Bradford artist Darren Baker, famed for his football portraits, is now going for gold at the London Olympics.

In the run-up to the London 2012 Games, former Bradford College student Darren, 33, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) official artist, is turning his hand to creating paintings of British Olympic champions.

They are faces which are now familiar from Beijing and who hope to be stars again at London 2012.

After painting the Prince of Wales last year, Darren has joined an elite band of artists who have been commissioned to paint the Queen.

He said: “Unless you are familiar with my work, that is the first reaction, that it is a photograph. But that is pretty good because people look closer. They realise it is a painting and it draws them in.”

Darren’s own cultural journey to the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics began last week with his first contact with Beijing lightweight double sculls rowing champion Zac Purchase.

He said he couldn’t wait for the Olympic Games.