ACCLAIMED artist Darren Baker is going back to school.

The Meltham man will display 30 pieces of work from the last decade at Bradford School of Art.

Darren said: “It was good of them to ask me back. I enjoyed my time there and I’m looking forward to seeing my old tutors again.”

Darren studied fine art and Illustration at Bradford College from 1995 to 1998.

He has gone on to paint countless famous people including Huddersfield Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy.

Darren has also been commissioned to paint a full-length portrait of the Queen to be unveiled on her 85th birthday in 2011.

More than 30 pieces have been leant to the school for the exhibition, which runs from November 2 to December 11.

Darren said: “There’s a picture of my mum and dad and sister which I did for my degree. It’s called the Holy Family because my work then was based on religious subjects.

Darren’s exhibition runs from 10.30am to 4pm each day at the Bradford Gallery in the Yorkshire Craft Centre on Carlton Street. For more information call 01274 438 965 or email c.lamkin@bradfordcollege.ac.uk

Darren Baker is entering the Dragons’ Den.

Darren will paint a portrait of Theo Paphitis, star of the hit TV show.

The businessman won a charity auction, bidding £15,000 to have his portrait painted.

Darren said: “It will be interesting to meet him. I hope to get some idea of his character and what drives him.

“I’ve watched Dragons’ Den and he seems to be the fairest of the lot.”

Theo made the winning bid last week at a charity auction for the New Children’s Hospital Appeal in Manchester.