Mike Skidmore
Mike Skidmore has been a professional artist for fifteen years and
considers himself privileged to do something he loves. He is passionate
about oils because they are tactile and forgiving enough for
experimentation. He currently paints portraits, still life and animals. His
work is in various galleries and he sells his paintings in the UK, Europe,
Australia and the US.
He is largely self-taught. When he started painting, he found that art schools didn't encourage the type of work he
wanted to do and he didn't know anyone to teach him the techniques he needed to learn. He spent many hours in
galleries staring at classical paintings, trying to work out how they'd been painted, which was not easy. After a number
of frustrating years with many failed attempts he began to make progress and develop the techniques he uses today.
Along the way, he has worked as a designer, lectured on several subjects and even had a spell on the radio presenting
an arts review. He loves evocative shadow and light, portraits with character, and sometimes a narrative running
through the picture. He also enjoys adding a little humour or "trompe l'oeil" into his still life artwork.
Portrait Painting Techniques
Creating Strong Contrasts in Portraits
Double Occupancy £625
Single Occupancy £665
Non-Painter £450
Dates : 5th - 8th September 2025
Media : Oils
Type : Studio
Learn to Paint Horses, Dogs and other Animal Portraits in Oils. The
course will predominantly be about horses but Mike will also cover
painting dogs and other animal portraits of your choice.
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