St Cuthberts Mill : Artist Interview: Mark Buck on Millford

Mark Buck RSMA is an acclaimed plein air artist known for his energetic watercolour paintings, often featuring Porthmadog harbour, the Ffestiniog Railway, and North Wales landscapes.

A member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, he specialises in capturing light, reflections, and maritime scenes on Millford paper made by St Cuthberts Mill.

Mark is represented by galleries on the Isle of Wight, Swanage and Petworth, UK, and has exhibited with The Royal Watercolour Society, The Royal Society of Marine Artists, Plas Brondanw Gallery and The TALP Open Exhibition at Patchings. In 2022, his watercolour, ‘Porthmadog Quayside’, was awarded the Artist Purchase Prize.

'Porthmadog Quayside' by Mark Buck
on Millford

We asked Mark about his experience with watercolour and how his choice of Millford paper supports his work:

'Waiting at the Crossing' by Mark Buck
on Millford

You originally trained in illustration at art college - how did your journey evolve from illustration into becoming a plein air watercolour painter?

I don’t like fumes, so watercolour was my natural medium. I used gouache mostly before art college, but liked the transparency, speed and marks of pure watercolour.

I wanted my work to be less about finding a clever idea and more an observation. Plein air allows me to interpret what is in front of me and I let this be my inspiration. It is so relaxing.

'Ffestiniog Railway Morning Steam' by Mark Buck
on Millford

I enjoyed illustrating for theatrical posters and events and found I could do a better job if I designed them first. With these skills, I was more of an art director who had great ideas and could draw fast.

In the days before the web, I would visualise my ideas from my imagination and from life. All I did was draw 8 hours a day, everything and anything. Clients would ask to keep my original drawings, and I thought perhaps I could sell my work in a gallery situation. It seems in advertising, copywriters are aspiring writers, and art directors want to be fine artists.

Travel seems central to your practice - from Venice to the UK coastline. How do different locations shape your artistic voice?

'Porthmadog Harbour' April 2026 plein air
by Mark Buck on Millford

Sailing has always been a primary interest; we sailed the family boat around the coasts of Great Britain, Ireland and France. On arriving at port, I would explore with my sketchbook in hand.

I like the way the water acts with the structures it meets: waves hitting rocks, a receding sea leaving boats scattered at jaunty angles, reflections of masts and rigging dancing in the rippling harbour water. Contra-jour sparkles of bright sunlight on water, flickering and flowing.

I like the industry, fixing boats, bringing in the catch, rigging up, adjusting ropes. The sailing of boats. The tension of the sails and the energy of passing through water.

It is so much better when you are there watching. I just go where I can find all this and some paint-drying sunshine.

'Heavy Seas' by Mark Buck on Millford

Many artists talk about the importance of paper in watercolour. What does Millford enable you to achieve that other papers don’t?

Millford has a lot of size, the paint stays on the surface for longer. I can work the colours for longer, add more paint or water, remove colour, even getting back to white.

When it dries, the intensity is close to the wet colour and vibrant.

My work looks best on Millford!

'Rounding the Headand' by Mark Buck
on Millford

For artists unfamiliar with it, how would you describe the experience of painting on Millford?

Millford is great for mark making, however you do need some experience with watery mixes. But try a bit with a great brush, a creamy mix and a bit of stealth, and it will amaze you.

Links

See more of Mark Buck’s work via these links:

markbuck.myportfolio.com

www.facebook.com/markbuckart

www.instagram.com/markbuckart

To learn more about our Millford range, visit our website.