Mark Tompsett Interview
1) How long have you been making art?
I started drawing eight years ago after my first trip to India, progressed to painting with acrylics and then moved to painting with oils. I have been painting with a palette knife only for the past five years now. I don't know why, I just like it!
2) What genre best describes your art?
Don't know? I only paint faces but they are not really portraits, more painting expressions or capturing a moment in time?? I love to buzz around with a camera, taking pictures quickly. Every now and then you capture a gem!
3) How has your artwork evolved since you began?
My work from then to now is purely about feeling and practice. I paint every day. That is the way I have evolved.
4) Is there a medium or technique that you have not tried but would like to?
Watercolours.... But I just get carried away with the oils. I would love to try it one day though.
5) What would your ideal solo exhibition be like and where would it be held?
It would be of expressions in faces at the National Portrait Gallery. That would be the ultimate and the most I could wish for!!
6) If you could, what would you change about the art world?
Art profiteering.....art should be purchased because it is loved, seen and adored.
7) Which artist either historically or current influence you the most?
Freud ...Jenny Savillle and Maggie Hambling. I also love the expressionist styles of Egon Schiele and Oskar kokoschka.
8) If you could choose just one...what would your favourite painting be?
Lucien Freud's Portrait of the queen. Very brave!!
9) Where did you sell your first artwork and how did it feel?
At a market in Margate and was sad to see it go!!
10) What are you planning to exhibit at the New Artist Fair this weekend?
A number of my works....all with a history behind them. I like to catch a mood or a feeling. I hope people will see this and not just see a painting of a face, as this is only half of the work for me!
I started drawing eight years ago after my first trip to India, progressed to painting with acrylics and then moved to painting with oils. I have been painting with a palette knife only for the past five years now. I don't know why, I just like it!
2) What genre best describes your art?
Don't know? I only paint faces but they are not really portraits, more painting expressions or capturing a moment in time?? I love to buzz around with a camera, taking pictures quickly. Every now and then you capture a gem!
3) How has your artwork evolved since you began?
My work from then to now is purely about feeling and practice. I paint every day. That is the way I have evolved.
4) Is there a medium or technique that you have not tried but would like to?
Watercolours.... But I just get carried away with the oils. I would love to try it one day though.
5) What would your ideal solo exhibition be like and where would it be held?
It would be of expressions in faces at the National Portrait Gallery. That would be the ultimate and the most I could wish for!!
6) If you could, what would you change about the art world?
Art profiteering.....art should be purchased because it is loved, seen and adored.
7) Which artist either historically or current influence you the most?
Freud ...Jenny Savillle and Maggie Hambling. I also love the expressionist styles of Egon Schiele and Oskar kokoschka.
8) If you could choose just one...what would your favourite painting be?
Lucien Freud's Portrait of the queen. Very brave!!
9) Where did you sell your first artwork and how did it feel?
At a market in Margate and was sad to see it go!!
10) What are you planning to exhibit at the New Artist Fair this weekend?
A number of my works....all with a history behind them. I like to catch a mood or a feeling. I hope people will see this and not just see a painting of a face, as this is only half of the work for me!
