Mark Barnes is an English illustrator, graphic designer and writer.

Mark has been delivering high-end illustration services for over eight years to art directors, greeting cards companies, public sector organisations and other commercial clients. His specialism is humourous and narrative illustration but prides himself on adapting his work to whatever a brief demands. He also undertakes private commissions from time to time.

Although his workflow is mainly digital these days, Mark's early work was conducted using museum pieces such as 'pencils' and 'brushes', which he will happily dust off if you ask him nicely.

His influences are many and varied but stem from a lifelong love of British comics, children's books and mid-twentieth century commercial art. Disrespectful to a fault, he delights in taking irreverant swipes at the things he holds dear but, remarkably, has yet to be slapped.

In his spare time Mark plays bass for Doom Metal titans Khthon. He lives and works in Rochester, Kent.

Awards

Chatham Vines Public Art Award - Winner, for Museum of Tales

Medway Culture and Design Awards - Winner, for Shadowplay with Wendy Daws / Highly Commended, for Museum of Tales

Education

BA (hons) Illustration, Kingston University

Publications

Images 33 - The Best of British Contemporary Illustration, AOI, 2009 / Medway Whispers, Urban Fox Press, 2008 / AQQ Magazine, Maidstone Borough Council, 2008 / Made in Medway, Made Labs, 2007

Selected Exhibitions

That's You That Is, Nucleus Gallery, Chatham 2010 /  Images 33, London College of Communication, London 2009 / The Centre of All Things, Nucleus Gallery, Chatham 2008 / Museum of Tales - Chatham Town Tales, Nucleus Gallery, Chatham 2008 / Medway Art Festival, Eastgate House, Rochester 2007 / Artwave Festival, Lewes 2006 / With Love, Coninsby Gallery, London 2005 / Shukuga-Kai, Coninsby Gallery, London 2001