Derren Brown - National Portrait Gallery

'Rasputin Always Wins'

Oil on Board

600 x 900mm

Hi all!

It's been a while since I posted any finished paintings on here, but finally here is the Derren Brown painting that took me several months to complete.

It has been selected for exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London, as part of the BP Portrait Awards 2012! It will be on display with 55 other international portrait artists from 21st June-23rd September and will then go on tour around the country. I am a very proud artist right now!!

Derren and me after the sitting.

My subject, Derren Brown, is one of the most talented psychological illusionists in the UK, best known for his mind-reading and t.v stunts. His shows on Channel 4 during the early 2000's made him a household name. Three million viewers tuned in to watch him play Russian Roulette live on air in 2003!

He is also a talented painter. During our three hour sitting he gave me a tour of his home, or should I say his museum, dedicated to caricature, portraiture and, last but not least, taxidermy. Thankfully the bird in the painting, Rasputin, is very much alive. Sadly the others didn't make it.

His paintings were amazing to see in person, especially the Dame Judy Dench and the large format portraits of his parents. Wow!

Working on this has been an incredible experience. I am honoured to have met Derren and to be exhibiting at such an historic gallery. I look forward to seeing all the other paintings selected for the exhibition in June. Congrats to all!