MATT SMITH
SIMPLIFYING
THE LANDSCAPE
MATT SMITH
365 DAY ACCESS
MENTORING COURSE
$895 USD
COURSE REOPENS
MARCH 6, 2025
(Spaces will be limited)
WHAT’S INSIDE
Landscape painting can be overwhelming, especially when faced with challenges like uncertain color choices, struggling to design strong compositions, or properly blocking in masses. You might even feel frustrated when your paintings turn out overly detailed, despite your best efforts to simplify.
That’s exactly why Matt’s course is here—to help you tackle these common challenges head-on. With a carefully curated program designed for progress, you’ll gain the tools and techniques needed to refine your skills. Best of all, you’ll have Matt as your mentor throughout the year, offering invaluable feedback on your artwork and guiding you toward solutions that work.
If you’ve been searching for the right support to overcome these hurdles and take your paintings to the next level, you’ve found it. Let Matt help you navigate the world of landscape painting. Matt will bring out more of YOU and why you were so drawn to paint in the first place. He knows that every brushstroke becomes a chance to grow. He holds nothing back from his students!
MODULE 1 | INTRO
I will begin this course with a brief description on how it is laid out. This will aid students in anticipating what is to come. I will then review my choice of preferred supplies and equipment for both field and studio work. There are so many products out there that even the most seasoned professional can end up confused over what really works. A strong understanding of these products will allow us to focus on the more important principles to come. I will also spend time on how my studio is laid out including lighting, ventilation, organization and much more. Then, I’ll discuss my field kit, and how to slim down what I take outdoors so that I am not burdened or limited by excessive weight.
MODULE 2 | DRAWING
It all starts with drawing. Without believable, accurate drawing your painting won't work. In this module I will discuss the two basic properties of drawing, and how to use them to analyze your subject in an effort to better understand the painting at hand. I will then illustrate these points with a detailed demonstration that reinforces these all important properties.
MODULE 3 | VALUE
People often times overlook value in favor of color. That's a big mistake. If your values aren't accurate, color will not save the painting. In this module, I will discuss the importance of value, what to look for, and how to simplify your value range to reinforce design. I will also cover the use of value to create a strong sense of light, atmospheric perspective, mood, and impact. I will then support these points with a demonstration that illustrates these concepts and also showcase strong value contrast, and large, simple masses with a very close value range.
MODULE 4 | DESIGN
Design is nothing more that the arrangement of elements in space. Not just physical things, but shape, value, line, color, texture, edges and much more. Elements that make art rather than paintings. I will discuss these points and what to consider when analyzing and selecting a solid, paintable motif. A motif with a strong yet simple presence. A motif that puts you closer to a successful work of art. From format to finish, I will then illustrate these points with a demonstration that clearly shows balance form left to right, top to bottom, and foreground to background. I will do so with a subject that clearly supports many of the elements discussed.
MODULE 5 | COLOR
Color . . . that almighty, exciting fundamental that we all respond to differently. The most personal of the basics. One that evokes emotion in a unique way for each of us. But wait, if color is so important, why is it the only fundamental that we can do without? In module five, I will discuss this. I will cover the four properties of color, and how to use them to select your palette, in an effort to maximize range. In addition, I’ll cover the importance of these four properties when it comes to analyzing your subject. I’ll then spend time on mixing with complements, the use of broken color, and why earth colors can be so significant and at the same time dangerous when painting the landscape. All these points will be illustrated in a demonstration that showcases a subject with a strong color temperature contrast.
SUGGESTED SUPPLY LIST
{Although Matt has a preference for oil paint, he is happy to help students explore and work with their preferred medium, whether it's acrylics, gouache, pastels, or watercolors.}
BONUS | A SOLID START - APPLYING THE FUNDAMENTALS WHEN SELECTING A MOTIF
Only students in this course receive this special bonus video - it’s not available for purchase anywhere.
In this 88-minute never-before-seen video, Matt shares how to select a motif that clearly illustrates all of the fundamentals discussed in this course.
