Visceral painter shuns running with the pack

Paintings by Pip Todd Warmoth don't hit you at first glance, but then, Pip is not into shock value.

His paintings are about 'genuine feelings and sensitivity and not something that shouts 'here I am . . . come and look at me'.' This is why even though he has deep respect for the Brit Pack with artists such as Damien Hirst, Mark Quinn, Rachel Whytred and Gary Hume, he cannot really identify with them.

Pip employs an old-fashioned technique. Layers upon layers of glazes are built up on the board which create a translucent and haunting image. He is inspired by travel - a recent exhibition at the China Club resulted from trips to South America and Tibet.

'I normally spend six weeks in one country to try to get to know as many people as possible,' says Pip, whose paintings are owned by Michael Caine, Prince Charles, Chris Patten and David Tang.

Coming from an artistically talented family - his father is a painter and his mother a musician - Pip studied at the Camberwell School of Art and later at the Royal Academy of Art. And although his girlfriend is also an artist, he avoids close examination of other artists' works.

'There is a danger in that because if you fall in love with another artist's work, you are bound to copy their style.' He says he is his worst critic, constantly trying to improve his work because 'once you say perfect, you are finished as an artist'.