'Being British' at the heart of Francis Salvesen's exhibition

Self-taught artist Francis Salvesen will be exhibiting more than 100 of his paintings at the city’s prestigious Mall Galleries from Monday.

The exhibition, entitled Brilliant Brushstrokes – The Joys of Being British, includes paintings depicting national culture, such as traditions, locations and wildlife.

The artist said: “The subject of national identity interests me.

“During the Scottish independence referendum and Brexit, there was a lot of discussion about identity and who we are.

“I wanted to be clear in my own mind what that meant to me and perhaps to others, and how it differed from other nationalities.”

The 57-year-old’s passion for painting started as a schoolboy, attending Cargilfield and Fettes College, when he would sneak through the window of the school art room in his free time to endlessly draw and paint.

Francis Salvesen's exhibition takes place in London

His then-hobby continued during his career in the Army – which began in the Royal Scots as a junior officer – when he focused on painting wild scenery.

He described his work as being “achieved when the canvas lies horizontally on the table, like any fine draughtsman: more occasionally with an easel and stand”.

He added: “Using photographs, I am able to continue working this way through the night and through the winter.

“This also makes the paintings unique – it is a way of painting that other artists are not known for.”

The artist, who was raised between Bolton and Gifford, and now lives in Berkshire with his wife Amanda and his children Harry, Raef, Fawn and Robin, drew inspiration from the scenery and experience of his childhood in Scotland when creating many of his works.

Scotland's national dish forms the inspiration for one of Francis Salvesen's paintings

Paintings from the country being exhibited include Callanish Stones, Faerie Pools of Skye, Eilean Donan Castle and Burns Night – Stabbing the Haggis.

Other paintings on display include Floreas Britannia, which depicts an NHS nurse during the Covid-19 pandemic, Orange Order March, Princess of Wales, Boris in Churchill’s Footsteps, Blessed Shakespeare – depicting national treasure Brian Blessed as King Lear – and Cheese-Rolling in Gloucestershire.

Francis, who was commissioned last year to paint Sultan Ibrahim of Johur, said: “Some of the traditions shown in my paintings may be controversial.

“The Protestant Orange Order March; Wassailing – where revellers traditionally black out their faces; fox hunting; even school children playing conkers, which was banned in some schools due to health and safety.

Brian Blessed is featured in one of the paintings in the exhibition

“Not everyone takes part in these things or agrees with them, but I wanted to show different aspects of Britain and how important this might be to people’s idea of their identity.”

Each painting has an accompanying poem, detailing Francis’ inspiration for the work.

The exhibition takes place in Mall Galleries, which is a modern art space that promotes figurative work by living artists in three interlinked galleries, from 10am to 5pm until Saturday.

Admission is free for all.