Portraiture is a centuries old art form and it many things to many different people. To some having a portrait painted may be a gift to a love one. To others it holds its value as a historical record of those that came before us. It can even be a chance for people to obtain a sliver of immortality through paint and canvas. It does however, take a whole other level of skill in order to make portraiture feel truly alive and Tomasz Mro has the ability to do just that. In his paintings, warmth radiates from the skin, freckles dance across faces and eyes look on with fiery passion. He gives his paintings a soul and captures all the colours of humanity.
Polish artist Tomasz Mrozkiewicz, also known online as Tomasz Mro, is an independent illustrator currently based in the United Kingdom. Working primarily in watercolour, Tomasz’s body of work explores portraiture in which he explores various emotions and expressions through moody and ethereal tones and vivid bursts of colour. Alongside watercolours, Tomasz also enjoys experimenting with gouache, graphite and ink alongside working digitally to adjust his traditionally created illustrations. Currently, his artistic focus lies within his own personal projects which he shares with his social media followers but he can also be found doing commission and project work for clients. Tomasz is currently represented by Victoria Olt Gallery.
While I don’t always set out with the intention of making the eyes the focal point, they often become a central element as the painting evolves.
Interview with Tomasz Mro
Can you introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a bit about your background as an artist?
Absolutely! I’m Tomasz, known online as Tomasz Mro (short for Mrozkiewicz). Originally from Poland, I am now based in the UK and have been a full-time artist for the past seven years. My primary medium is watercolour, but I often explore mixed media elements such as gouache and acrylics to create depth and texture. My passion for art began in childhood, inspired by drawing dinosaurs and watching my godfather illustrate birds for encyclopedias. At sixteen, I developed a fascination with portraiture, deeply influenced by the genius of artists like Agnes Cecile and Jenny Saville. In my work, I explore portraiture and atmosphere through a journey of colour and emotion, capturing the human experience in all its complexity.
Who are the subjects within your portraits and what do they mean to you as an artist?
I often paint portraits of people I don’t know personally, drawing inspiration from models or creating imagined faces by blending various features from different references. Strangely, I find myself feeling a deep connection to the individuals I paint, even though we’ve never met or they don’t even exist. It’s almost as if the colours naturally align in my mind with the faces I paint, much like a form of synesthesia where colours emerge as I work, similar to how some people see colors when they listen to music.
What does a day in the life look like for you as an independent illustrator?
As a night owl, I love a good lie in, so I tend to start my days slowly and relaxed, usually getting into painting around lunchtime. I’ll go through the references I’ve built up over the years and pick a few that speak to me in the moment. I’m not the kind of artist who meticulously plans every detail from start to finish. Instead, I like to let the process unfold naturally. I used to paint almost every single day, but lately, traveling has taken up a big chunk of my time.
Whenever I sit down to paint, I often like to work in focus zones. I put on a series, a podcast or an audiobook in the background and paint for three to eight hours straight. It’s a routine that might not be for everyone, but it works well for me, though I always make time for snacks or a nice cup of tea. Lately, I’ve been really into finance books and podcasts, and I’ve also been watching a lot of YouTubers, Oliur is my long-time favorite! I believe understanding the business side is crucial, as it’s often what allows us to continue creating in the first place. Painting mostly in watercolors has made me a bit impatient, so I like to work fast and get right into it. I used to love painting until three in the morning, but as my eyes have become more sensitive to bright lights, I now usually wrap up by midnight.
The first thing I’m instantly drawn to when viewing your work is the subject’s eyes as they are so expressive, soulful and often pierce right into my being. Are the eyes an element you pay particularly close attention to when painting?
That means a lot, thank you! While I don’t always set out with the intention of making the eyes the focal point, they often become a central element as the painting evolves. I usually start with a general idea of how I want the face to look, but as I go along, the process itself guides me. Sometimes, the eyes naturally demand more attention, while other times, I might focus on different features or textures. It’s really about where the painting takes me and what feels right in the moment. The eyes, when they do become the focus, are often a stylistic choice rather than a deliberate plan, but I love how they resonate with people.
Your use of colour is breathtaking! You often use such vibrant colours which are often contrasted with dark greys, blacks and reds giving some of your paintings a grimy, blood soaked quality to them. Do these darker tones and moodier palettes hold a certain meaning?
Thank you! I love experimenting with different colour palettes to keep things fun and exciting. My work is really about creating a certain atmosphere and these moodier palettes help me bring that out. Over the years, people have often asked me what inspires a particular painting, and for me, it’s usually about capturing a feeling through a mix of colors and the emotions of the person I’m painting. Early on, I worked mostly with bright, vibrant colors, but lately, I’ve found myself leaning more toward neutral and muted tones. I’m not entirely sure what’s behind that shift right now, maybe in a few years, I’ll be able to look back and understand it better.
Your work is influenced by graphic design and fashion, can you tell me a bit about your interest in these topics and how they influence your work?
