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A talented artist has been investigated by Trading Standards because his drawings were so good people thought they were made using an app.

Professional artist John Fisher, 36, was visited at his home by two inspectors from the watchdog, who questioned him over the authenticity of the highly detailed pencil drawings which he does on commission.

An anonymous source reported Mr Fisher from South Ayrshire claiming he was 'scamming' people by using an app to produce his work, including portraits and landscapes,

Professional artist John Fisher, 36, has been investigated by Trading Standards after someone thought his lifelike drawings were being made with an app

His attention to detail and realism such as this drawing of Clint Eastwood prompted the anonymous source to get in touch with Trading Standards

But the artist showed the officers examples of his photo-realistic artwork and it didn't take long to convince them that it was genuine.

He said: 'They had a complaint about my artwork and said they'd been told it's not pencil and that I was using an app and trying to scam people.

'I invited them inside and showed them sketches and even rubbed some bits out to show them it was real pencil.

The source said Mr Fisher was 'scamming' people by pretending the pictures were his own, a mistake which could have cost him business

Mr Fisher had to show the Trading Standards inspectors the pictures were done by pencil and he rubbed some of it off to prove. Pictured: an Angela Lansbury work in progress, left, and completed, right

'I asked if there was anything else I could show them but they said it was pretty black and white it was pencil drawings.'

Despite quickly dispelling any doubts over his artwork, John said the malicious report could have deterred customers and cost him his business, which he runs from an attic studio.

His incredibly detailed work is often mistaken for photographs because it is so realistic.

Mr Fisher said: 'It's always a bit of an annoyance that someone would go to that length without doing a bit of homework first.

'People should at least back up what they're saying because that sort of thing could cost me business.'

Nearly two years ago John gave up his job as a chef to turn his talent into a full-time business.

Nearly two years ago John, pictured here in a self-portrait, gave up his job as a chef to turn his talent into a full-time business 

Family portraits are one of the most popular things he is asked to draw and he said he only draws from photographs, not real life

Having spent his weekends working at a bistro more than 100 miles away in Argyll, Mr Fisher quit the kitchen after his father John, 54, convinced him to pursue art.

He said: 'I'd been gradually reducing my hours in the kitchen then took the plunge.

'I was working with my dad at the weekends and getting four-and-a-half hour buses and coming back on Mondays to work at a hotel in Ayr.

'It was pretty scary at first, you're taking a big risk and obviously a big drop in your income, but I was a bit fed up of kitchens.

'There was only so many commissions I could do while chefing so I had to get a feel if I could get enough work in.'

An officer from Trading Standards left their card with the artist after the unexpected visit. Mr Fisher said: 'I invited them inside and showed them sketches and even rubbed some bits out to show them it was real pencil'

The artist, who has drawn pictures ranging from the late comic book hero Stan Lee to a white horse, said he struggled during the first few months but he is gaining attention online

Despite initially struggling to find his feet, Mr Fisher is now selling his works across the UK and has more than 2,000 social media followers.

He said: 'For the first couple of months I struggled a bit but I posted a lot online and got commissions through sharing fresh work.

'At this point it's 50-50 between stuff being sent around Scotland and down to England.'

The talented artist, who said horses, dogs and family portraits are the most popular things he is asked to draw, has also been in contact with celebrities. 

Mr Fisher, who draws from photographs, said his works can take him between hours to days to complete.

He said: 'I can't draw from life, people would be sitting for days - it'd be impossible.

A Trading Standards spokesman said: 'Our Trading Standards team is there to protect consumers, so if we receive information that products/services are possibly being sold under false pretences, we will carry out an investigation.

'We will generally visit the registered premises and if we are satisfied that everything is above board, then no further action will be taken.'