
Has your art changed over the years?
My art has changed dramatically. Ever since I began painting for myself and looking at the kind of art that moved me. My pallet really changed. Much more subdued.
How do you choose your subjects?
I’d say my subjects choose me rather than me choose it. I have loads of locations saved on my sat nave that I’ve perhaps visited and seen something that’s caught my eye. Either an interesting building, landscape or light. Usually I’ll write notes of what time of day to go back to paint it. What it was that caught my interest. Colour, light etc.
I’m really fond of obscure subjects. Derelict buildings, bleak landscapes. I’m drawn to landscapes that somehow feels they have something to reveal.
What’s the best art advice you’ve been given and how do you apply it?
That’s an easy one. JUST PAINT BOY!!! Vincent Van Gogh – For me the hardest periods are about 2 weeks after completing a painting, when the buzz has worn off and I find myself without my next painting lined up. For me there’s nothing worse. I feel completely lost at sea and get very unsettled. But I’m beginning to learn my lesson. I now try and make sure I’ve got my next painting lined up and prepped.

How long can one artwork take to paint?
I paint quickly. But this last painting I did had lots of figures in it so it took time. But some of my best paintings have been the ones I’ve done quickly. I’ve become much more patient when painting. This has mostly come from having more technical skill and preparation with mixing my colours. So from a week up to a month.
Do you think appearing on BBC NI The People’s Painters has given you more confidence to share your art?
Being on tv helped definitely. But in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve learnt to paint only for myself. I didn’t really like being told what to paint but being made to choose subjects I wouldn’t usually has made me realise that the subject isn’t what makes a painting successful. I used to spend WAY too long looking for the ‘“perfect “ subject.
Thanks to Mark for his willingness to be included as featured artist. If you want to see more of Mark Bonello’s art please click on the links below…
https://www.facebook.com/markbonelloart/
http://markbonello.co.uk/
https://idocaricatures.co.uk/about-the-artist-wedding-caricatures/canvas

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