The Work of Artist Matt Bernson: March 2011

Spring 2011 Self-Portraits (so far)

The concentration of my portfolio in high school for the AP art exam was self-portraits. Also for when I applied to MassArt.

"Self-Portrait Started on a Shitty Day" 2011 oil on canvas-board

"Self-portrait as a Thug" 2011 oil on canvas-board

For the thug piece, I was inspired by thinking about anime high-school yakuza-wannabe punks. That ridiculous sneer makes me wanna crack up laughing each time I see it.

"Self-portrait with Brush for Business Card" 2011 mixed media on paper

"Self-portrait Cold Blue Highlight" 2011 mixed media on paper 36"x24"

Headstab and Dragon

I love dragons, will never stop drawing them. With this one, I tried to change it up by having it sleeping, and give it some environment via cave.

"Dragon Nap" 2011 mixed media on paper 8"x6"

"Stabbing the Cheesehead" 2011 mixed media on paper 8"x6"

The inspiration for the dude getting stabbed in the head was from looking at a chunk of cheese that had a cheese knife stabbed into it at a Christmas party.

One Long Pose, Five Drawings

From 7pm-9:30pm, with a few breaks in between. Instead of working on one drawing the whole time, I went at it five times---trying a different method each time.

"Vita Grey" 2011 mixed media on paper 8"x6"

"Vita Red" 2011 mixed media on paper 8"x6"

"Vita Portrait" 2011 mixed media on paper 8"x6"

"Vita Pink" 2011 mixed media on paper 8"x6"

"Vita Yellow" 2011 mixed media on paper 8"x6"

Zombie and Werewolf

Undead are fun to do, especially with the liberties that you can take. The key to zombies is to make them look like they're falling apart....and hungry.

"Commando Guts" 2011 mixed media on paper 8.5"x11"

Probably the most detailed zombie drawing I've done.

"Werewolf Looks Back" 2011 mixed media on paper 8"x6"

I was pretty happy with how I got the furry look via the graphite over the ink dry-brush.

I find myself drawing monsters with their fanged mouths open wide on a regular basis. One of my teachers last year pointed it out to me. Just 'cause I like drawin' teeth doesn't mean I like goin' to the dentist.

"Serpent Snarl" 2011 mixed media on paper 8"x6"

"Cackling Skull" 2011 mixed media on paper 8"x6"

"Screaming Cyclops" 2010 mixed media on paper 8"x6"

Muscle Monsters

For some reason, when I draw male monsters, they're usually ridiculously jacked. I'll admit, I watched plenty o' Schwarzenegger movies as a kid. That prol'ly has somethin' to do with it.

"Red Cyclops Wrestler" 2011 mixed media on paper 8"x6"

"Super-jacked Frog Mutant" 2011 mixed media on paper 8"x6"

Why would a frog have such ridiculously muscled arms? I guess that's why he's a mutant.

"Muscle-bound Turtle Mutant" 2011 mixed media on paper 8"x6"

I don't think he's a teenager or a ninja, but he's definitely a turtle and a mutant.

Figure Drawings 1

I like to do as much figure drawing as possible. Drawing the figure from observation trains my hand and mind to the human proportion, and drawing characters is what I'm all about.