The way I see it, mainly in oil and charcoal.

Simon Breed: Artist profile

Working predominantly in oils, my passion is for painting realism with a surreal twist. My paintings hint at life’s narrative, leaving you to reach your own conclusions about the whys and wherefores of what is going on.

As a child, I was forever drawing and painting. In my teens, I even painted my bedroom with giant murals. After probably too many school years spent in the art rooms, I got a place on an art foundation course - a pre-requisite for a fine art degree at the time - but life took me elsewhere.

My painting hiatus ended a decade or so back when a random encounter inspired me to pick up brushes again. My art now is informed by my efforts since then to educate myself in the techniques of the traditional art ateliers and classical fine artists.

As well as more conceptual studio pieces, I do a lot of portraiture and figure work, preferring to paint from life whenever possible. I also love the freedom of getting outdoors, painting wet-on-wet ‘pleinair’ landscapes and city-scapes from time to time.