A portrait of a Frome man is on display at the National Portrait Gallery in London after being selected as one of the finalists in a national competition.
Mark Turner, a portrait model, was the subject of a painting by artist Lizet Dingemans from Raw Umber Studios in Stroud.
Lizet was one of 54 finalists selected for The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2026, with all finalists’ work being displayed at the National Portrait Gallery until 7th October.
“It’s just really phenomenal that my face is on display there,” said Mark.
“I have had a few portraits of myself on display at the Bruton Art Society but this is by far the biggest.”
Mark, who works as a support worker for the charity Key Ring and also owns a record label, became a portrait model after someone asked if they could draw him.
“They said I had a nice face and I said ok; I could sit down for an hour or so and it just blossomed from there and especially a lot since the end of Covid when people got back out and went to classes.
“It’s massive really to be on display in the National Portrait Gallery. It’s quite inspiring. Hopefully it inspires other people to do this kind of thing.”
Pictured: The portrait of Mark. Credit Lizet Dingemans
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