The British band Fantasy was formed in Kent in 1970 under the name Chapel Farm and primarily played cover versions. Following various line-up changes, the band – now known as Firequeen – sent a demo tape featuring their own compositions to Decca and Polydor, and were eventually signed by Polydor in early 1973. The band, renamed Fantasy once again at the label’s insistence, consisted of the following musicians: lead singer and guitarist Paul Lawrence, lead guitarist and singer Peter James, keyboardist and singer David Metcalfe, bassist and singer David Read as well as drummer and singer Jon Webster. Their debut album, recorded in May/June 1973 at Chipping Norton Recording Studios and produced by Peter Sames, was released in December with an imaginative cover design by the artist Larry Learmonth, though only in the UK.

It offers an impressive collection of British, Mellotron-influenced progressive rock with a symphonic orientation, very much in the tradition of bands such as Spring, Cressida and Genesis. Although commercial success eluded them, the quintet recorded their second album in July 1974. The band felt they had further developed their style, but the recordings were rejected by the record company. As a result, keyboardist Metcalfe left the group, which subsequently disbanded shortly afterwards. Today, the LP Paint A Picture is regarded as a classic of British prog and, despite having been released on a major label, is an extremely rare collector’s item.