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. Alex's work has taken on a more playful, decorative style in recent years, often painted from drawings and using invented colour.

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, the Denis Mahon scholarship from the Royal Drawing School in 2010, and the Phyllis Roberts award from the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 2012.