of canvas, paint, and wear and tear on your brushes.
Now, even if you paint just as a hobby, it’s frustrating to take the time to create something and then have nothing to show for that time you allotted in your busy schedule. Finishing the painting makes sense then, even from a purely material standpoint.
2. Pushing past a difficult point in your painting will build your resilience and grow your “artistic muscle”.
It’s easy to give up. Sticking with something when your thoughts and emotions are screaming, “This looks terrible…I’m done with this!” is way, way harder.
This is similar to weightlifting. Serious bodybuilders know they won’t get great results unless they push past the pain. As they break down their muscle tissue, they also break down barriers and limitations they previously had. With that, their muscles grow larger and stronger, because muscles don’t like to be in pain. Endurance and stamina increases.
Several years ago, I created a portrait to celebrate my pastor’s 80th birthday. It was a portrait of him and his wife, a 16 x 20 acrylic on canvas. During a certain point in the painting, it looked pretty bad. My wife came upstairs (where my art studio used to be) and peered in to see how I was doing. She said, “That just doesn’t look right. I don’t know if you can pull it off.”
Umm…thanks!
I thought for a moment, “Can I pull this off?” Well, God helped me to “pull it off” many times. He wasn’t about to quit now. I ignored the doubt and kept at it.
I figured I had a photo that shows me what it should look like. I had a roadmap, a blueprint to tell me how to get there, how to build. And even if I took a scenic detour for a bit, I’d get it where it needed to be, eventually.
A painting is never ruined. It’s just that it might take longer to fix than you would like!
3. You will learn ways of resolving issues in your painting that you can use in future paintings.
In the case of this particular portrait, I learned that even though mid-stage during the painting process, the likeness of the subject may be off, I can correct the facial features with additional layers and it will start to look like the person.
Here is the portrait in the beginning stages. Early on, there is a lot of excitement in creating a painting. I had great expectations for how it would turn out, and I cut myself a lot of slack, because I knew I just started it.
Portrait of Pastor & Mrs. Philip Palser, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas, 2005 by fine artist Matt Philleo, Step 1
But then as I invest more time into it, I expect that a painting should start “behaving” and looking pretty good, for all the time I put into it. However, that doesn’t always happen. In fact, for me, it usually doesn’t.
Portrait of Pastor & Mrs. Philip Palser, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas, 2005 by fine artist Matt Philleo, Step 2
Somewhere around these two stages. the painting looked pretty goofy, and it’s about at this point where my wife remarked, “I don’t know if you can pull this one off.” She said that the pastor’s wife looked like some weird “california girl.”
Even though I was tempted for a moment to give up, I thought something along the lines of, “I know what this needs to look like in the end. I’ve got my reference photo next to me. I’ve got some paint and a palette. Sooner or later, it’s going to look like it should and it will turn out alright.”
Portrait of Pastor & Mrs. Philip Palser, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas, 2005 by fine artist Matt Philleo, Step 3
After a few more hours, the painting started to turn the corner. Even though I think I had painted certain areas of the faces a bit too dark, I was able to layer over them with just the right mix of colors to adjust what was off.
When you are establishing values and colors on your faces, sometimes the accuracy you had in your sketch will be thrown off. Capturing these shadows are vital to making a person’s face look like the person you are trying to capture. Since shadows describe the contours and shapes of eyebrow ridges, noses, cheekbones, jawlines, and so many other parts on a human face, it’s important to realize that during the in-between stages, you won’t have an accurate likeness. It’s like a sculptor who has to chisel off many fragments of marble or wood to get the beautiful sculpture that was hiding inside the whole time.
Soon enough, I could see the likenesses taking shape.
That excitement of certain areas of the picture starting to look great then compels you to work even harder to get to the finish line of a signed portrait.
Portrait of Pastor & Mrs. Philip Palser, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas, 2005 by fine artist Matt Philleo, Step 4
There was still a lot of detail work to do: many nuances to add in the clothing, details in the face and bricks in the church sign. It took a lot of patience, but it paid off. After about 35-40 hours, I had a finished painting!
Portrait of Pastor & Mrs. Philip Palser, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas, 2005 by fine artist Matt Philleo
I presented this to my pastor and his wife at his 80th birthday party. They loved it. That was 12 years ago, by the way. He is now 92, and still preaches (although not as much as he used to) today!
So again, I want to encourage you: if you are painting a portrait in acrylic, the next time you feel like giving up at a certain part in the process, push past it and keep going. Continually refer back to your reference photo, and paint exactly what you see. If you don’t give up, you will have the confidence knowing that you can finish what you started, and your paintings will never get the best of you. But you will give your paintings the best, and have something excellent to show for your efforts.
I’m writing this post on Good Friday, and this whole idea of finishing what you started, pushing past the difficulty, and seeing what good can come as a result, makes me think of Jesus’ passion. He could have decided as the going got tough–incredibly tough–knowing in advance what He would endure on the cross, to abandon his plan of providing salvation for the world by dying on the cross for our sins.
But instead, he headed for Jerusalem, knowing what would happen to Him there.
In the garden of Gethsemane, when it would have been easier to turn away from the preordained plan of experiencing God’s wrath for sin and even having His relationship with His father broken for a time, he prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done.”
And three days later, we all know…”the rest of the story.”
Portion of “Perfect Servant,” acrylic on canvas, 2002, by Matt Philleo
All this to say, there is great reward for not giving up, both in this life and the next. Happy Easter…and Happy painting!
–Matt
Share Your Thoughts!
If you have any comments or questions about what I wrote, please leave me your feedback below at the very bottom of the page! I will personally get back to you. Can you help me spread the word? Please share this post with your family and friends by using the social media links on the side or at the bottom of this page. Thank you!
For quite a while, I’ve wanted to do some instructional videos on painting and drawing. Here is my very first video! This is very off the cuff, and impromptu.
Basically, I’m just talking and showing you a behind the scenes peek as I work in my studio on a current painting commission, which is in progress, about 70% done.
In the future, I plan on doing more instructional videos, courses and live courses at my new studio at Artisan Forge Studios in Eau Claire. I don’t drink anymore, so who knows, maybe I’ll do a “Paint and Dip” event where you can create your own painting while enjoying a nice side of chips and homemade guacamole! ( l love guac and making it fresh from scratch!)
This video does cut off abruptly–which I do apologize for–but let me know me know what you think!
(Click the link below to see this video on my YouTube channel)
If you have any comments or questions about this post, please leave me your feedback below! I will personally get back to you. Can you help me spread the word? Please share this post with your family and friends by using the social media links below. Thank you!
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