I mostly paint in oil, working on atmospheric scenes of landscapes, buildings and occasionally with people. I experiment with forming composition, mixing strong colour, tone and shade to create images which I hope will make viewers feel as if they are standing in the picture looking at the scene.

I go out and do sketches in places to help me get a feel of life out there. I then work in my studio to produce paintings from a combination of sketches, photographs and memory. I sometimes make charcoal drawings and I occasionally paint outdoors on the scene as a form of study to help with colour and texture as part of the preparation.

Throughout my life I have been influenced by my Greek uncle, Bill Papas, a political cartoonist of the Guardian newspaper in the 60s. The style of his drawings creates life in the streets and people which make me feel as if I am in the environment; they show quick and loosely flowing lines as if they were drawn with a great deal of confidence and spontaneity. Papas' paintings in watercolour combined with pen and ink drawing creates strong atmospheric scenes that also fuel my imagination.

Vermeer is another major influence. His method of adding layer upon layer of colour to his painting gave me a basis for my own working practice. My other two sources of inspiration are Turner and a French painter Georges Hosotte. Turner's paintings of precise buildings with impressive landscape and Hosotte's free flowing style have helped me find my way.