Author Archives: Mark Mitchell

About Mark Mitchell

Dealers in 19th-20th Century British and Continental Works of Art

A Voyage Through The History of Seascape Art

Many purveyors of fine art will have already come across some of the beautiful seascape paintings that have been produced throughout history and will have marvelled at the beauty of the scene; with dark, rolling tides and nautical scenes, there’s nothing not … Continue reading

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The Enduring Appeal of Floral Art

Since ancient times, flowers have been a frequent subject of artistic attention. The earliest depictions tend to be a decorative addition to the main subject, but increasingly they took prominence as a subject in their own right. Flower piece, Camilla … Continue reading

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Stillness and Motion in Painting

A painting is, by definition, a still image; however, it is one that is capable of displaying a great range of motion should the artist wish to do so. When composing a piece, the artist can choose whether to depict … Continue reading

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What Makes a Great Artist?

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” – Pablo Picasso. For centuries, art has been an escape and a retreat from the reality of life for both artists and art-lovers alike. From historical sculptures to seascape … Continue reading

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Eloquent Absence: The Use of Emptiness in Art

When considering an artistic composition, it is natural to first attend to what is there; the figures, objects or landscapes which the artist has chosen to portray. However, there is often just as much meaning in what is absent; empty … Continue reading

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Mastering the Different Strokes

As you’re undoubtedly aware, an artistic composition requires great thought. Part of that will almost certainly focus on how to tell a story through the brush strokes you use. Different strokes will, after all, emphasise or de-emphasise certain aspects of … Continue reading

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The Art of Reflections

Reflections have always been an important part of art composition. Even the very earliest artists were aware that some surfaces – still water, shiny objects, even the eyes of a person or animal – would hold reflections, and would have … Continue reading

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The Fibonacci Sequence in Artistic Composition

Fibonacci was an Italian mathematician in the late 11th and early 12th Century, credited with bringing the Arabic numeral system to Europe and introducing the use of the number zero and the decimal place. His name is today remembered for … Continue reading

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Where Do Artists Find Inspiration?

One of the biggest questions that an art theorist or historian or art lover can ask is; why do people create art? What inspires the artist? It is a question that can be applied to all forms of visual art, … Continue reading

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Art Arrangement & Display Techniques

All Artworks, whatever the medium, can have a positive effect on any room; whether in the home, gallery, or commercial building. Poorly displayed art, whether you’re talking about still life paintings, abstract pieces, or even sculpture, can have a negative … Continue reading

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