Darren Baker was born in 1976.

Baker attended Bradford Art College graduating in the summer of 1998. After graduation Darren exhibited in London and at the age of 23 was invited to exhibit his paintings at a UK millennium show in New York. In the same year Baker was appointed official artist of The Professional Footballer's Association (PFA).

Darren went onto produce an impressive art portfolio of contemporary portraits for sports clubs and personalities alike. Having developed a relationship with Huddersfield Town FC, Baker's creativity was stirred into painting a tribute image of ex-player Frank Worthington. Inspired by black and white photographs, Baker produced a portrait painting of one football's great characters. Baker has subsequently worked alongside and produced contemporary paintings for other sporting personalities including: David Ginola, Peter Schmiechel, Henrik Larsson, Prince Naseem, Nigel Mansell Jonny Wilkinson and PFA Footballer of the Year portraits of John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Teddy Sheringham. Sporting clubs who have promoted his art include: Manchester United, Leeds United, Glasgow Celtic, Bradford City, Yorkshire Cricket, and Leeds Rhinos.

Other portraits completed by Darren Baker include HRH Prince Charles and Tony Blair which hang in St James Palace and Downing Street respectively. Darren has also completed contemporary paintings on a range of art subjects including: interiors, portraiture, figurative, equestrian, landscape, and ballet.

More recently Darren Baker has been asked to produce a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen to commemorate her 85th birthday

However it is Darren Baker's love for the 'still-life' that has started to attract critical praise. International Artist wrote: "Bathed in varying light conditions, Baker arranges and describes everyday objects with delicate sensitivity. They have a delicious attention to detail. Baker's paintings also suggest a human presence, the objects are seemingly left in a natural state yet are so artfully organized".

David Johnson of The Sunday Times has also commended his painting. He wrote:

Darren Baker is now one of leading painters within the British Art classical realism genre. Baker's technique and vision are the result of observation and inspiration from the Old Masters and contemporary realist painters.

Darren Baker has received numerous art awards including best artist at The Fine Art trade guild ceremony in London and The Garrick Prize, Christies, London. His contemporary paintings are increasingly sought after by International and British Art collectors and hang in both public and private art collections including those of: House of Lords, Downing Street and St James Palace.

In addition to Red Rag British Art Gallery Darren Baker art work has been exhibited at other leading British Art Galleries. Each painting at Red Rag is sourced from the Darren Baker artist studio and like all Red Rag British art and Contemporary art it can be shipped worldwide.

This is the Red Rag British Art Gallery website page for Portrait paintings from leading contemporary artists. Red Rag Gallery has a great collection of contemporary British Art which extends to Portrait paintings. The art of Portrait painting has existed for centuries. Historically, portrait paintings were primarily commissioned by the rich and powerful. More recently portraits are more likely to be of families and colleagues and are commissioned by individuals, governments, corporations, groups and clubs.

Each featured artist in Red Rag British Art Gallery portfolio of contemporary Portrait paintings can be viewed by clicking on the artist name. Information on price, size and availability for portrait paintings can be viewed by clicking on the image of each portrait.

Each contemporary Portrait painting shown on the Red Rag British Art Gallery website has been sourced from the art studio of artist. This guarantees you that the paintings are genuine pieces of contemporary art from the artist.

Red Rag British Art Gallery is open every day for the purchase of British Art and Portraits. For all purchases of contemporary Portrait paintings Red Rag British Art Gallery offer a worldwide art shipment service

Many Red Rag British Art Gallery artists are available to undertake your own portrait commissions. A portrait commission is a special and very personal art piece. It is useful to remember when you commission a portrait that you are engaging in an interpretation of the sitter through the eyes of the artist. Visiting the artist, seeing work 'in the flesh' and talking through details of the portrait commission is all part of the portrait painting process. Portraiture artists at Red Rag include Darren Baker, David Cobley , Simon Davis and Charles Hardaker

To view the Portrait art work of each artist simply click on the artist's name or image. If you would like to purchase or require further information about Red Rag British Art portrait paintings please contact the gallery.