Artist David McDonagh wows ‘Royle Family’ star Ricky Tomlinson with painting

An Airdrie artist enjoyed a right Royle occasion as his work earned the praise of a British television legend.

David McDonagh met Ricky Tomlinson at an event in Glasgow and got the 84-year-old to sign his eye-catching portrait.

The former Royle Family, Cracker and Mike Bassett star responded to seeing David’s painting: “That’s great that kid, innit; beautiful.”

Talented David runs his own business, Lewy L. Paintings, and works on comic book art portraits and pop art.

He has shared special moments with many famous faces from the worlds of film, music, football and wrestling, including Andy Serkis, Robert Carlyle, The Undertaker, Ally McCoist, Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown, Meat Loaf and Liam Gallagher.

On his latest brush with fame, the former Airdrie Academy pupil told Lanarkshire Live: “Ricky is an absolute legend of British television, film and comedy.

“It was fantastic to meet with him and get him to sign my painting.

“He really liked the portrait and it never gets old hearing people you admire giving your work praise.

“The Royle Family is one of my favourite ever television shows and I wanted to immortalise Ricky’s character Jim in art.

“I’d like to thank Ricky for his time and very kind words.”

David added: “Working as an artist is my dream job; that’s what I wanted to be when I was at school but got it knocked out of me when I was told it wasn’t a ‘real job’.

“But I’ve proved that it is a real job and the timing was just right to become a full-time artist as I was juggling a full-time job with painting at night.

“I decided it was getting too much and handed my notice in and just went for it, with great support from fellow artists.”

To view and purchase David’s awesome artwork, visit his website.

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