Kate Middleton’s official portrait artist unfazed by criticisms over painting

The artist who painted Duchess of Cambridge’s official portrait, Paul Emsley, has said that he has no regrets about the piece of artwork he chose to submit.

Despite harsh commentary from critics suggesting that the painting made her look much older, Emsley told the Washington Post that he wanted to do something that would convey “her true self, her natural self as she, herself, wanted,” something that conveys something of her sense of warmth, People magazine reported.

Emsley also revealed that he has an alternative version of the portrait on his studio wall in which Kate “appears bright-eyed and young, refreshed, even playful,” – but refused to allow it to be photographed.

As for the negative feedback his now-famous portrait has received, the artist brushes it off.

“Critics have a job to do. I understand that. It’s not just to criticise. They’re trying to interpret art for the public. That’s fine. I understand why they do it, but I’m not particularly interested. I honestly wouldn’t really take their opinions too seriously,” he said.

That said, when putting the piece together, he “had to consider very much the National Portrait Gallery requirements, and then my own requirements as an artist.”