Nick Grove is a British painter based in Stamford, working primarily in oils from life. His practice is rooted in direct observation, whether painting figures, portraits or the landscape, and is driven by a commitment to capturing lived experience with honesty and conviction.

Working both in the studio and outdoors, Grove paints directly in front of his subject wherever possible. For him, the act of painting from life is essential; it anchors the work in authenticity and allows the physical presence of the subject — light, atmosphere, movement — to become embedded in the surface of the paint. His landscapes are often developed en plein air, responding to changing conditions, while his figurative and portrait works explore structure, character and the quiet intensity of sustained observation.

Grove’s paintings balance a classical sensibility with a contemporary directness. His brushwork is confident and expressive, yet always in service of form and structure. The surface of the painting remains alive, revealing the decisions and energy of the process.

He is an elected member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists and has exhibited at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. His work is regularly shown at Thompson’s Galleries and is held in private collections internationally.

Alongside his painting practice, Grove is the founder of Stamford School of Art, where he teaches perceptual drawing and painting from life. His teaching reflects his belief in the enduring value of observational skills and the transformative power of disciplined creative practice.

Through both his work and his teaching, Grove seeks to uphold and advance the traditions of representational painting while responding to contemporary life with clarity and purpose.