Ian completed his Foundation Course at Liverpool Regional College of Art and then went on to study painting at The Slade School of Fine Art in London. On leaving The Slade he had the opportunity to paint in Finland for several months on a Finnish Government scholarship, as he had become interested in the landscape, the colours and the light there, having visited
previously.

His paintings represent a simplification of what he has actually seen, without losing aspects of the original inspiration and are motivated by space, scale, colour and shape combinations within landscape. In addition to Finnish landscapes and sunset views he includes seascapes, inspired by
visits to Spain and New Zealand, using oils for versatility, vibrance and permanence.