Richard Barber classifies himself as a realistic painter but not in the sense as to be ultra realistic, he has no wish to be photographic, feeling that one should leave something for the viewers eyes and mind to interpret, the point where the viewer's eyes and mind takeover and create their own mood and feelings in relation to the artwork. As each painting creates it's own mood, and a different meaning to different people.

Barber paints landscapes, seascapes, figurative (nude), portraits, and still life, sometimes creating surrealist works.

He works mainly in oils, but sometimes works in other mediums such as watercolour and acrylic. He has also, in the past, worked in encaustic's and sculpted in wood, stone (marble, Portland stone ), clay and flour dough.

He does not stick to any one particular subject as he believes an artist should try and expand their knowledge, not only in subject matter, but also in the style and medium they work in.

He says, "I now feel priviledged living in China, where there is a wealth of artists both in the traditional Chinese style and all of the western styles of art, (Classical , Modern Contemporary, and Surrealist). I feel that art brings out the best in people and that we can learn a lot from the Chinese regarding art."

Barber tries to make it a pleasant and enjoyable journey into the inner mind for the viewer, leaving them in a pleasant and tranquil mood, as all art should be viewed and absorbed like a good book, one that makes the mind wander through it's pages far away from the trials and tribulations of everyday life, into that other world.