Matt Knopf is a commission artist/oil painter producing hyper-realistic and high-resolution paintings of families, kids, newborns, weddings, proposals, corporate, wildlife, pets and landscapes. Commission a painting that will last for generations. — MDKNOPF Matt Knopf is a world class hyper-realistic oil painter focusing on portraits, wildlife and unique subject matter. His detailed technique and use of color and layering creates vibrant and deep paintings. Commission a piece that will last for generations.

Thank you for considering commissioning a painting. A high-quality archival oil painting is a piece that will be with your family for generations.

What I paint:

It’s simple. Reach out to me at matthewdknopf@gmail.com and tell me what you would like.
I’ll request you send me images of the subject you would like to have commissioned.
We’ll discuss size, time frames, modifications to the image if any, and anything else to facilitate the progress.
It typically takes 1-2 months per painting, or longer depending on complexity and que.
Once complete I’ll send you a hi-resolution photo to verify quality and acceptance by you. Then I’ll package it up and ship it.

I begin each painting with a drawing of the subject on the canvas, then paint the underlayer which applies a base coat focusing on shape, color and tonal value.
The second layer further refines the subject and this layering process continues until the level of detail is met. It can take as many as 5 layers to complete a painting.
I mix a medium with the paint to increase the archival quality, add transparency and add gloss.
I finish each painting with a gloss varnish to ensure no degradation of color over time.
The surface finish of my work is both thick and smooth. You will never find gesso’d canvas showing through as there is simply too much paint applied with the application of many layers. But this amount of paint does not mean the surface texture is course, in fact just the opposite is true. The surface texture is smooth but deep. This a “rule” of the craft to working in the realm of hyperrealism…photo-finish.

Canvas = Caravaggio Cotton 100%, 9 oz, Extra Fine Texture, … best I have ever used and some of the finest in the world.
Paints = Gamblin and Old Holland primarily, maybe with the occasional Winsor Newton.
Medium = Liquin
Varnish = Gamvar
Stretcher bars = Hand selected heavy duty or I make them my self. I stretch all my own canvases.
Brushes = Typically synthetic and small. Currently I have been buying tons of Blick Scholastic Bright brushes because they are very good, consistently made and inexpensive compared to others. I go through many brushes.