Fulham artist Jiri Keller is celebrating after two of his portraits were chosen to appear in a national portrait exhibition.

Between April 16 and May 1, the paintings will be on display at the Mall Galleries, near Trafalgar Square.

His work has been selected from over 1,000 entries to appear alongside Britain's leading portrait artists for the Royal Society of Portrait Painters' annual exhibition.

There will be 140 portraits on display of all different styles and techniques.

Keller favours a more traditional style, using oil paints and often inviting his subjects for ten-hour long portrait sittings.

Talking about his inspiration, and where he finds his creative muses, Keller said: “Some people are simply interesting to study.

"It happened to me about five years ago, I was on the tube and opposite there was a gentleman with a handlebar moustache and I couldn't resist! I said: 'I would like to paint you'.”

Keller explained that he feels connected to the local area and the people that live there, saying: “Today from 2pm I will teach drawing at the local age UK charity; people meet for lunch, they'll do some light exercise and then they have a drawing class, which I run.

"I also go to a couple of London sketch clubs weekly.”

Get down to the Mall Gallery to see the amazing portraits on offer this spring.

Keller said: “Quite a few people might try [painting] themselves if they come to the show.

"I strive to inspire people.”

Admission to the exhibition is £3. For more information call 020 7930 6844.