About Me
Darren Turner – ArtByDTurner
Based in the North East of England, Darren Turner is a self-taught British artist working primarily in charcoal, graphite, and watercolour. His work reflects a deep connection to the landscapes and industrial heritage of Northern England, often capturing the beauty found in decay, endurance, and silence.
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Turner began drawing while recovering from a horse-riding accident during his service with the British Army — an event that unexpectedly redirected his life towards art. His early portraits evolved into atmospheric landscapes and military scenes, inspired by memory and place rather than precision.
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Known for his monochromatic approach and textured realism, Turner’s art invites viewers to pause, reflect, and form their own narratives. His work has featured scenes from North Yorkshire to Norway and is available through platforms such as Saatchi Art, Fine Art America, and Pixels.com, under his studio name ArtByDTurner – Made in Scribblers Studio.
Artist Statement
Although I failed art at school, my journey as an artist truly began years later after a life-changing horse riding accident during my Army service. Recovery gave me time — and in that space, I picked up pencil and paper again. What began as a quiet attempt at self-expression soon grew into something much larger: a passion and a calling.
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Charcoal quickly became my go-to medium. I’m captivated by its immediacy, raw energy, and the way it allows me to shift mood and meaning with just a single stroke. It feels honest and direct, capable of holding both delicacy and strength within the same piece. At times, I also create work in pen with a watercolour wash, which offers a different kind of freedom — a balance between the permanence of line and the looseness of colour — but charcoal remains the core of my practice.
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My work rarely aims to replicate reality exactly. Instead, I see each piece as a translation of feeling, memory, or narrative. Every mark carries intention, whether bold or subtle, and I strive to create a dialogue between the artwork and the viewer — a space where they can pause, reflect, and find their own story within the piece.
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I embrace a hands-on and experimental approach to making art. From traditional drawing tools to printmaking techniques such as sublimation and screen printing in my studio, Scribblers, I value trial and error as much as success. Each stage of the process teaches me something new, both about the medium and about myself.
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My artistic journey reflects how I approach life: setting challenges, finding meaning in small details, and creating with honesty. I want my work to do more than decorate — I want it to resonate, stir emotion, and invite connection.
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ArtByDTurner is not simply about producing artwork; it is about the act of creation itself — because I create not out of obligation, but out of passion, curiosity, and the joy of making something that might speak differently to everyone who sees it.