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

Mark Jameson has been out of work and out of luck for much of 2009, but he was celebrating last night after being named Young Artist of the Year at the BP Portrait Awards.

The 29-year-old Darlington man beat thousands of entries from across the world to the prestigious annual award.

Mr Jameson won the title, and a £5,000 prize, for a portrait of his sister Lyndsey, entitled Benfica Blue.

He said he was shocked to even 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, who lives at Middleton St George, studied Fine Art at Sunderland University, but gave up on working full-time as an artist after struggling to get commissions.

He took temporary work as a barman, waiter and office worker, but decided to pick up the paintbrush again earlier this year after enduring four months of unemployment.

Flora Fricker, Exhibitions Manager, at the National Portrait Gallery, London, which hosted the awards, said: "This year's competition entry was of a very high quality, with a record number from all around the world.

"The short-listed works show the range of techniques and styles that make portrait painting so exciting. The judges were particularly impressed with both Mark Jameson's technique and with how he beautifully conveys the attitude of the sitter."

The competition has been running for 30 years. The winners were chosen by a judging panel featuring esteemed artists such as Gillian Wearing.

Mr Jameson's portrait will be on display at the National Portrait Gallery for the next three months, before touring the country with exhibitions in Southampton and Edinburgh.