Edinburgh born in 1964, Stephen Mangan graduated with a BA Honours degree from Duncan of Jordanstone Art College, Dundee, in 1988. Following his post graduate diploma in 1989, Stephen Mangan’s work has been acknowledged with many prestigious awards and scholarships over the years and has been shown in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the UK, USA, Hong Kong and Holland.

Mangan’s figurative work is particularly distinctive with an otherworldly feel. Favourite themes include racecourses, train stations, beaches, harbours, fairgrounds, cafes and theatres where the busy scenes are almost eerily calm with each figure engaged in their individual, quiet contemplation.

Stephen Mangan says, “I’m interested in the relationship between people and certain leisure environments; how they, or we, fit into the world. I seem to be drawn to people in group situations, yet I paint them as separate individuals who do not look as though they are with other people. It is an odd type of interaction”.

Mangan’s style is methodical with careful consideration given to composition. Razor-sharp lines - as seen in boats masts, racing posts, beach huts and horizons - create a pleasing geometry to guide the eye and provide balance to the roundness of the main figures - the boats, horses and people, for example.

Stephen Mangan’s use of chiaroscuro (light/shade) technique emphasises the atmospheric feeling in his work. “It’s a slow process where the paintings are carefully planned, built-up thinly and glazed often. I use light to create depth, shadows and contrast”. This technique echoes the geometric elements, light coming through a window, for example, or in shadows cast diagonally across a scene.

Mangan’s transcendent work is considered highly collectable and is held in many private and public collections globally including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. In addition to Red Rag Scottish Art Gallery, Stephen Mangan’s artwork has been exhibited at other leading British Art Galleries. Each painting at Red Rag Gallery is sourced from Stephen Mangan’s artist’s studio and, like all Red Rag Scottish Art and Contemporary Art, can be shipped worldwide.

This is the Red Rag Modern Art Gallery website page for Portrait paintings from leading contemporary artists. Red Rag Gallery has a great collection of contemporary Modern Art which extends to Portrait paintings. The art of Portrait painting has existed for centuries. Historically, portrait paintings were primarily commissioned by the rich and powerful. More recently portraits are more likely to be of families and colleagues and are commissioned by individuals, governments, corporations, groups and clubs.

Each featured artist in Red Rag Modern Art Gallery portfolio of contemporary Portrait paintings can be viewed by clicking on the artist name. Information on price, size and availability for portrait paintings can be viewed by clicking on the image of each portrait.

Each contemporary Portrait painting shown on the Red Rag Modern Art Gallery website has been sourced from the art studio of artist. This guarantees you that the paintings are genuine pieces of contemporary art from the artist.

Red Rag Modern Art Gallery is open every day for the purchase of Modern Art and Portraits. For all purchases of contemporary Portrait paintings Red Rag Modern Art Gallery offer a worldwide art shipment service

Many Red Rag Modern Art Gallery artists are available to undertake your own portrait commissions. A portrait commission is a special and very personal art piece. It is useful to remember when you commission a portrait that you are engaging in an interpretation of the sitter through the eyes of the artist. Visiting the artist, seeing work 'in the flesh' and talking through details of the portrait commission is all part of the portrait painting process. Portraiture artists at Red Rag include Darren Baker, David Cobley , Simon Davis and Charles Hardaker

To view the Portrait art work of each artist simply click on the artist's name or image. If you would like to purchase or require further information about Red Rag Modern Art portrait paintings please contact the gallery.