I’m deeply drawn to minimalism in graphic design, where complex ideas can be communicated with simplicity and clarity. When it comes to fashion, I’m often inspired by how color, patterns, and textures are used. Sometimes I’ll spot a particular color in a piece of clothing, and it instantly inspires me to use that shade in a painting. Alexander McQueen has been a huge influence on my work over the past few years. The mood and atmosphere of his shows, especially before his passing, still leave me in awe. That sense of haunting beauty is something I’m constantly trying to capture in my own art, and it’s a theme I love to explore.
Does your love of fashion influence other areas of your life outside of art such as your personal style?
Depends. With so much of my time and energy focused on art and other parts of my life, I don’t keep up with the latest fashion trends, but I know what I like, and I stick to it. My personal style hasn’t changed much over the last eight years. I’m a big fan of a good leather jacket, boots and an arty shirt and I also love to accessorize when I can. I’d describe my style as grunge-inspired with an artistic twist and a retro flair.
As an independent illustrator, what advice would you give to artists who may be looking to follow a similar path?
Remember, being an artist isn’t just about sitting at home and painting. You have to wear a lot of hats: marketing yourself, managing endless admin tasks, running a website, keeping a schedule, posting your work online, researching, networking, and most importantly, embracing the inevitable failures along the way. It all takes time, and sometimes that means missing out on family gatherings, nights out with friends, and working weekends. But if you truly love it, the rewards are worth it. You really have to love it. For me, painting is like meditation, and I can’t imagine not doing it.
Also, don’t feel bad if you’re working a different job while creating art on the side. Everyone’s path is different. Some people have to move out on their own early, others have disabilities, or responsibilities like caring for children. It’s important not to compare your journey to anyone else’s. We’re all guilty of making comparisons, and no one is perfect, but minimizing it has helped me continue my own journey in a much less anxious way.
What has been inspiring you lately?
Lately, I’ve been really inspired by pop stars and their eras! I love seeing a well-branded body of work. There’s something so creative about the process of making an album, releasing singles, organizing photoshoots, and building an entire era around a concept. For me, being an artist should be as fun as possible, and I’m always looking for new ways to present both myself and my art to the world. Charli XCX is absolutely killing it right now, and I’ve always been fascinated by the unique eras in Kesha’s career, from the party vibes of Animal to the dark, cathartic tones of Gag Order.
I try to approach my paintings in series, which helps me navigate where I want to go next. Lately, I’ve been looking to pop stars for inspiration on how they manage these transitions. This mindset was exactly what I had in mind when creating my Yellow, Rainbow, and Aura series, which introduced me to much of my audience and led to my solo exhibition at the Victoria Olt Gallery in Estonia.
I heard that you’ve already done two solo exhibitions in Estonia. How did you end up doing exhibitions there? What is the process of coming up with the theme for an exhibition?
Yes! I ended up exhibiting in Estonia through a dear friend of mine, Victoria, who owns the Victoria Olt Gallery. We met years ago at an Agnes Cecile workshop in Spain, one of our favourite artists, and bonded over our love for her work, as well as painting portraits in watercolor. We connected immediately and became close friends. It was such a special moment when she invited me to exhibit my work at her gallery for a solo show years later!
We recently held a second exhibition of my latest works, and it was incredible to see the evolution in my style since the first show. I usually work in series, so the themes for my exhibitions develop quite naturally. For my first solo exhibition at Victoria Olt Gallery, we displayed my most popular series, with each room highlighting a different one: ‘The Yellow’, ‘The Aura’, and ‘The Rainbow’. It was a unique way to revisit pieces my audience is familiar with, and the whole exhibition felt like a nostalgic journey through my career. We also exhibited some drawings and sketches to give the viewers a deeper and broader look into my art and process.
For the second show, I experimented with larger pieces, new mediums, and techniques. Over the past year, I’ve been working more loosely and confidently, often incorporating metallics and embracing a more abstract style as well as experimenting with different color palettes. It was exciting to see how those elements shaped the theme for the exhibition and the title, ‘Shades of Solitude’. Working with Victoria and her team was an absolute joy, and the experience left me feeling more motivated and fulfilled than ever before, driving me to keep pushing myself and refining my craft.
What occupies your free time?
I’ve been making an effort to travel as often as possible. It gives me a sense of freedom, opens me up to new people, and helps break the isolation that can come from working alone as an artist. This contrast has been really refreshing for me. I also enjoy playing video games, including some old classics like Heroes of Might and Magic 3, which was my favorite childhood game, and I occasionally play on the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation. When I’m not doing that, I’m guilty of rewatching my favorite series. I honestly don’t know who I was before discovering Schitt’s Creek! Over the years, I’ve become a lot more outgoing. As much as I love staying in all day and painting, I’ve found that getting out and trying different activities has really benefited my mental health.
Tomasz Mro Social Media Accounts
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