Cheeky artist Mike Rome is making easel-money – by recreating and selling classic masterpieces from his one bedroomed flat.
Talented Mike, 66, makes copies of famous works by greats such as Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, Waterhouse and Henry Wallis.
Examples of his work include The Girl With A Pear Earing, Victorious Cupid, the Mona Lisa, The Lady With An Ermine and The Lady of Shalott.
Mike, of Bristol, churns out hundreds of knock-off masterpieces which he sells for up to £1,200 each.
But he’s no fraud – he signs them all in his own name and galleries are more than happy to display his collection of replicas.
Mike says before starting his paintings he visits the gallery where they are displayed and takes a photo, then replicates the image from his studio.
He said: “They are not fakes as I put my own signature on them. I started it as a means of improving my skills.
“Trying to replicate something someone has done that’s well known is a good way. You are always looking to improve and, maybe, when I’m 80, I’ll get there.”