Mark Gibbons is a seasoned British watercolour artist whose practice is rooted in a deep connection to the Cornish landscape. For the past decade, he has lived on a ten-acre smallholding—Trewen Cottage—in North Cornwall with his wife, Angela. There, they keep bees and chickens, tend a vegetable garden and orchard, and, during parts of the year, look after their son’s heifers. Located just half an hour from the coast, Trewen offers both a peaceful home and a constant source of inspiration, with the dramatic Cornish coastline forming the subject of much of Mark’s work.
Primarily working en plein air, Mark favours the spontaneity and challenge of painting directly from nature. With a fisherman’s tent for shelter, he embraces the elements while capturing fleeting light and atmosphere. His love of outdoor painting stems in part from his early years of family camping—an enthusiasm that seamlessly complements his creative process.
Largely self-taught, Mark began painting after completing his studies at Hull University. He immersed himself in the works of great watercolourists such as Turner and Sargent, striving to understand their mastery of restraint and expression. Through daily painting and meticulous note-keeping, he refined his technique, learning through persistence and a willingness to make, and learn from, mistakes.
Early in his career, Mark pursued a romantic vision of painting his way around the world. This ambition led him to Sydney, Australia, where he spent 18 months painting the historic docks of Balmain. There, his practice matured and he began selling work, laying the foundations for his future as a full-time professional artist. After travelling overland back to the UK—with stops in Bali, Japan, and along the Trans-Siberian Railway—Mark committed fully to a career in painting, leaving behind a former life in HR.
Over the past forty years, Mark has painted extensively throughout Devon and Cornwall. His work has been widely exhibited and is held in both private and public collections. He has shown with the Royal Watercolour Society at the South Bank in London and has received commissions from Devon County Council, including a painting for the late President Mitterrand during his visit to Dartmouth and a commemorative work marking the D-Day Landings at Slapton Beach.
In addition to his painting practice, Mark is an experienced teacher. He regularly tutors watercolour workshops for local art societies and has led art holidays in Tuscany and the Channel Islands.
Mark Gibbons' work has been represented and sold by Mayne Gallery, Kingsbridge, for many years, where his evocative coastal scenes continue to resonate with collectors and art lovers alike.
Mark Gibbons is a seasoned British watercolour artist whose practice is rooted in a deep connection to the Cornish landscape. For the past decade, he has lived on a ten-acre smallholding—Trewen Cottage—in North Cornwall with his wife, Angela. There, they keep bees and chickens, tend a vegetable garden and orchard, and, during parts of the year, look after their son’s heifers. L... Read Full Bio
