City artist Temper is set to sell out his latest collection in a week after returning following five years out of the game

The graffiti artist, whose real name is Arron Bird, returned to the scene with a new 12-strong collection called Cover Versions, which represented his first foray into oil painting.

Dozens flocked to launches in Birmingham and London which saw 10 of the £45,000 originals sold in less than two days while the final two have since been reserved.

Glyn Washington, managing director of Washington Green Fine Art, said the limited edition prints, which feature a resin frame cast from an original made from 45 seven-inch singles, were selling so fast they were struggling to order enough frames to keep pace.

He said: "It has been a huge success. We have sold 10 originals and have two more on reserve. It will be a sell-out very soon.

"Locally, I don't think we have ever worked with anyone of this stature, and there is much more we can do with him."

Mr Washington added: "I couldn't believe he was painting in oil. I have known artists go from acrylic to oils and virtually cut their ears off.

"When I saw it I was blown away, and I knew it was a project I had to be involved in. I think he is an amazing talent. His ideas are endless and limitless and he is already on to the next thing."

The collection, which features album covers from the likes of The Beatles, The Who, Oasis and Chemical Brothers but with a twist, was Temper's 14th.

He told the Post it was particularly pleasing to see that level of demand after being away from art for five years.

The 42-year-old has been involved in art in the West Midlands for three decades, starting on the streets of Wolverhampton spray-painting walls.

He went on to be commissioned by the likes of Coca-Cola, Saatchi & Saatchi and even Roman Abramovich.

Today, he calls the Jewellery Quarter home and has become passionate about elevating Birmingham on the global art map.

He told the Post: "To come back with a different medium and have this reaction, I don't think I can complain. Everyone seems to love the concept. Nostalgia plays a part but it doesn't capture people's imaginations if it is done wrong."

The collection is one of very few which mix oil and acrylic - as well as mixing two very different forms of art.

"I have got a set way of how I paint with aerosol and I plan every single one - they are all different but I know now where I am going and how I am going to get there. With oil I didn't know that, I had to learn."