
Looking back at this painting Bert realises that it is a masterpiece. His challenge was to replicate the ‘surface of things’ to the best of his ability. He has succeeded.
Over 700 hours of work.
You only have to look in the reflections to realise the key to photorealism is duplicating precisely the abstract qualities of said photograph.
Dimensions: 91x132cm
Painted: 2008
Materials: Acrylic on MDF board
Private collection
The story behind C is for Champion
Bert has always tried to reach ever-higher standards of skill with each successive photorealist painting. And with this painting – C is for champion – there is the obvious homage to the great driver and his car, but there is also a metaphor to be made. That is that Bert Ernie is a champion – a champion painter.
This particular work is an example of the success of building those painting skills over many years. Incredibly detailed, the depiction of ‘the surface of things’ in this painting is remarkable. Before painting could begin, many of the elements had to be drawn in – this stage alone took around a hundred hours. It then took several years and over 700 hours to complete.
This beautiful Jaguar C-type was photographed in front of Tony Rolt’s home, and Adrian Hamilton owns the car. Sadly Tony Rolt passed away during the process of painting this. Tony Rolt with Duncan Hamilton, made this particular car one of the most famous Jaguars of all time by winning Le Mans in 1953. This car is now considered to be the most valuable British car ever built.
Tony achieved much in his life, he was a soldier in the second world war, and later went on to have a huge part in British motor racing both as a driver and was among the unsung backroom heroes of British racing development.
Here’s a link to Tony Rolt’s wikipedia page.
Source image of realism painting C is for Champion

Detail views of realism painting C is for Champion


