'Often, because I work en plein air, I attract onlookers, which can be quite revealing as you can see what kind of reaction you are getting to your painting - a sort of instant criticism that enhances the communal immediacy of the painting experience.'
Peter Graham ROI, RSW (born Glasgow, 1959) stands as one of Britain's foremost contemporary Modern Colourists-his work deeply rooted in the traditions of the Scottish Colourists and the French Impressionists, yet utterly distinctive in its flamboyant sensibility.
With a lifelong preoccupation with light and vibrant colour, Peter fuses richly detailed brushwork with looser, fluid strokes to produce striking contrasts of pure colour, line, and tone. Whether painting on the harbours and cafés of the South of France, the rugged coastlines of Scotland, or the ornate interiors of London and New York, he works predominantly en plein air, believing that painting directly from life-rather than through photography-is essential to capturing the essence of a subject.
This method isn't just a technical choice-it's a philosophy. 'Often because of my approach I can attract onlookers, which can be quite revealing as you can see what kind of reaction you are getting to your painting - a sort of instant criticism. Generally, people are very polite and understand that the painting is in progress and still developing'. This openness captures not only the visual vitality but also the communal immediacy of the painting experience.
Peter's palette is a celebration of life: Mediterranean blues, fiery reds, rich greens, and shimmering tones that breathe movement into his. His unique, flamboyant style creates an energy that feels intuitive, effortless, and alive. Influences may originate from the Scottish Colourists and French Impressionists, but Peter channels them through a bright, contemporary lens that is unmistakably his own.