Alex studied at Canterbury Christchurch College and the Royal Drawing School, both of which champion work from direct observation. The 'Euston Road' tradition and artists such as Uglow loomed large. In recent years he has taken on a somewhat fauvist flavour.

Alex has shown extensively throughout the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland, including: London's Trinity House Paintings, Mall Galleries, Dulwich Picture Gallery, British Museum, RA summer show and the Solomon Gallery in Dublin. Alex is now based in Dorset where he has his studio.

In 2002 he was awarded the Sidney Cooper prize for drawing, in 2010 the Denis Mahon scholarship from the Royal Drawing School and in 2012 he received the Phyllis Roberts award from the Royal Institute of Oil Painters.