Dreaming of Sukhāvatī by Ren Yao in London

My name is Ren Yao, and I’m a London-based painter with a background in both traditional and contemporary painting. My early training focused on classical oil painting, giving me a strong foundation in drawing, colour, composition and realistic representation. During my postgraduate studies, my practice expanded into contemporary painting and large-scale mural projects, allowing me to work confidently across very different scales. I enjoy working in different styles rather than limiting myself to one approach. My work can range from detailed, Renaissance-inspired realism to looser and more expressive painting influenced by Impressionism, Expressionism and contemporary art. This flexibility allows me to adapt my approach to different people, spaces and ideas. I take commissions for murals, portraits, original paintings, illustrations and drawings. For portraits, I can work in a traditional realistic style with close attention to likeness, light and detail, or create something more expressive and contemporary. I’m also comfortable developing work from photographs and sketches. Large-scale painting and murals are an important part of my practice, and I enjoy creating work that responds to the architecture and atmosphere of a particular space. I’m equally happy working on smaller, more personal commissions. What matters most to me is turning a client’s idea into an individual, carefully made painting while retaining the character and warmth of something painted by hand.