Julian Bailey trained at the Ruskin School of Art whilst at New College, Oxford. Subsequently he went onto the Royal Academy Schools, London where he was awarded the Turner Gold Medal and later the Landseer Scholarship. His first one-man show was in 1991 and he has been exhibiting regularly ever since. Following a move to Dorset in 1998 Julian began painting landscapes, in particular the Dorset coast. He was elected a member of the New English Art Club in 2011.
Working with Conté sticks, Julian makes preliminary sketches which are then further developed with oils and occasionally gouache once back in the studio. His pictures convey a strong sense of movememt. The artist explains: ‘I like to capture the way people do things.’ Dancers, swimmers, and sailors are all brought to life with a range of colours, though in each picture Julian tries to limit his palette.