Attenborough painting being auctioned for charity

John Donaldson said the portrait - based on a portrait photo by Sam Faulkner - "epitomises" Sir David Attenborough

A portrait of Sir David Attenborough is being auctioned to raise money for charity.

John Donaldson, from Bristol, has painted more than 200 portraits of more than 150 celebrities and sports stars.

"I really enjoyed this piece and it's probably my favourite painting that I've ever done," Mr Donaldson said.

The money raised from the painting - based on a portrait photo by Sam Faulkner - will be donated to the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.

A reserve price of £500 has already been met, with bidding due to come to a close at midnight on 20 December.

The portrait was digitally painted from a photograph of Sir David, taken by the BBC for Silverback Studios.

It depicts the broadcaster looking down with his hand to his chin, "deep in thought".

"I thought it was the perfect image - it epitomises him," Mr Donaldson said.

"It's probably my favourite painting that I've ever done," Mr Donaldson said

The artist, who has amassed an audience of more than 50,000 on social media, asked his followers for ideas of who to paint.

"The amount of people that said I should paint David Attenborough made me do it.

"It's such a diverse age group that knows who he is," he said.

Mr Donaldson was inspired to raise money for charity following Marcus Stewart's MND diagnosis in September 2022.

The former Bristol Rovers, Bristol City, Ipswich Town and Sunderland striker was once one of Mr Donaldson's heroes, and the pair have since become friends.

In the past, Mr Donaldson painted a portrait of Stewart in his Bristol Rovers kit for charity.

"The feedback it got and the money it raised made me want to do more.

“It opened my eyes to what you can do for charity," he added.