buckner first worked in a studio in whyke house, his family home. after serving in the army in 1832 and 1833 as a second lieutenant in the king's royal rifle corps he studied painting under giovanni battista cassevari in rome. while in rome buckner gave advice to frederick (lord) leighton, later pra, when he was starting his career. buckner lived in and had his studio in cleveland row, opposite st james's palace, in london.