Fans were able to question Yan Pei-Ming about his motives and philosophy behind his work, as part of the Extra Large exhibition in Monaco

Recognised as a "Master of the big strokes", Ming, as he is often referred to, is acclaimed as a talented portrait artist and one of the most expressive Chinese-born oil painters in the world.

The Paris-based artist's work includes portraits of Buddha, Bruce Lee, political leaders, and his father. There is very rarely a background depicted, just the often miserable subject in black and white and those incredible, large brush strokes. "I never felt the need to add objects to the people I painted, just the portrait is enough," he says.

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