Stephen Appleby-Barr’s paintings juxtapose fantastical and everyday objects, conjuring a dreamlike world which verges on the uncanny. His sensitive and masterly use of the traditional medium of oil paint, recalling the work of Old Masters, contrasts with his modern sensibility. Appleby-Barr sees his art as storytelling, and tours museums and city streets in the search for characters and sets to introduce into his otherworldly universe. His dark, intimate settings, rich colours and dramatic lighting recall the work of renowned Baroque artists such as Caravaggio.

This assemblage of small drawings, lines, and notes in ink gives an insight into Appleby-Barr's meticulous method and preparation for his artworks. It also offers a comical or even satirical take on the workings of old masters and impressionist artists, who were painstaking in their studies for works, especially the latter group of artists who were known for making artworks at a specific time, place, and with certain weather conditions. Appleby-Barr's handwritten notes such as 'Ink over pencil (applied 10am)' could be interpreted as a reference to the precision of many great artists who came before him, while also exaggerating the detail for comic effect. The sheet also testifies to Appleby-Barr's deft draughtmanship, with highly finished ink sketches creating magical and atmospheric worlds among the notes, tests, and doodles.