Richard Sorrell NEAC RBA PPRWS is a British painter known for his distinctive figurative compositions, which explore people, relationships and everyday situations through invented rather than directly observed scenes. Working in oil, acrylic and watercolour, his paintings combine a strong foundation in drawing with an imaginative approach to colour, shape and composition.

Earlier in his career Sorrell worked predominantly from observation, painting landscapes, portraits and still lifes. Since the 1990s, invented compositions have become increasingly central to his practice, developing gradually from sketches, ideas and the process of painting itself.

Born in Essex in 1948, Sorrell studied at Walthamstow Art School, Kingston College of Art and the Royal Academy Schools. He is the son of artists Alan and Elizabeth Sorrell.

He is a member of the New English Art Club and Royal Society of British Artists, and was President of the Royal Watercolour Society from 2006 to 2009.