Now that's method acting! Timothy Spall spent two YEARS learning to paint like Turner in order to play him

  • Timothy Spall spent two years studying art to prepare for role as J.M.W. Turner in a film about the artist
  • The film star's replication will now form part of an exhibition 
  • It will take place at Petworth House, in Sussex, where Turner was often a guest and painted in the grounds
  • Spall was trained by London artist Tim Wright in his London studio 

By Thomas Burrows for MailOnline

Published: 11:17 EST, 4 October 2014 | Updated: 13:46 EST, 4 October 2014

Actor Timothy Spall spent two years studying art to prepare for his role as J.M.W. Turner in a film about the famous artist.

And now, the film star's replication of Turner, carried out under the tutorship of London artist Tim Wright, will form part of an exhibition next year.

The culmination of his training was a full-size copy of Turner's Snow Storm - Steam-Boat off a Harbour's Mouth Making Signals in Shallow Water, and Going by the Lead from 1842, which will be on show at the exhibition. 

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Timothy Spall will play J.M.W. Turner in Mike Leigh's Mr Turner - here he is pictured with a full-size copy of Turner's Snow Storm that will be shown at an exhibition at Petworth House, in Sussex

Timothy Spall will play J.M.W. Turner in Mike Leigh's Mr Turner - here he is pictured with a full-size copy of Turner's Snow Storm that will be shown at an exhibition at Petworth House, in Sussex

Tim Wright (pictured) tutored Spall for his role in the biographical film at his studio in Clerkenwell, London

Tim Wright (pictured) tutored Spall for his role in the biographical film at his studio in Clerkenwell, London

A work painted by Timothy Spall whilst being trained by artist, Tim Wright in preparation for Mr Turner

A work painted by Timothy Spall whilst being trained by artist, Tim Wright in preparation for Mr Turner

It will take place at Petworth House, in Sussex, where Turner was regularly a guest and painted in the grounds. 

It will also feature some of Spall's London landscapes and life drawings.

Spall, 57, who played Winston Churchill in the King's Speech, was trained by Mr Wright, who devised a 24-month programme which included a study of the 'basics', before moving on to Turner's style, as well as trips to the Tate Gallery to study the painter's archive.

Mr Wright told the Independent: 'I quickly realised he was the sort of person who was going to be responsive and intrigued by the subject.

Wright said that though Spall had no real training, he did have an interest in art and was 'obsessed' by Turner

Wright said that though Spall had no real training, he did have an interest in art and was 'obsessed' by Turner

Mr Spall worked tirelessly in order to ensure his portrayal of the artist J.M.W. Turner was as complete as possible. Above, the actor in a scene from the film

Mr Spall worked tirelessly in order to ensure his portrayal of the artist J.M.W. Turner was as complete as possible. Above, the actor in a scene from the film

'He had an interest in art as well – no real training but he was certainly interested in Turner, obsessed by Turner.'

Wright added: 'There are things that are very difficult but he was very tenacious. He never cut corners and was very diligent – it was quite impressive to see.'

Snow Storm was the final project before the shooting of the film and supposedly shows a boat called Ariel struggling in a violent storm at Harwick. Turner, by some accounts, was present at the scene.

Spall said: 'You always spend a lot of time working on a character, but preparing for Mr Turner is the most I've ever done'

Spall said: 'You always spend a lot of time working on a character, but preparing for Mr Turner is the most I've ever done'

Mr. Turner, written and directed by Mike Leigh, is released in the UK on 31 October and the US on December 19
One of the works painted by Mr Spall

The actor was trained by Mr Wright, who devised a two year programme which included a study of the 'basics', before moving on to Turner's style. Right: One of the works painted by Mr Spall

Mr. Turner, directed by Mike Leigh, is released in the UK on 31 October. Above, Timothy Spall, centre right, and the director, centre left, join the cast at the film's premiere at the New York Film Festival yesterday

Mr. Turner, directed by Mike Leigh, is released in the UK on 31 October. Above, Timothy Spall, centre right, and the director, centre left, join the cast at the film's premiere at the New York Film Festival yesterday

'We tried to follow Turner's technique all the way through the process of painting. That's quite a successful piece', said Mr Wright.  

Spall said: 'You always spend a lot of time working on a character, but preparing for Mr Turner is the most I’ve ever done.'  

Mr. Turner, written and directed by Mike Leigh, is released in the UK on 31 October and the US on December 19. 

The exhibition at Petworth House runs until March 11, 2015.  

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