"Peter Archer worked on film publicity, book illustrations, portrait commissions and taught art at the Middlesex College of Art and Design.

In 1980 he received his first military commission (“The Charge of the Light Brigade”, 6ft x 4ft), on the recommendation of Ken Howard (R.A.), because it involved painting from imagination and the visualisation of the scene. This led to the commissioning, by the British Army, to paint large paintings of historical battles (many of which took place prior to photography). Over the years he has painted military campaigns, ranging from India to the two World Wars, and modern conflicts in the Falklands, Bosnia and the Gulf War, often including portraits of the main participants.

The historical military paintings gave him a wonderful opportunity to paint a terrific range of orchestration, i.e. men and horses in action, colourful uniforms and costumes, incredibly varied scenery from ice and snow to steaming jungles. Peter Archer has also enjoyed the challenge of bringing to life the drama and impact of a full-scale battle, on capturing the emotion entailed in a solitary action of individual bravery.

He has has also been commissioned to record ceremonial occasions, involving the Queen and other members of the Royal Family. In addition, he has been commissioned to paint for the Canadian Army, the Sultan of Oman and many other private individuals.

lnterspersed with the commissions, Peter Archer has been painting his own work, which has been exhibited at the Royal Academy (UK), the Hall Gallery (UK), various galleries in London (UK), Woodbridge (UK), lpswich (UK), Lavenham Galleries in Suffolk (UK), Montluçon (France) and Amsterdam (Netherlands), where he had his own gallery.

Since 1999 he has had a small gallery in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne (France). Here in France, he prefers to paint the local activity: beach scenes, street musicians, open air theatre, or just people relaxing in pavement cafés. He obviously enjoys people!

Whilst he will tackle any subject, landscape, seascape, architecture, animals, etc., 
he is at his happiest when he has a good portrait commission to work on!"