THE MENU by Matthew Haydn Jeanes
13 August 2024
It’s interesting where the inspiration for a painting comes from, I firmly believe the subject finds YOU not the other way round. Hence, may I introduce my new piece. THE MENU by Matthew Haydn Jeanes – watercolour on paper. August 2024. I feel this is not really a PORTRAIT but a MOMENT.. the light (back lit, the reflection of the garden outside, the front light from the pub, the mixed shadows on his face), the contemplation, the drink. Taking that all important moment to decide. Interestingly, it was far more complicated than some of my most recent pieces.
I hope you like it
MY LITTLE PONY and ME!
8 August 2024
MY LITTLE PONY. This was my first job in 1984! I went for the job at a company called W.F.M in Bath, They had a big ‘toy’ client called HASBRO and were looking for an artist to illustrate this massive brand. I applied but as I was fresh out of college they decided to give the job to a more experienced artist called Neil and gave me a job a month later as an illustration junior.
The day I started they put me in a small studio on a drawing board next to Neil’s desk, The art boss set me up and looking at my board and Neils desk said ” Don’t worry, you’ll have HIS desk by this afternoon”, I then had to work alongside the (seething) guy I was going to replace at the end of the day. Apparently, Neil had used someone else’s work to get the job and wasn’t up to the task so, he was sacked and I took his place. I’ve NEVER had such an uncomfortable day before or since. What a baptism of fire!
I was a success painting the brand and had to meticulously colour match and study every new Pony months before it was released. It fine tuned my colour mixing skills, though I did come home as high as a kite as most pony’s were highly PERFUMED and SCENTED.. as my desk was adorned with every product..there was no escape!
My training on this innocuous little horse set me up for other brands to follow such as CARE BEARS, POSTMAN PAT, RAINBOW BRITE, JEM, POLLY POCKET, FIREMAN SAM etc, etc.. this success leading me to FOREVER FRINDS (U.K Mega Brand) as the original artists 2nd (and the only other person allowed to illustrate it at that time) at BROWNSWORD then brand leader at HALLMARK. I then moved onto WINNIE THE POOH at Disney (for ATHENA/CARTEL).. THE MUPPETS and Henson’s and on and on, the rest as they say.. is HISTORY.
So.. I owe and awful lot to this colourful little pony.
DOODLEFEST at The Holburne Museum
8 August 2024
I’ve been very fortunate to be included by Louise and Anna in many of the DOODLEFEST events at The HOLBURNE MUSEUM this summer. All the art has been to celebrate their Mr DOODLE exhibit and I have been working on various events such as Male mental health, Summer schools and the big Doodlefest event itself. All a great success and all great fun.
ARTISTS & ILLUSTRATORS Magazine- September 2024
1 August 2024
My latest article is out today in the September edition of Artists & Illustrators magazine featuring’Summer Rain’.
BRUGES CRUISE Postcard
5 July 2024
My new publicity for BRUGES CRUISE
BRUGES CRUISE by Matthew Haydn Jeanes
30 June 2024
My new painting, BRUGES CRUISE by Matthew Haydn Jeanes- 2024. Watercolour on paper.
On holiday last year, we took a dusk tour of the canals of BRUGES, the still water and the dark reflections along with the boat, put away for the night, seemed very calming and a nice subject for a painting.
I actually started this piece back in March, but not having painted this year, I put it to one side. Then having started painting again with SUMMER RAIN and THE ARTISTS OF WIMBORNE (which were tough challenges) I felt ‘practiced’ enough to try again. It was a MASSIVE challenge, It’s actually looser in reality than it looks here, it’s a bit smaller than A2.
THE DARK OF THE MINE
19 June 2024
Sometimes when, as a primary school teacher, we are called to demonstrate an idea and a particular medium (Oil Pastels) and the finished piece (that in this case, took just 5 minutes), can surprise you. I did this piece as an example for my year 5’s for their topic of TRADE AND INDUSTRY (Life down the mines in the U.K). The students all watched and listened intently and went on to produce some great work.. while I was left with this piece.. that I was liked.
Starting a new painting!
19 June 2024
I’m working on a new piece.. It’s certainly pushing me to my limits and I don’t think I have used quite this much masking fluid on a piece before, but it certainly makes it interesting to see what I will have when it all comes off and where I have to go with the picture afterwards.. we shall see….
THE ARTISTS OF WIMBORNE Postcard
15 June 2024
THE ARTISTS OF WIMBORNE by Matthew Haydn Jeanes 2024
8 June 2024
My new painting, THE ARTISTS OF WIMBORNE (*Paul) by Matthew Haydn Jeanes, Watercolour on paper 2024. I was asked to participate in an Artists painting festival/competition in Wimborne back in May. I declined to join in as I had hurt my hand, I didn’t know the village and my painting process (watercolour) is a little more time consuming than the event would allow. Staying with friends, we went along anyway. About 100 artists attended and all chose different areas of Wimborne to paint, the weather was glorious and while watching the painters work, I was asked what I would have painted if I had joined in, without hesitation I said “I’d paint the artists painting”. I saw THIS guy (Paul) and asked if I could take his picture with the possible intention of painting HIM, he was amused and agreed.. SO, here is my belated contribution. For me, the composition sums up ‘The Artist’, it has beautiful strong light, a mix of textures, it’s also composed of striking PRIMARY colours, the artist himself has all the KIT in travelling form and there’s a hint of the subject he’s painting, as well as the mess of the paint,I also loved the contrast of the white parasol, not only reflecting light but also giving shade.
I hope you like it.
The Artists of Wimborne (*Paul) by Matthew Haydn Jeanes 2024