Glasgow artist and writer Alasdair Gray has revealed his plans for the mural he is creating which will transform one of the city's subway stations.

The creative – who has lived most of his life in the west end of the city – was in philosophical mood as a new exhibition of his work went on display.

The painter said he has had to take on four more assistants to finish the design which will be based the on the panaromic view of Hillhead used in an illustration for his novel, Old Men in Love.

He said: "I intended a simple enlargement of the drawing. But you can’t make a mural from a small drawing by just enlarging it to a very big wall.

"Therefore it has become a highly detailed and complex work. My crazy vanity that wants to produce big and impressive things has carried on as usual."

As well as being an internationally acclaimed writer Gray is something of an institution in and around the Byres Road area of Glasgow. He already has murals in The Ubiquitous Chip restaurant and the Oran Mor venue.