 In 1817 he visited Paris with Leslie and Washington Allston, and painted "The Departure of the Diligence from Rouen", and the "Scene on the Boulevards" (both sold privately) - these were exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1818.He also painted several portraits around this time.In 1820, Collins was elected a Royal Academician (RA), presenting as his diploma picture "The Young Anglers".