Drawing and painting occupy a significant place in Mark's life, serving as an extraordinary source of inspiration and personal fulfilment. It all boils down to the reasons that drive his creative endeavours – a simple, heartfelt love for the craft. When he talks about it, an indescribable joy surges within him as if he has unlocked a gateway to a realm of boundless imagination. 

What's even more remarkable is his realisation that he doesn't need to conform to others expectations or depend on art for a living. He revels in the knowledge that drawing and painting are there solely for his enjoyment, free from external pressures. They become his private sanctuary, an arena where he can freely experiment, explore, and immerse himself in the act of creation.

When asked how he got started in art, Mark recalled his early days in primary school.  Growing up in a Wheat Belt town where art wasn't emphasised, he and his classmates would often play around with paints and watercolours.  As he progressed through primary school, he discovered his interest in drawing and began sketching.

His passion for drawing took a leap when he reached high school.  Fascinated by Disney cartoons and characters like Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, and Bugs Bunny, he traced their images using tracing paper. After some time, he challenged himself to draw those characters without tracing, attempting to capture their likeness freehand.  This practice allowed him to develop his drawing skills and creativity.

As he attended boarding school, he started sketching his fellow students and even some of the teachers. He enjoyed exaggerating their features and incorporating humorous elements into his drawings. His caricatures brought laughter and amusement to those around him, and he found great satisfaction in creating lighthearted and funny art.

During evening study sessions, known as prep time, he would secretly sketch cartoons instead of focusing on schoolwork. One of his cartoons depicting a rowdy bus trip caught the attention of a teacher who reprimanded him and confiscated the drawing.  However, to his surprise, the cartoon was published in the local newspaper two weeks later, giving him a sense of validation and encouragement to continue pursuing his art.  Looking back on those early experiences, he realised that cartoons have a universal appeal.   They have the power to bring joy and make people smile.

He found delight in the fact that his drawings could entertain others and evoke positive emotions.  These early adventures in art shaped his artistic journey and instilled in him a love for creating pieces that bring happiness to himself and others.

When delving into his development as a cartoonist, he specifically recalled the profound influence of two esteemed cartoonists who had mastered the craft. Their exceptional skill and prowess were a wellspring of inspiration and guidance on his journey.

One of them was Paul Rigby , a renowned cartoonist whose exceptional craftsmanship captivated Mark. He admired Rigby's ability to capture the essence of politicians and depict them in a way that instantly resonated with viewers.  Rigby's skilful use of lines and marks created characters that not only resembled their real-life counterparts but also conveyed a distinct personality,  leaving a lasting impression on anyone who saw his work. 

Inspired by Rigby's talent, Mark immersed himself in his work and that of  Larry Pickering, carefully observing their techniques and approaches to drawing figures. He took diligent notes, meticulously studying how they rendered politicians and other subjects. Through this process, he discovered the power of a single distinctive feature in conveying a character's traits and making them instantly recognisable. It was a revelation that inspired him to refine his style and develop a keen eye for capturing the essence of his subjects, infusing his cartoons with humour and impact. 

Their mastery served as a guiding light as he embarked on his own journey as a cartoonist. Their influence shaped his technical skills and instilled inhim a deep appreciation for the art of caricature and its ability to communicate and connect with viewers on a profound level.

“Reggie”. Mark Thornton

Mark shared an interesting story about a portrait he painted where the colour of the subject's eyes became a topic of discussion.  To resolve the issue, he met with his friend (the collector) for a coffee and brought his paints along. He mixed different blues and yellows until they achieved the desired eye colour.  With just a few brushstrokes, the painting was transformed.  This experience highlighted the importance of subtle adjustments and tweaks in capturing the right colours and details, whether in portraits or caricatures. 

Mark also discussed the dilemma of whether to paint around the edges of a stretched canvas.  While he sometimes leaves the edges untouched, he often wonders if he can match the background colours later. 

This challenge is especially pronounced when he incorporates various colours and textures into his artwork. Still, he is cautious about using different or pastel colours as achieving a seamless match can be more challenging. 

In summary, Mark's approach to colour and medium selection is a balance between exploring with a limited palette and embracing the challenges of mixing and matching colours to achieve the desired effects in his artwork.

“Digger Bill”. Mark Thornton

As he transitioned from school to university, Mark immersed himself in the hippie era's vibrant atmosphere. He even did many psychedelic drawings. The era brought about a distinct shift in his artistic style and subject matter. 

However, as life progressed and he entered the workforce, the demands of his career and responsibilities reduced the time he could devote to his art. While he received requests from friends and relatives for his artistic creations, the demands of everyday life limited his artistic pursuits.

This reflection on his artistic journey reveals a path filled with exploration, self-expression, and adaptation to the changing circumstances of life. This account of his artistic development highlights the dynamic nature of his journey, showcasing how life's responsibilities can sometimes shape one's artistic endeavours. It offers a glimpse into the periods of artistic exploration and the subsequent ebb and flow of creative output. 

Mark went through periods of dedicated exploration, where he was actively seeking new ideas and approaches, followed by phases where his creative output fluctuated or diminished due to life and work commitments.  BUT one thing remained through all that: Mark's love for colours.
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Mark's creative process involves having multiple projects in the making. When he enters his house, his studio and easel catch his eye, reminding him of the ongoing projects awaiting his attention.  It has become a habit for him to glance at his works in progress and mentally note where he left off and what still needs to be done. Sometimes, he stops and closely examines his paintings, searching for any areas that may be troubling him or not quite right.  This attention to detail and reflective observation guides his artistic decisions.  

Most of his landscape works are done in oils, allowing him to take his time and achieve the desired results.  However, he occasionally works on underpaintings or preliminary layers with acrylics, experimenting with different elements and adding depth to his compositions.  While some artworks may require more time and meticulous blending, the nature of oils allows him the flexibility to revisit and work on them even if they have started to dry.  This ability to continuously refine his pieces enables him to achieve the desired effects.  

Mark's approach involves maintaining a continuous connection with his projects.  A few years back, Mark found himself immersed in the world of fishing cartoons for a popular fishing magazine.  The editor entrusted him with creating illustrations to bring the fishing-themed columns to life.  Mark enthusiastically embraced the challenge, quickly generating and capturing ideas on his trusty sketch pad.  By the way… we should have an exhibition of his sketch pads!  

To this day, to fuel his creativity, Mark embarks on biking adventures, carrying his sketch pad in his backpack.  Whether perched along the coast or in a cozy corner, he immerses himself in the serene surroundings, allowing them to inspire his caricatures.