A STRUGGLING artist who nearly turned his back on his craft has won an international art award.

Mark Jameson was last night named Young Artist of the Year at the BP Portrait Awards, beating thousands of entries from across the world.

Mr Jameson, 29, won a £5,000 prize, for a portrait of his sister, Lyndsey, called Benfica Blue.

He said he was shocked to be nominated for the award.

“To be honest, I didn’t think the painting was totally finished,” he said.

“Hopefully this will be my chance to launch my career as an artist.”

Mr Jameson, of Middleton St George, near Darlington, studied Fine Art at Sunderland University, but gave up working as an artist after struggling to get commissions.

He picked up his brush again earlier this year after being out of work for four months.

Flora Fricker, exhibitions manager at the National Portrait Gallery, London, which hosted the awards, said: “The judges were particularly impressed with Mark Jameson’s technique and with how he beautifully conveys the attitude of the sitter.”

The portrait will be on display at the gallery for three months, before touring the country.