This was my reaction when I saw this: "What a nice picture...wait, thats a PAINTING?!?!" (faints).

That is awesome Mark! But you might got used to that... :-)

Afraid not - Brick World in Chicago is my next convention. I do that one anually, as well as Brick World Indy. I'd like to attend some other events, but not sure when I'll have the chance.

say, are you going to be at brick fiesta? I know I will.

Cool! Nice job man!

Like the idea...very cute. :P

By all means. Come on over, and fire away with any questions.

OK, I have to ask you this: how do you get so many likes on a creation? I need some tips because I am working on something and need some advice on what to put in. Please help out if it's not a problem! Thanks!

Should I just search Advice Group? Or is there some link to it somewhere?

I found the group but there aren't any topics that are really what I'm looking for. Should I just join and ask in one of the million Ask Kelso threads?

wow! amazing talent! i ve seen your work before,[paintings] but it s always surprising how wonderfull it looks! holidays are reallya good timing for this kind of art, as lego looks so christmasish, it hits nostalgia or something, it evokes great feelings in any case ! really amazing, bravo!

It seems you're asking for two different things, so...1)There's no special trick or method to getting "I Like It's." You need to do consistently good work, present it well, and be regularly involved with the site...2) For advice, hop over to a group or two that has builders you'd like to hear from and just ask them for their opinion. Most will be glad to help. If you want tips from Phipson or me, feel free to hit the "Advice Group" and chime in on one of our threads. Good Luck!

Why, thank you good sir. And don't think I wouldn't be glad to sell you a painting or three for your barren walls! Actually, our esteemed Dr. Jones has one of my originals. Now if I could just start selling to Mark Zuckerberg I could really get this Lego collection rolling! ;-)

I've checked out your paintings before and I was still fooled by the thumb-nail. My goodness, sir. I think it's the chrome sword that impresses me the most - how the deuce do you do it? Anyway, my wife and I just moved into a house and I'd love to get a painting or three to put on the barren walls. Nice work as usual, Mark!

At first, I was absolutly certain that this is was simply a lie... "a simple photoshop manipilation" I thaught. "Beeing a lEGO master isn't enough for him ! Now he takes me for a fool with the photorealsim painting" I thaught. Then I checked your painting site and I have to face the truth: you're a genious ! So I ask the whole community: are you genetically enhanced or are you an alien disguised as a human ? In any case: "châpeau bas!". And if you tell me you speack french easily I kill myself...

Hahaha, didn't you get a bunch of "I don't believe it's a painting" type comments when you posted this on Flickr too? Why is it that the sharpie-weilders find it so difficult to believe somebody (a pro artist no less) has real talent? Next time, timestamped picture of you painting in a comedy hat or we don't give you smilies!

Sure - Oil paint, Georgian brand. Painted on gessoed masonite panel.

Wow! A realism painter! Nice job on the sweet pic! I am not a very good artist though. Could you please tell me what kind of paint you used? (brand)

W-wait...that painting isn't a photo?! I thought you built the LEGO and painted the background! 0.0

What a fanatstic approach to combine art and Lego.

While some consider LEGO to be an un-intimidating artistic medium, you decided to use your artistry to paint thus said medium to make an intimidating work of art. This goes against a Scientific Law somewhere I bet. A master artist is an artist no matter the medium. I believe you are such an artist.

Absolutely unbelievable...you’ve found your NEW new direction!

W..W..WOW

Brilliant.....simply brilliant! You are not a hack afterall!

I can barely tell that's a painting!

I was wondering how you went about all this? Did you have the figs set up with that background and all the lighting like a little studio, or did you 'create' some of the features around them such as the book bindings?

Good catch - thanks!

Just a bit over 100 hours from start to finish. Now if I could just stop working to get to the REAL Lego!

I bow to your awesomeness Mark. This is simply brilliant. I still just can't get my head around the fact that it is a painting. Your artistic skill knows no bounds my friend. I just hope I have the chance to see this in person someday.

Aww crap I just realised it didn't post my comment :( Shoulda been around the 23 Like spot. Anyway, I dunno what Todd is on about. As I said you could be a professional artist with bricks - but your oil really leaves your brick art for dead. My sister who is an artist in the making would be very inspired by this (I..Ah-hem..You may get her to like Lego after all!) I also finally found how to get to your website! I have to say you chose the right means to outlet and make money! ~Thoy

You painted that? That is impressive! The frame is also very well done. I think you made a small typo, though. You wrote: 'an usual approach', shouldn't that be: 'an unusual approach'? I apologize in advance if I'm wrong about that.

Honestly though... who among us can blame him? It really is that good a painting (I was barely convinced myself until I noticed some hard-to-forge subtleties). I have to agree about painting being better than photographs, especially with LEGOs, which never were very easy to take good pictures of.

An amazing work of art! At first, I too was skeptical of the painting but I have since banished those thoughts! You truly are a great artist and I have nothing but the utmost respect and adoration for your skills. How long did this painting take you, just wondering?

