Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio has been praising the work of a Bradford artist whose gallery is situated in the celebrity hideout of Deia.

Artist Alan Hydes, who divides his time between his home in Apperley Bridge and Majorca, had DiCaprio, famous for roles in Gangs of New York, The Beach, and Titanic, and John Cleese, of Fawlty Towers and Monty Python fame, in his studio last week admiring his work.

Mr Hyde’s neighbours in Deia include Catherine Zeta Jones, Michael Douglas and Andrew Lloyd Webber, who has bought some of his paintings.

Taking about the visit by DiCaprio, Mr Hyde said: “I was working on a new painting when he showed up. He just began talking about my paintings, saying he loved the colours.

“I showed him the Robert Palmer CD I designed. He really liked it and said it was so unusual. But he was really taken with my big painting of koi carp. He said it was almost psychedelic and the colours and shapes were amazing.

“He was very taken with my big portrait of Andrew Lloyd Webber and other paintings. We discussed my work and had a chat about films.”

On the subject of John Cleese, he added: “He was with his wife Jennifer Wade who is really stylish and hip. He came to look at the work and actually came back on several occasions. They plan to come back in the autumn to take art classes with me.”

Mr Hyde has previously spoken about his work with Andrew Lloyd Webber, saying: “Andrew has had pine trees in his grounds cleared, to allow ancient olive trees to grow, and he wanted something inside the house to reflect that Mediterranean feel. He bought six of my paintings of ancient olive trees.”

Lord Lloyd Webber became interested in Alan’s work after visiting an exhibition of his paintings at the Hotel Residential, where guests have included Princess Diana, the King and Queen of Spain, Harrison Ford and film director Francis Ford Coppola.

Much of the artist’s inspiration comes from his native Yorkshire. He has painted landscapes including Ilkley, Burnsall and the east coast, and autumn trees along the River Wharfe at Bolton Abbey. But he has also found a creative muse within the Mediterranean.

“When I’m in Majorca I paint differently, I’m more relaxed and the environment brings out a vibrancy in my work,” he says. “My studio looks out on to the bay. The views are fantastic. You can’t fail to be inspired by views like that.

“I feel much more free with my painting out in Deia. I create bright, vibrant scenes that come from the beautiful bay, the sunlight and the scent of herbs all around. The contrast in imagery and colour with my paintings of Yorkshire is remarkable.”