This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/8165712.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Oldest man portrait is unveiled Oldest man portrait is unveiled
(about 5 hours later)
A portrait of old soldier Henry Allingham completed days before his death last weekend is being unveiled. A portrait of ex-serviceman Henry Allingham completed days before his death last weekend is being unveiled.
Artist Dan Llywelyn Hall, said it was an "enormous privilege" to have painted Mr Allingham, who at 113 was the world's oldest man.Artist Dan Llywelyn Hall, said it was an "enormous privilege" to have painted Mr Allingham, who at 113 was the world's oldest man.
His portrait will later be sold to raise funds for the ex-forces care home where Mr Allingham lived.His portrait will later be sold to raise funds for the ex-forces care home where Mr Allingham lived.
Mr Hall, from south Wales, said the work was a tribute to the old soldier, whose life spanned three centuries. Mr Hall, from south Wales, said the work was a tribute to the veteran, whose life spanned three centuries.
"It was a pure coincidence that I went to paint him just six or seven days before he died.""It was a pure coincidence that I went to paint him just six or seven days before he died."
Mr Hall, from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, spent about three hours with Mr Allingham and a nurse at the St Dunstan's care home for blind ex-service personnel near Brighton in Sussex making studies for the completed portrait which measures 3ft by 2ft 6in (91cm by 76cm).Mr Hall, from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, spent about three hours with Mr Allingham and a nurse at the St Dunstan's care home for blind ex-service personnel near Brighton in Sussex making studies for the completed portrait which measures 3ft by 2ft 6in (91cm by 76cm).
Steely stuffSteely stuff
"He was very alert and articulate throughout, speaking very clearly and singing songs for much of the time. He was quite a thinker," said the artist."He was very alert and articulate throughout, speaking very clearly and singing songs for much of the time. He was quite a thinker," said the artist.
"He had a tremendous presence.""He had a tremendous presence."
Mr Hall, who is 28, has also painted a portrait of "Last Tommy" Harry Patch, who at 111 is the last surviving soldier from the trenches of World War I.Mr Hall, who is 28, has also painted a portrait of "Last Tommy" Harry Patch, who at 111 is the last surviving soldier from the trenches of World War I.
The artist said he thought it very important that the soldiers who he said were "made of steely stuff" were recorded in this way, so that people of his own generation could connect with them. The artist said he thought it very important that the veterans who he said were "made of steely stuff" were recorded in this way, so that people of his own generation could connect with them.
His latest portrait of Mr Allingham which is being unveiled on Friday for a BBC documentary, defines the old soldier's "elegant appearance" and "charming character". His latest portrait of Mr Allingham which is being unveiled on Friday for a BBC documentary, defines his "elegant appearance" and "charming character".
Military honoursMilitary honours
"I wanted to emphasise his bold fingers and his gestures. I felt that was his means of expression.""I wanted to emphasise his bold fingers and his gestures. I felt that was his means of expression."
The finished work will go on show at a London gallery in November and later be sold in aid of the care home, which approached Mr Hall to paint the portrait.The finished work will go on show at a London gallery in November and later be sold in aid of the care home, which approached Mr Hall to paint the portrait.
A public funeral with full military honours for Mr Allingham will take place at St Nicholas Church in Brighton on 30 July.A public funeral with full military honours for Mr Allingham will take place at St Nicholas Church in Brighton on 30 July.
One of Mr Hall's studies for the finished portrait will be presented to the old soldier's grandson, who lives in America. One of Mr Hall's studies for the finished portrait will be presented to Mr Allingham's grandson, who lives in America.