It's to show off his beastliness. Anyways, great work, Mr. Kelso. I was very surprised to learned that this wasn't just a photo. I can draw decently, but I don't know how people can paint this good. Have you ever been a concept artist? I think you would be great. That's my dream job :P

Outstanding work. Maybe it's because of my familiarity with the subject, but it looks even more accurate than most of the works in your own art site...

The point of photorealism is that it's a forgery of a mechanical process, made by human hands. Simultaneously, good photorealistic work also provides subtle differences in color, value, clarity, and chroma that push the image beyond what current photographic technology has the capacity to do. There ya go - you're now ready for Art History 102. ;-)

Wow! Now THAT's something really, really impressive... Also, I never saw a Lego themed painting, a great idea.

Very impressive skill with the brush! I have some custom Clone Troopers that would look great...Never mind...Excellent!

So even though you do not have time to assemble bricks, you still manage to play with bricks in your paintings. Kick arse!

OK, first of all, great painting. It sounds cliche, but when I got to this I was like: "Aw yeah, Yule Fools Vol. II!" I scrolled through to make sure it was, but I was saddened by a false alarm, and that you just took pictures of some figs on a plate. Then I read the description, which I should always do, then I looked closer and saw this was a painting. Now, since the frame is technically the only lego element in the moc, it would have been interesting to see something slightly less simplistic, like one of those ornate golden giant frames. ...But who am I kidding, I wouldn't be able to make a frame sturdy enough or correctly to hold an oil painting! Great job! Sorry about the mile-long comment!

Yeah, dude. Seriously. Check out the man's work before ignorantly declaring what he is and isn't capable of.

Todd... really? Perhaps a little bit of research would tell you that master Kelso here IS in fact a professional artist? Maybe just read a comment or two from the people that know him best? How DARE you accuse him of lying about something like this (or at all for that matter)! Try a google search once in a while... oh, here, I'll do ya one better: http://www.markkelsoart.com/ Try THAT before you go insulting my friend. ~ Chris.

No... I don't believe that it is painted. If it were, what is the point? It looks like a photo. Why not just take the photo? It is the frame that is on display as being unique. It is not even April 1st. Mark may be a famous LEGO artist, but not in oil (unless you count the oil used to make the plastic LEGO parts). Sorry, but you didn't fool me.;-)

Saw this on BB and loved it. Now that I've had a chance to clear my head...I still love it.~H

Wow, that's stunning! Never held it possible to paint that photo-realistic with oil paint... for the frame, I think you did the right thing showing the studs, giving the clue to LEGO right away. Let's hope the public will like it too - and your frame job will turn to a fame job! Best wishes, Jens

Beautiful painting, and the frame was an awesome idea.

Nice idea! Now, remake the Mona Lisa. :P

You sure you didn't just take a picture of the legos that looks awsome!

Now, now, Mark. You know better than to place a photograph in a frame and say you painted it. :3 Hehe, if there's one thing better than your building it's your painting. If I had the money I'd commission you to make me... A sandwich. :D

WOW!

THAT'S A PAINTING??!! I thought it was a photo! this is BLOODY BRILLIANT!!!

Excellent work

I seriously couldn't tell if that oil painting was a photograph or painting. Of course, it is a photograph of a painting, but you get the idea. I looked at your website and now I find you even more awesome then I had previously expected. The Dark Continent is my personal favorite, and if i had that kind of money, I would buy it. I find it fascinating that we both show some interest in nature, although I photograph rather than paint. I bow before such excellence. ~Waff

Nicely done! At first glance, you can't even tell it's a painting - in fact, I couldn't tell with a second or third glance. The reflection on the chrome sword was a great touch. The frame is icing on the cake.

i'm not even sure i believe that it's a painting, if it really is, then you are definitely the best artist i've ever seen, it all looks so shiny and plastic, so realistic. and the arrangement is good too, it's heroic but in a simple sort of way. great job!

Whoa. This is just amazing. Whoa... O_o

This looks great. and out of curiosity, since your a famous artist, do people give you lots of bricks to make your masterpieces?

A wonderful painting of a wonderful subject!

Studs in "a Kelso"?! Just kidding, great work - I love this painting!!! - Kevin

ha, now it's complete, nice to see another view besides the frontal view

Cool idea. Nice job. see ya. garth

Great painting, perfect presentation.

it looks so real i just can`t believe it`s a picture.

The picture is so life-like, I'm speechless! Great job!

*jaw drops* *speechless*

Incredible. I can't believe this isn't a photo! Fantastic.

Man your an awesome artist! Nice Job with the frame and the great painting. ~T Fett

I bet everyone thought this was real lego at first (as well as me) True piece of art!

Wow! At first I thought the main picture was actually LEGO, not a painting! Well done!

That's a masterful piece of work! It took me a while to understand that it wasn't actually Lego! Amazing art.

love the painting, makes me smile to see the details like the dress and the armour reproduced so well :)

I saw this on The Brothers Brick. Excellent artwork, Mark. ~Ryan

Hah, it's just a photograph with some photoshopping done to make it LOOK like you painted it! 'Fine art' my foot. ;)

Excellent work! I absolutely love the painting, and the frame is perfect!