Ian Sidaway is an experienced artist. He originally trained as a graphic designer and began painting in the 1970s. Since then, he has been widely exhibited and his work is now owned by private collectors throughout Europe, the United States and Australia. He has illustrated many books and has written several beginner's art guides. His book, The Instant Artist won the Artist's Choice Practical Art Book of the Year, 2002. He lives in Twickenham, London.