Although when I first started I attended weekly art classes and have studied at the Slade in London, I am primarily self-taught. My approach was to copy works that I admired, from Old Masters such as Velasquez, and Courbier to modern day artists like Vettriano. In this way, I started to master the fundamental principles of painting – composition, colour, tone, etc. Like anything, becoming a good painter takes hard work and perseverance, but the encouraging thing is that I am improving with each painting.

In 2004 I held my first exhibition in Marbella, where I sold my first piece of work. I have to say that selling my first painting for 750 Euros gave me a bigger thrill than when I sold my business !

I am just as happy painting still life, portraits or landscapes, and I am able to paint realistically or in a looser, more impressionistic style – it really depends on my mood. All I know is that painting has enhanced my life in a way I never thought possible, and I look at things completely differently than before I started painting.

If you'd like to get in touch, my email is mikepaints@hotmail.co.uk