An Interview with Mark Bradley

What a delightful morning it has been recently, it was a good decision to take take in the garden, and a lovely garden it is too. I love the smell of Redbush, although handing me a bone china cup and saucer could be disastrous and I shall have to drink it with two hands firmly around the cup. I know you like to go straight to the studio after breakfast so I won't keep you long.

When is your most productive period through the day? The Morning is the most productive I paint everyday when the mood strikes and I even sculpt clay. The days I don't paint I'll be off on a extra long walk, or away in Scotland.

Your little paintings are wonderful and capture so much, do you always paint outside or is it more studio based? I do prefer the results of outdoor painting, however if I’m in my studio, I have an image I want to work on, I produce a quick pencil sketch to get things in the right place. I am traditional water-colourist, so it’s usually light colours first, darkest last. Generally I start at the top of the page and work towards the bottom. The beautiful scenery and light is my inspiration.

When did you realise being arty was what you loved to do?
I was about 4 years old when I realised art was what I wanted to do. Wow that is such a young age, I think I hand my hands covered in mud then and causing mischief.
Your paintings are quite small how long on average does it take to complete a painting, and are you always satisfied with the end results? It takes me about 25 minutes. I'm rarely satisfied, but sometimes it works out well.
So if you are rarely satisfied with your results have you ever painted over one of your paintings you didn't think 'cut the mustard'? Many times, re working can be really productively. However, old water colours make very good shopping lists.

Have you ever tried another medium other than watercolour? It is usually watercolour, because I can finish in 25 minutes. But I really like oils. Anything really. But watercolour is so user friendly. I don't set any alarm to remind me to stop for lunch I drink while I paint, and if I get hungry, I eat.

Where will we be off too next week to paint the great outdoors and will we be having a picnic or stopping off at a pub? I never think about the food side of things, but I will almost certainly have food and drink for me. I’m not good at fancy picnics, I'll probably have Hummus, bananas, oat cakes and Redbush tea. We will head over to Stickle Tarn in Gt Langdale, then finish at the Old Dungeon Ghyll pub. Marvellous I'll probably bring the remnants of the Earl Grey Tea Loaf I baked the other day for the first time and maybe a flask of Lady Grey as I feel it could be a hot day and the lady Grey suits a warm day.

And the last question of the day. Any tips for new artists young or old? Paint and draw. Join an art club or three, and the U3A, and join the SAA for materials.

Thank you for the interview Mark I shall let you get on with you wondrous small creations and see you next week for the outdoor painting lesson.
To find out more about Marks Paintings please head over to his Showcase page.
If you are interested in purchasing any of Mark's small works of art please get in touch via the 'Contact Page'