‘Making a Mark’ with Hamilton Gallery

‘Untitled’ works by Julian Mazery

Before an artwork takes shape, it begins with something simple yet powerful: a mark. Whether it’s a sweeping brushstroke or a scratch in charcoal, these seemingly small movements lay the foundation for deeper artistic expression. Let us learn more about this creative process with insight from Hamilton Gallery.

One of the skills taught or practices encouraged at art college is the art of ‘mark making’. Mark making is defined as the creation of a various lines, marks, dots, textures or patterns. These can extend to marks such as splats, splashes, blots, drops, scratches, sweeps of a brush, squishes from a sponge, scrapes by a sharp object… the options are endless.

Marks can be free, impulsive and loose, or they could be the opposite: tightly controlled, meticulously planned, systematically applied – neat and deliberate. Either way, mark making is an effective form of expression. It is thought to play an important role in early childhood development, supporting and improving fine motor skills, allowing self-expression, as well as providing an enriching creative outlet.

Other forms of mark making include techniques such as scribbling, dabbing, pouring, cross hatching, and more. It can be done on any surface with any art material the artist chooses for their own desired form of expression. It can be applied to both abstract and representational artworks, in various media, to aid in the expression of an idea, theme or a personal style.

‘Old Man’, acrylic on canvas’, by Matthew Ibbotson

Essentially mark-making forms the foundation for artistic expression, allowing for experimentation, exploration and communication. It is a visual language which connects the artists inner world to the outer world and allows the viewer to ‘read’ and interact with an artwork.

Our two chosen artists for this post are both expressive in their mark-making, yet in quite different ways. Matthew Ibbotson’s medium of choice is paint, applied using quick, intuitive and free, layered marks in a multitude of tones and colours. He applies mark upon mark to build his final product. The result is a complex and beautiful ‘symphony’ of marks, creating a rich and multi-faceted visual exploration.

Close up of ‘Old Man’

Julian Mazery uses bright, often neon coloured paper, aerosol paints, markers and ink to make his shapes or ‘marks’ to create a striking, strong and dynamic mixed- media impact. His technique is also one involving layers and juxtaposition of colours to enhance the marks he so expressively and freely makes.

‘Nova’ &‘Phantom’, Collage, aerosol, paint marker, ink on paper,by Julian Mazery

Both artists, by employing an exciting variety of marks coupled with a bold use of colour, have created art pieces that have a mood, style and effect unique to their personal style. These artists show just how powerful mark making is and how limitless the possibilities can be.