About Leon

Artwork by Artist 'Leon Barnes'

Self taught Oil Painter, only discovering the love of painting, while in lockdown 2020 after DJ, Disco karaoke & hire business stopped due to lockdown.

In November 2020 needing some presents for family gifts, & no funds, rather depressing time, but a stored loft gift from 2009, a oil painting set and some old canvases, started the journey.. A love of painting 

Oil painter, Contemporary. Impressionist, Realist Painter. 

Started mostly ‘Alla Prima’ (Painting style an Italian phrase that means 'at first attempt’), or the now known ‘wet on wet’ technique. Style learnt and inspired from Bob Ross, Justin Wozniak, Kevin Hill & Andrew Tischler,  Leonardo da Vinci, Zorn, Peder Mørk Mønsted,  journey began.. 

Continuing to grow, learn & developing style, Portraits, animals

Images taken from imagination, images & photographs. 

Commissions welcome. 

Poster & sign writer at 16 years old

Studied A Level Art -   Welwyn Garden City

HND & Degree Model making Hatfield University 

Modelmaker 1998-2002, worked on prototypes for Disney, Mattle, Cadburys, Guinness, Starwars including 1/3 scale pueter R2-D2. 

Films ‘Batman begins’ & ‘Flyboys’ 'Orlando' & 'Grange Hill'  1989-04

Singer 1997- Bands - Stunt pigeon, L&P - Wedding - Musiac 

Sound Engineer 2004.. 14 peice bands 'Hot'n'horny, In crowd' 

Profesional DJ & Weddings entertainments, Karaoke host since 2004..

Artist & Teacher 2022-2027 with resident Guest slot @ Great Dunmow Art Group every year & private lessons in oil painting techniques

2026 Dec - beginner friendly  'Leons paint & Sip' Events 

When a few paintings uploaded to facebook, the love of friends and popularty of the work  funding my hobby.

Now as I have grown and improved as an artist, and every wall in the house is full,  work on display in Gallerys 

"The Mardlebury Gallery''  Unit 3c, Mardleybury Rd, Datchworth SG3 6SG https://www.mardleyburygallery.co.uk

Btc display Stevenage

Wenta Dispaly Pottersbar 

member of Herts visual arts, SAA & Tish Acadamy.