On leaving school at 18 Mark studied Musical Instrument Technology at Merton College, London, graduating with distinction . He then went on to the internationally renowned Newark School of Violin Making, again graduating with distinction. On graduation from Newark, Mark restored and repaired for the Royal College of Music before setting up his workshop in Cornwall. Seventeen years on, Mark has become a fine and established contemporary maker. His violins, violas and cellos are played by musicians all over the world. As well as making new instruments Mark continues to repair, restore and carry out sound adjustments. In any discipline of art it is important to refresh, improve and learn new skills. Over the last seven years, Mark has studied Antiquing and Copying Techniques with Samuel Zygmuntowicz; Varnish and Colour Theory with Gregg Alf; Fine Restoration with Hans Nebel. All of these courses taking place at the Nicolo Paganini Convention at Parma, Italy.   Viola by Mark Jennings, Cornwall 2019 The one-piece back of maple cut on the slab of irregular curl. The ribs, peg box and scroll of medium curl. The front in two pieces of spruce of medium-fine grain in the centre broadening towards the flanks. The varnish of a warm orange-brown colour on a yellow ground. Labelled Made by Mark Jennings Cornwall Length of back Width upper bout Width middle bout Width lower bout