Michael Mann (4)

UK photo-retoucher and image-composition artist, with a studio based in London's West-end, called Michael Mann Studios.

Mann grew up in the East-End of London and began work in a commercial art studio as a junior at 15 years-old. Whilst there, he did a day-release 5-year course in Print, Design & Drawing at the SLADE School of Fine Art in Clerkenwell, London. In 1966 he opened his own retouching studio, concentrating specifically on the art of chemical retouching and transparency-compositing. His '6-fingered hand' was a classic example of his skills; Various - V, which he also used as a promotional postcard to potential clients.

His commissions included work for major advertising agencies and his creative skills also adorned many album sleeves. Mann's reputation and skillful retouching work predated the advent of computer graphics - at which point he backed off from the industry and happily took up painting in Cornwall.