In 2000, artist Dan Wheatley came to public attention with his trompe l’oeil mural paintings in Totnes and Kingsbridge area.

He also was known for his involvement as a student of one of the south wests most renowned artist and painters Robert Lenkiewicz.

Dan was mentored by the painter in the last few years of his life. For more information, read his section in the book publication ‘Lenkiewicz Reconsidered – Perspectives in conflict’. 

He studied Lucian Freud’s techniques at Tate Britain’s basement studios during his retrospective in 2004 and was a finalist for ‘Not the Turner Prize’ during the same year.

He went on to gain a first in Fine Art BA (hons) at Plymouth University, won the Ben Heartley FIne Art award for outstanding work and then went on to get a PGCE at master’s level 7, leading into a career lecturing in Art alonhgside his personal work. He is now also course leader in Art and Design in Plymouths South West Art Warehouse.

Much work is often reflecting and inspired by direct demonstration within some of his lecturing work. It reflects a deep fascination within the art of Caravaggio, Turner, along with painting and portraiture of the past, along with contemporary experimentations.

He describes himself as “a Fine Artist who specialises in oil painting and observational drawing, having roots in Classicism, and exploring contemporary takes and methods working with old master paintings.