lSHY artist Robert Wraith described the Queen as "fascinating and funny" during the hours they spent together while he painted her portrait.

Mr Wraith, 46, of Holton, near Wheatley, spent nine hours alone with the Queen while he depicted her on canvas in a gentle, flattering light. He said: "I had quite a number of hours with her, which were fascinating and quite challenging. We talked for hours - I am keeping the contents of our conversation to myself - but it was really interesting.

"The idea she is someone out of touch is so wide of the mark. She is really on the ball. She knows a very wide range of topics, is very perceptive, very intelligent and has a very humorous view of the world," he said from his studio yesterday (THURS).

The portrait shows the Queen in a formal red dress and dark cloak, wearing diamond jewellery.

Mr Wraith spent ten hours with the Queen but was given only two months to complete the work, which many art experts believe is very flattering to Her Majesty.

He said the painting was the pinnacle of a career that includes painting Nelson Mandela and the Prince of Wales. Unlike other artists who rely on photographs to jog their memory when painting, Mr Wraith prefers to do it all in person. "I like to work with the atmosphere of the moment so I am limiting myself much, much more. I am like a tightrope walker without a net.

"I usually have much longer for a portrait."

During the sittings the Queen resisted the urge to peek around his easel for a sneak preview. She has also resisted the temptation to comment publicly on what she thinks of Mr Wraith's creation, although sources at Buckingham Palace indicate she is pleased. Mr Wraith was commissioned by Shell to paint the Queen, to mark the centenary of the Anglo-Dutch oil giant's operations in Britain. It will hang and it will be hung permanently in Shell's boardroom.

For the next few days, however, it will remain at London's Mall Gallery. Mr Wraith was too shy to attend the official unveiling two days ago (WEDS).

Art critic John Billingham, of Abingdon, said: "I do not feel it is an outstanding portrait, although it does create a feeling of dignity. Its composition is rather dull, the background uninspiring."

He added: "Overall, I would have preferred the Queen's head and her hands to have formed a larger element of the portrait."

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