These disciplines stood him in good stead for his subsequent development as a painter which he combined for many years, with a career as a teacher. He is now a full time painter and printmaker and has exhibited nationally on a regular basis.

Pursuing maritime subjects has taken him to many varied coastal locations, but he has always been drawn to Suffolk and Norfolk in particular. It is the nature of the light found here that so inspires him - something he first appreciated through the work of Edward Seago, whilst still at school.

In 1998 Richard received the Maimeri Award and also won the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights Award at the Royal Society of Marine Artists Exhibition, in the following year he won the Ariel Open in Devon. He became a member of the R.S.M.A. in 2000 and in 2002 was elected as an artist member of the Royal West of England Academy.

The collectors of Richard's oils are drawn to the translucency of his light and subtlety of his tones that capture his subject matter with such vivid freshness. He is a true master of the medium and great representational artist.