LIKE Picasso before him, Edward Simpson dashes off his works of art with big, bold, confident sweeps of the brush.

He also shares Picasso’s childlike simplicity which is, perhaps, not surprising — for Edward is only 6 years old.

Edward, an infant school pupil, has become the youngest artist to have a work accepted for display at the British Watercolour Society’s annual Christmas exhibition. He was also the only artist out of 275 to sell all of their paintings on display. His four works sold for £50 each.

Dog, Cat, Sheep and Grandad were sold within two hours of the opening of the society’s 100th show at the Winter Gardens, in Ilkley, West Yorkshire. Edward, who has been painting seriously for less than a year, comes from a family of artists stretching back to the 17th century. His father, Nigel Simpson, 38, was 13 when he attracted the praise of the late Queen Mother. She was so taken with a landscape of the Yorkshire Dales that she acquired it for her private collection.

His grandfather Leslie, 75, is a professional painter and illustrator of children’s books, including the Ollie the Whimsey Collie collection. He is also director of the British Watercolour Society.

At first his grandfather was less than anxious to encourage Edward, partly because he did not want him to damage his paints but mostly because “we did not need another struggling and penniless artist in the family”.

Edward’s talents were spotted by his teachers, who concluded in his report that he “paints like a famous artist”.

His father, of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, said: “Edward really is a natural. He may only be 6 years old but he has an eye for art and knows exactly what he is doing with a paint brush. He just knows what to do instinctively.

“Most artists had around six paintings in the show and sold one or two but Edward was the only person to sell all of his. Obviously we are extremely proud of him.”

Edward favours animals, especially dogs. His bold cartoonish figures have already established a small but exclusive market.

“They are spot on,” said Mr Simpson. “It is a bit of a daub and a bit of a splash but the colours are right. He said the other day: ‘I want green’ and then added ‘Don’t tell me how to do it’. He instinctively knew to mix blue and yellow. He just knows. I do not know how.

Keith Peters, of Harrogate, bought Dog for his London home. Mr Peters said: “We felt very honoured to buy one of Edward’s paintings. I am sure they will be a talking point when friends ask about it.”

Edward already has his next commission. He has been asked to show his latest works alongside those of his father and grandfather at Harrogate Theatre in the new year.

Wendy Simpson, 38, his mother, said: “He is very talented but the main thing is that he gets so much enjoyment out of it. While he enjoys it we will carry on supporting him”.

His grandfather said last night that the British Watercolour Society has been keen to encourage young talent.

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