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  Artist's Bio  

Mark grew up near Derby, and apart from going to study design and work formatively in Sheffield, he has stayed around the inspiring landscape of the Peak District. The rural settings are a tonic and these are reflected in his work. His rustic themed pictures were not conscious when he started out on animal portraiture. His first animal studies were commissioned.

You can spot Mark's work traditionally by its highly detailed finish in graphite and colour pencil. Described as photorealistic expressionism. Watercolour and other paints have added to and changed the style and character of his work more recently and made it more diverse.

Mark’s background has shaped his approach. His drawing skills are entirely self-taught and were developed before he had any formal tuition. However, his interest in photography and the influence of his HND in graphic design and illustration have refined his eye for image creation and composition.

Mark's design background has never left him and his widening love for all things skilled and considered. There is an open minded if not intriguingly fastidious way about his work. Mark's love of the designed approach is more than an illustrative way, but it has led him to have a considered approach that is

instinctive and part of him. The work runs deep in thought before it starts and is about a technical mindfulness. A whole evaluation flows naturally into the work.

Mark is inspired primarily by the humour of animals. He looks for a thought or idea to attach to the animal, the setting is usually to heighten the idea. Floating hair, seeds or dust to add atmosphere are important extras subtly used. He visualises the idea and its adaptations in his head whilst gathering the source material. The idea might happen immediately or take months of thought.

“Photorealism isn't a simple process when I make it more complicated by not just using my working photography and any brief sketches. I like to trouble over crafting it and I can't help but refine, its just my personality. I tinker but don't agonise where possible. The madness comes when a composition could work a few ways, its not a bad thing though to trouble over this!".

Architectural studies came later with Mark's increasing love for how art can be a built structure in decline. "A process of keeping an ever open eye is the way. I always keep my camera ready for old structures and what could be interesting as art. I discard many ideas along the way."



Mark Langley Artist by Caroline Bridges Photography

  Features and Publications

Talking Point UK Coloured Pencil Society November 2017
Wonder Street www.wonderstreet.com/blog June 2015
Artsbeat (Derbyshire) March 2015
4Walls (larsonjuhl.co.uk) Edition 10 2013
Derbyshire Life July 2011
Art Horse Magazine
Spring 2010
Reflections January 2010
Artists and Illustrators March 2009
The Derbyshire July 2008

cultpens.com/news 'Hurray or Coloured Pencils!' March 2020  
blog.pencils.com August 2011   jacksonsart.com/blog April 2018
wonderstreet.com/blog April 2017
 
DK Books 'Artist's Drawing Techniques' 'Baddesley Clinton Door and Window' double page spread of how to draw this picture. Publication release August 2017
Buxton International Festival printed guide 'Scrivener's View' - 'Books' header image 2017
Pure Buxton 'Pavilion Reflection' cover design June/July 2017
The Ark 'Nosey Cow' cover design (www.all-creatures.org) Sept 2011

'Baddesley Clinton Door and Window' was used in the August 2017 release DK Books 'Artist's Drawing Techniques'

Awards

Buxton International Festival Choice in The Buxton Spa Art Prize 2021
for 'Crescent Illumination'


People's Choice Award
in the Keswick Derwent Pencil Museum virtual exhibition 2020
UK Coloured Pencil Society
for 'Tom, Georgia and Isla'

Highly Commended
in the Keswick Derwent Pencil Museum virtual exhibition 2020
UK Coloured Pencil Society
for 'Tom, Georgia and Isla'

Highly Commended
in the Inside the Lines online exhibition 2019
UK Coloured Pencil Society
for 'Isabella and Bailey'

3rd Prize Other Media
in Upper Broughton Art Show 2019
for 'Chapel Buttress Ascent'

Highly Commended in Upper Broughton Art Show 2019
for 'Clumber Park Long Range Greenhouse'

Best Pure Coloured Pencil Award in Annual Open Exhibition 2019
UK Coloured Pencil Society
for 'Clumber Park Long Range Greenhouse'

Commendation in 2018 Derbyshire Open Art Competition
for 'Pilsbury Castle Tree'

Highly Commended in Annual Open Exhibition 2018

UK Coloured Pencil Society
for
'Harry'


Highly Commended in Upper Broughton Art Show 2017
for 'Aspectus Apricus'

The Derbyshire Trophy in 2017 Derbyshire Open Art Competition
for 'Pavilion Reflection'

Pencils4Artists Award for Best Building/Transport in Annual Open Exhibition 2017

UK Coloured Pencil Society for ''Haddon Hall II'

Highly Commended in The Buxton Spa Prize 2016
for 'Scrivener's View'

Buxton Festival Choice in The Buxton Spa Prize 2016
for 'Scrivener's View''

People's Choice
in The Buxton Spa Prize 2016
for 'Scrivener's View''

Derbyshire County Council Award in 2013 Derbyshire Open Art Competition
for 'Haddon Hall'

Society of All Artists Prize 2008 in Society of Equestrian Artists Annual Show at
The Mall Galleries for 'Contemplation'

Favourite Picture voted for by The Horse Trust 2008 in The Horse in Art at Obsidian Art
for 'Contemplation'
 
 
Copyright © 2012 Mark Langley Fine Artist. All rights reserved.