David has drawn and painted portraits all his life and in 1989 was shortlisted for the prestigious John Player (now the BP) Portrait Award. In 1997 he was elected a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and for four years served as its Honorary Secretary.

He has painted people from all walks of life, including actors, writers, sportsmen, businessmen, academics, journalists, senior military personnel, churchmen and politicians.

He prefers to work directly from life where possible, and as a rule a portrait generally requires around six 2-hour sittings.