Matt Smith is an outdoor painter whose style may best be described as Impressionistic Naturalism. His lyrical brush work and impressionistic portrayal of light and shadow are informed by his love of the great outdoors.

Matt earned a BFA from Arizona State University. Disillusioned with their focus on abstract painting and modern art, Matt turned his attention to instructors who embodied representational art that spoke to Matt's heart and vision. That's when his real education in painting began in earnest. His love of the outdoors naturally led to his embrace of plein air painting.

His skills as an outdoor painter eventually led to him becoming a signature member of the Plein Air Painters of America group, and he is currently serving as PAPA's president.

In this art lesson from Matt Smith, you will hear:

• Why Matt is reluctant to call himself an artist
• The value of painting outdoors
• How a photograph is a useful tool to a painter, but beware photography's limitations
• Mastering the fundamentals
• Laws vs. rules of painting
• Why an artist should ask if the subject is even worthy of painting
• Matt's new online video course
• What’s in Matt’s outdoor painting tool box

Matt Smith's website: https://mattsmithstudio.com

Matt Smith's online course Understanding Natural Light: http://www.tucsonartacademyonline.com/matt-smith-artist-instructional-video

2019 Master Workshop (Plein Air Painters of America): http://p-a-p-a.com/page/11071/2019-master-workshop-scottsdale-artists-school-scottsdale-az

The Artful Painter website: https://theartfulpainter.com