Here are what some people have to say about Matthew and his work...
"Matthew Ryan drew some illustrations for my book The Longbow. His expert draughtsmanship, combined with his knowledge and feel for historical period produced images of immense insight. His objects are tactile and his people are believable, performing dynamic actions in an authentic and credible manner. Matthew creates compelling images of the past that bring it to life."
Mike Loades
Matthew always brings history to life, Not only that, I am constantly impressed by his attention to detail and his quest for accuracy, not only for his main subject matter but also the background.
Mike Ingram, Military Historian, Author and Medieval Battlefield Guide
Matthew Ryan is both an Historical Illustrator and a Fine Artist. Matthew's work has appeared in publications such as Osprey Publishing, Channel 4's "Walking Through History with Tony Robinson, Medieval Warfare Magazine and Desperta Ferro Magazine. His prints are already becoming popular with collectors and history enthusiasts worldwide.
His work combines detailed and painstakingly researched elements along with a painting and drawing style that is both naturalistic and descriptive. His work gives the viewer both an impression of the times and the humanity of his pieces combined with an eye for capturing the landscape help the viewer feel they are in the scene and the people are alive within the scene.
After graduating with a BA Hons Degree in Illustration Matthew worked for over ten years as a designer before combining his passions of history and art and deciding to work as an historical artist/illustrator. He believes that drawing and painting what he loves and understands has given his work an extra degree of credibility and his passion for what he does can be seen within each image.
The depth and quality of his work seems to build with each new piece. Matthew is looking forward to some exciting new commissions for the new year and also has an ever expanding list of themes that he wishes to cover and make available to people. One of these will be a series of paintings and drawings that Matthew plans to produce for the forthcoming 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt in 2015. Matthew is a keen archer and has enjoyed shooting what is now known as the English Warbow for many years. He is also being a keen fletcher, making his own medieval style arrows similar to those found and excavated from the sunken Mary Rose warship.
