I'm Matt Gibbons

Artist? Illustrator? Painter? I never know what to call myself, but I do know one thing: I enjoy telling stories using watercolour and ink.

I'm a self-taught artist who uses sketchbooks, ink pens and paints to understand the world. I've been painting since 2019 and most of my work is done on-location through observational or urban sketching, sitting on street corners, parks or places to document the world as I see it. I changed career later in life and I'm also a firm believer that anyone can learn to draw and paint with the right study and focus. 

I'm also an educator, and have helped over 2000 students learn my craft. My focus is on making art study truly accessible, authentic and above all - enjoyable. I've created over 40 online video tutorials, countless guides and articles - all with this mission in mind. 

My background is in the non-profit sector so a lot of this I bring to my drawings. I’ve lived and worked in Thailand, Myanmar and Japan  (always with a sketchbook) and enjoy drawing the hidden corners and nuances of these places. A lot of my work is still with non-profits and I’ve helped them to illustrate their work, whether that's education resources in refugee camps, illustrating human rights interviews or simply adding visual texture to a report. 

My work has featured in articles, on packaging and for projects with the United Nations, Save the Children and many other international organisations and companies. I'm a big fan of bringing hand-crafted, tangible illustration practices to the masses and continue to provide custom illustration commissions and art for various projects

Above all, art for me is a process of discovery. Whether it's through learning, doing or simply enjoyment - I like to think that sketch booking and painting can have a positive impact on how we see and interpret the world. 

Get in touch

If you have a project in mind you'd like to discuss or need to get in touch with me, reach out using the form below or at design@mattgibbonsstudio.com