A start-to-finish painting demonstration where you'll see his thought process and blueprint for capturing a scene on location and how he composes the photograph back in the studio.
Then find out his techniques for moving elements around in an effort to reinforce the composition, how to play up value shifts or make them more subtle, when to exaggerate color in an effort to create impact or depth, and why the use of warm and cool contrasts will help increase interest.
You can download and save this video in a safe place. It's yours to keep as a takeaway when your course access ends.
MEET YOUR MENTOR
~ MATT SMITH
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, and moved with his family when he was very young to Scottsdale, Arizona. During his grade-school years, the family lived for a few years in Toulouse, France, and Geneva, Switzerland. He traveled to various other countries, including Italy, Germany, Austria, and Spain which exposed him to the work of many of the great masters. This stimulated his interest in art and was a contributing factor in what was to become his lifelong commitment to painting.
His connection to actual subjects allows Matt to paint landscapes from direct observation during all seasons, reinforcing both his plein-air and studio work. He is considered one of the premier plein-air painters in the United States. He has several prestigious awards for his work and has participated in numerous major museum shows.
Matt is a true artist of American landscapes and for over 30 years Matt has been teaching his craft so well - you can’t help but improve.
I'm excited to connect with you and help you grow as an artist, whether you’re just beginning or quite advanced. ~ Matt Smith
Matt is a Signature Member of the prestigious PAPA (Plein-air Painter's of America)
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“I wanted to express a big THANK YOU to Matt and my classmates. I didn’t know what to expect when I signed up for this class, but it exceeded expectations by a mile—especially the private community group, where Matt thoughtfully critiques every post. I was initially concerned about the number of students in class, but it turned out to be an asset. Yes, I’ve learned maybe more from other students than from my own posts. I’ve learned more about design, perspective, values, massing, reflected light, counter angles, brushwork, texture, shadows, and - most notably, documenting or celebrating a place. Matt is always spot-on with his critiques. His support, warmth, consistency, humor, generosity - and superhuman ability to work with everyone simultaneously! You’re the BEST mentor.”
“On this journey with Matt, I have learned a lot. I learned important techniques and composition criteria, which showed me how to get up after failures and continue. Matt, your private course community also contributed to this. I learned so much from studying your critiques and your comments on all the student’s work. Your detailed explanations, which even beginners could understand, encouraged me greatly. You have a great way of teaching others. The course videos are great, didactically thoughtful, and educational, and I have watched some more than once to better understand the lessons and internalize the principles. Thank you very much, Matt, it was an honor to be mentored by you.”
“The format of the course is really great. With Matt keeping the foundational principles at the core of his mentoring and allowing us to refer back to these really reinforces our learning. It’s so interesting how varied our paintings are within this course yet the lessons help everyone advance. The course is also such a supportive environment; everyone is encouraging and helpful. An artist’s life is often spent in the enjoyable self-imposed isolation of our studios or solo Plein air painting outings, but this online format has been a creative lifeline for us all. Thank you Matt for all you do to make us better!”
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Whether you’re an intermediate artist working to improve your skills or a more advanced student aiming to refine your landscapes, this course provides the tools and guidance you need to take your work to the next level. It’s focused, practical, and designed to help you achieve measurable progress in your artistic journey.
Access to Matt for a Full Year: This isn’t a workshop or a one-day class; it’s 365 days of personalized mentoring and guidance from Matt himself.
Learn at Your Own Pace: All the content is pre-recorded, so you can study whenever and wherever you want. The course is accessible 24/7 on any device with internet access, ensuring your art journey fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
Over-the-Shoulder Demonstrations: Gain insights from more than 20 hours of finely crafted video oil demonstrations. Each module includes assignments and photo references to help you apply what you’ve learned. Rewatch as often as you like, discovering new insights with every viewing.
