Self-taught artist depicts Red Arrows on coins

A self-taught artist said it was "mind-blowing" that his work depicting the Red Arrows for a set of commemorative coins had been approved by the King.

Matthew Emeny, of Ipswich, was selected to paint the aerobatic aircraft on a collectors' set of five 50p coins to mark the team's 60th anniversary.

A special gold set was carried in the flight suit of each Red Arrows pilot during their flypast for the Trooping of the Colour on Saturday.

"It's just amazing that he [the King] got to the see the work I did as an artist; it gives you a nice feeling," said Mr Emeny.

Mr Emeny started drawing as a child and now depicts aircraft flown through history, with his work appearing on jigsaws and book covers.

He said the coin commission - featuring landmarks in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Jersey and Belfast - differed from his usual work.

"The way coins are minted and because they are so small, I had to hold back a bit on the detail and not get carried away, working on roughly eight inches square," he explained.

"Once it is shrunk down to the size of a 50p it looks more detailed."

He worked for about five hours on each, and "cannot believe" his work is now on the reverse of the King's head.

"When I was painting barges down at the mill, if anyone said to me you'd be asked to do a design for a coin I'd be like, what?

"Especially as a self-taught artist, I got a B in art.

"How far I've come, it's amazing really, I'm chuffed."

The coins will not be in circulation but are available as collectors' items.

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