Matthew Lyons is an artist from Keighley in West Yorkshire who settled in Beeston in Nottingham. He is best known for his figurative and portrait work, where he tries to capture his sitters in an interesting pose with unusual use of palette and texture. He has participated in notable art competitions, including the Sky Portrait Artist of the Year, and has been shortlisted for the Jackson's Art Prize and the Herbert Smith Freehills Portait Prize.

Lyons primarily works with oil paints on heavily primed plywood boards, starting his pieces with charcoal sketches. His approach to painting involves creating textured and layered compositions, sometimes using a limited palette to emphasize mid-tones and contrast. 

 

His portraits aim to capture the personality and likeness of his subjects, often using broad brushstrokes and detailed attention to the eyes and mouth.

In addition to his individual work, Lyons has been involved in community art projects like the "People of Beeston," where he painted portraits of the local residents of his adopted home town.

 

His experience on Sky Portrait Artist of the Year was a significant moment in his career, providing both challenges and opportunities for artistic growth.

 

Lyons' work has been influenced by artists like Lucian Freud, Paula Rego, and Vincent van Gogh, and he continues to explore new techniques and narratives in his art.
 

Exhibitions & Achievements
Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award, Shortlisted, 2025.

TALP Art Prize, Highly Recommended, 2024.
Royal West of England Academy Open, Bristol, 2023.
Longlisted, Visual Art Open, 2023.
Rising Artists, Bankside Gallery, London 2023.
Sky TV Portrait Artist of the Year Contestant, 2023.
New Art Exchange Open, Nottingham, 2023.
Shortlisted, Jackson's Painting Prize, 2023.
Solo Exhibition, 'The People of Beeston', 2022.
Certificate of Artistic Achievement, Luxembourg Art Prize 2022.
The Bath Open, City of Bath, 2022.
Shortlisted, The Harley Open, Mansfield, 2022.
Shortlisted, Royal Association of British Artists Open, 2022.
The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London, 2021.
Certificate of Artistic Achievement, Luxembourg Art Prize 2021.
D31 Gallery Open Exhibition, Doncaster, 2021.
The Harley Open, Mansfield, 2020.

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Matthew Lyons Art
matthewlyonsart@gmail.com
07969190169