Fresh Content Every Month: Stay inspired with monthly video lessons covering specific topics, tips, and techniques. Matt’s insights will keep your creative spark alive while encouraging you to try new approaches in your work. As an enrolled student, you’ll also gain access to all the monthly content from previous years, housed in an ever-growing archived library of lessons. If there’s a subject you’d like Matt to expand on, let him know! Students often share how these lessons help them push boundaries and develop new skills.
Access a Private, Secure Community—No Social Media Required!
We’ve taken a bold step forward by leaving Facebook groups behind and creating a brand-new, purpose-built community platform just for you. Imagine a distraction-free, social-media-free space designed exclusively for artists like you—seamlessly integrated into your account library.
This is more than just a platform; it’s your creative hub. Here, you’ll connect with Matt and a supportive group of like-minded students, share your work, ask your burning questions, and receive personalized guidance tailored to your artistic journey.
Welcome to a space where your focus stays on what truly matters: your growth, creativity, and connection with a mentor and community who genuinely care about your success.
Supportive Community with Matt’s Leadership: Imagine being part of Matt’s inner circle—a collaborative environment where you’ll receive personalized feedback on your paintings and exclusive insights into his art life, stories, and travels. As a member of this close-knit community, you’ll gain access to a deeper connection with Matt, seeing firsthand how a professional working artist approaches their craft and creative journey. It’s no wonder many students have said, “There is nothing else as personal available online! For a full year, you’ll experience mentorship that accelerates your progress and helps you grow in ways you never imagined.”
If you’re ever struggling with a problem or need help, Matt’s course has you covered with its exclusive AI-powered search feature. This cutting-edge tool acts as your personal guide through Matt’s extensive knowledge and expertise, built entirely using his own words and video content. Simply ask a question, and the AI instantly searches through hours of course material, pinpointing the exact moment where your topic is addressed. Whether you prefer to watch the video or read the automatic transcription, the choice is yours—learning tailored to your style. This feature saves you valuable time and keeps you focused on what matters most: painting!!! Experience the future of course mentoring and see how Matt’s personal AI can help you get further, faster, and elevate your art!
Access to an Extensive Archive: Gain immediate access to a comprehensive library of Matt’s past critiques, spanning years of invaluable insights. These recorded sessions, available in the Bi-Monthly Office Hours module, feature real student submissions with detailed feedback and step-by-step guidance. They include digitally color-correcting their work right before your eyes and practical solutions to common painting challenges. Watching Matt’s process provides actionable advice and a deeper understanding of techniques, making this archive a powerful resource to refine your skills, solve problems, and elevate your work—at your own pace.
DISCOVER WHY THIS COURSE IS DIFFERENT!
As an art student, you know the immense value of in-person workshops and classes for developing new skills. They provide inspiration, new techniques, and a burst of motivation. But when the workshop ends, and you return home, it’s easy to feel lost and unsupported, unsure of how to keep progressing on your own.
That’s exactly why we created this mentoring course. With 365 days of access, you’ll have the guidance and support you need for an entire year—every step of the way.
This course is more than just a set of lessons; it’s a supportive and collaborative journey. With Matt Smith as your mentor, you’ll never face challenges alone. Matt is dedicated to helping you overcome obstacles, stay motivated, and push through moments of self-doubt, ensuring you keep growing as an artist.
Here’s what makes this course different:
Knowledge That Keeps Giving: This course lays a foundation that will continue to benefit you long after the year is over. Whether you’re an intermediate artist working to improve your skills or a more advanced student aiming to refine your landscapes, Matt’s mentorship meets you where you are and helps you polish your skills.
A Community Like No Other: This isn’t just a course—it’s a collaborative experience with Matt and a group of like-minded students. Together, you’ll inspire, challenge, and support one another’s growth in an encouraging and creative environment.
We invite you to join us and see why so many students return for more. Many continue as alumni for years. This mentoring course gives you the tools, guidance, and community to thrive in your artistic journey.
SIMPLIFYING
THE LANDSCAPE
$895 USD
COURSE REOPENS
MARCH 6, 2025
(Spaces will be limited)