Phil has studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney and has also studied classical drawing and painting techniques in Italy at the Florence Academy of Art. Phil has been a finalist in a major realist drawing and painting prizes such as the Alice Bale and Kenneth Jack Memorial Award as well as being a finalist in the Percival Portrait Prize, Blue Mountains Portraits, Mudgee Portrait Prize and the National Portrait Gallery Darling Portrait Prize. Phil also teaches classical drawing and painting skills and techniques as well as artistic anatomy, and is available for commissions and workshops. Phil has run specialised workshops in areas such as silverpoint as well as classical atelier techniques and figurative drawing and painting.