Dad's portrait of daughter on national display

Evelyn in front of the picture on display at the National Portrait Gallery in London

A dad's painting of his daughter is on display in the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Matthew, 51, from Hull, who only started painting full-time last year when he took a sabbatical from his job as a data architect, said it was "quite overwhelming" to discover his portrait of Evelyn, 10, would be on show to a national audience.

The picture, on display until 12 October, was one of 46 chosen from 1,300 entries as part of the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award, which is one of the most important platforms for portrait painters today, according to the gallery.

Evelyn said she was "really excited" but "nervous" at the same time about the fact lots of people would see her painting.

Matthew painted the portrait of his daughter while on a sabbatical last year

The time off from work allowed Matthew to spend more time in his Hull studio, where he decided to paint Evelyn.

"She was very patient," he said.

"I did a couple of drawings of her to familiarise [myself], even though I know what she looks like."

Evelyn said she agreed to the painting because she thought it was a nice thing of her father to do.

She said: "I enjoyed it.

"I felt really, really proud, not just of my dad but because I managed to sit long enough for him to manage to paint me.

"My best friend's really proud of me, but she said she was also really jealous that now I'm famous."

Matthew, who puts on exhibitions in his home city, said he entered the competition after being told about it by a friend.

Matthew added: "I knew it was a strong painting but I didn't think I'd get through.

"I really like the painting because it makes it looks alive."

Evelyn, centre, with her family outside the National Portrait Gallery

After making it through the first round, he was then "excited" to attend an in-person judging session in London before receiving an email in February informing him his picture had been selected.

Evelyn said that when she attended the gallery to see her portrait on display, other visitors recognised that it was her in the portrait.

Matthew added: "She got into the swing of it in terms of talking to people and the artists. All the other artists were really lovely with her."

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