Mark Fennell – Portrait Artist

Mark Fennell is a very talented artist based in Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire,  who specialises in portraiture and figurative work. His medium is predominantly oil paint on canvas. His work is searching, insightful and skillful  in execution. His style though contemporary, evokes for me the precision and detail of the old masters.

Mark and I went to school together, and then onto art college. He specialised in graphic design, though changed his discipline some years ago. He holds many distinguished awards, and has received more than one special commendation in prestigious art competitions, as well as being an elected member of The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists.

Commissions include Anthony Worral Thompson, John Otway and John Hood, Lord Mayor of Birmingham.

The piece below entitled ‘Len’ is my favourite of Mark’s studies. I loved this piece the very first time I saw it.  The dignity and pathos of the individual reaches out from the painting and draws you in. The texture  and detail of the hands and face are wonderful, and one is left wondering much about Len’s life and what took him to this point. His face old and tired, but retaining immense strength of personality and verve.  The eyes that gaze out from the painting have seen much, and a lifetime of toil and struggle is writ there. The hands though gnarled and old, still retain much of their strength.  It’s testimony to Mark’s ability as an artist that he has been able to imbue this painting with so much of the subjects personality. I remain, deeply impressed.

Do take some time to go and look at Mark’s website and his gallery, he is available for commission work.