Mark Payne studied technical and scientific illustration for four years. Having graduated, Mark became a member of the Society of Illustrators, Artists and Designers followed by 33 years as a full-time artist and illustrator, producing work for numerous national and international publishers, advertising agencies and galleries.

Mark’s current collection of rare book and magazine art generally begins with a monochrome under-painting, usually in shades of grey or ochre, on a white surface. Once fully dry, it is painted over with successive layers of transparent colour known as ‘glazes’. Each new glaze changes the optical qualities of the layers beneath, resulting in a richness and purity of colour that is otherwise very hard to achieve.

The technique is time-consuming as it’s essential that each glaze is allowed to dry thoroughly before the next is applied. Between glazes, the painting is lightly sanded, giving the finished painting a beautifully smooth, glossy surface. This method of applying colour has some important advantages over the traditional method of mixing colours with an opaque base.
Mark says that, while wanting to honour and pay tribute to the original jacket designers and their unquestionable talents, his paintings are portraits of some very old, well-loved books, the way they are now. Novels, poetry, history and a range of subjects all attract his interest.

The paintings themselves are much larger than life with every tear, crease and blemish, carefully and accurately recorded. Mark Payne aims not just to reproduce the original cover artwork like a poster but to paint the whole book as a real, three-dimensional object with all its imperfections – the evidence of life – so that when mounted and sensitively lit, the illusion is created of a real, giant 3D book. It really is a living thing.

ART VISUALISER
We have teamed up with Art Visualiser to bring you the latest technology in viewing artwork from the comfort of your home. Just click on the Art Visualiser button above and follow the easy step by step instructions.

If you are experiencing any technical difficulties or do not have access to the Art Visualiser app then email a photograph of the space and wall where you would like to see the artwork and we will do the rest. If you can include some dimensions as a reference point it will help to scale the painting correctly against your wall.

Please email your images to sales@forestgallery.com with dimensions and the artwork or artworks which you would like to see on your wall.

HOME VIEWINGS
For those living in the South-East of England we also offer a Home Viewing Service and Home Approval Service. To take advantage of either of these services please call us on 01798 368181 to discuss your requirements.

REGULAR PAYMENT OPTIONS
Online checkout is completed via Stripe or Paypal both of which allow payments via a credit or debit card (including Amex). For alternative methods of payment (including payment on collection from the gallery) please contact us.

INTEREST FREE FINANCE
We are partnered with Own Art, a government-backed scheme to help you spread the cost of your purchase, interest free on purchases over £100. To choose this option, click ‘Buy With Finance’ on eligible products or select Own Art at checkout whilst placing your order. You will then be redirected to complete your application. Finance is available up to £2500 (any amount over this will be requested via a deposit).

ARTWORK RESERVE SCHEME
Alternatively, we offer an artwork reserve scheme – a fast and simple process without the need for credit since your purchase will be delivered once the final instalment has been made. To take advantage of this free service please get in contact with the gallery via the enquiry button above or call 01798 368181 to speak with a member of staff.