Resident Golf Artist Mark Robinson brushes up for the DP World Tour Championship
Professional portrait painter Mark Robinson will combine his two greatest passions when he brings paints, brushes and easel in his role as official ‘artist in residence’ to next week’s DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
As well as capturing on canvas many of the top 60 players fighting it out over the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, avid golfer Robinson will also be exhibiting many of his favourite golfing works in the Championship Village.
“I’m very excited about that as I get many people asking where they can buy my art,” said Belfast-born Robinson. “This year I will be able to point them towards the Championship Village instead of the Internet!”
To be staged on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates from Thursday 14 to Sunday 17 November, the US$8 million tournament will feature many of the biggest names in golf, many of whom have already been painted by Robinson, including Race to Dubai leader Henrik Stenson, defending champion and two time Major winner Rory McIlroy, 2009 DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai winner Lee Westwood and Major winners Martin Kaymer, Justin Rose and Graeme McDowell
“I thoroughly enjoy the experience of painting on what is a magnificent golf course,” added Robinson, who has been a familiar figure with the galleries who have been following the tournament since it became the grand finale of The Race to Dubai in 2009.
“During the tournament week I gather up photographic and sketched reference material of the players and also sit and watercolour sketch various views around the course.
“The Earth course is a monster to play and it’s great to paint. The contrasting colours of players clothing against the fairways, dried mulch and foliage are a gift to any painter. Further inspiration comes from the galleries and I have had many special moments in and around the course over the past four years.
“Most of all I love setting up on the 18th early in the day when there is dew on the grass and no-one is around. It is so still compared to the excitement of the Sunday afternoon when there is no need to paint but just stand there and take it all in.
As well as Stenson, Westwood, Kaymer and Rose, Robinson has also painted golfing coach Pete Cowen and the flamboyant Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez who was so impressed he commissioned his own painting.
“It’s always a pleasure to see Mark Robinson painting by the side of the fairways and greens,” said European Tour International Director, Dubai Office Nick Tarratt. “His work is exceptional and we would encourage every golf fan to have a look at the collection of Mark’s work that will be on display in the Championship Village.
Free tickets for the 2013 DP World Tour Championship are available by registering online at the official website www.DPWTC.com
