Darren Baker
Award winning, highly acclaimed classical realist painter, Darren Baker, achieved a BA (Hons) Art & Design degree at Bradford School of Art in 1998.
Commercial success and critical acclaim soon
followed Darren’s graduation. When Darren
was still only 23, he was chosen for a unique
show of UK artists in New York and appointed
official artist of the Professional Footballer’s
Association. He has painted portraits of
numerous sports stars and public figures. His
portraits of Prince Charles and Tony Blair hang
in St James Palace and 10 Downing Street,
and he has most recently been given a most prestigious royal commission.
Darren also paints interiors, still-life, figurative,
equestrian, landscapes, and ballet. He has
exhibited widely and his paintings are highly
sought after by private collectors and public
galleries throughout the world. However
Darran has retained his modest, unassuming
manner. Darran has received numerous art
awards including Best Artist at The Fine Art
Trade Guild ceremony in London and The
Garrick Prize, Christies, London.
“I really enjoyed my time at Bradford School
of Art. It had a really nice family feel. I had
great tutors in Howard Eaglestone, Colin
Lloyd and Grant Devine. It was not just the
tutors but all the staff that made the place so
welcoming. I actually painted curator, Denis
Wilson’s portrait and gave him the painting
when I was a student.
I liked the fact it was pretty flexible. As a
student I was looking at the Old Masters and
using it in a contemporary way. It was an
important stage in my development. I am
still using the same attention to detail and
still focussed on trying to make it as real as
possible. Even seasoned art collectors say my
work has a photographic quality. I think I have
eyes like a hawk. I am blessed in the way I can
see such detail.
My 3 years at Bradford College gave me
discipline. I worked really hard and took that
precision into my professional practices.
Bradford is a great city, it has a great past
and a great future and the College is a big
part of that.
I have been fortunate to paint many amazing
people and I am looking forward to painting
Her Majesty the Queen in October. I would
like to capture her informal side.”
Photograph supplied by Darren Baker