THE National Portrait Gallery has unveiled its first painted portrait of former prime minister Tony Blair.

The oil painting, measuring 4ft by 3ft, is by artist Alastair Adams, who started on it two years ago with several sittings at Mr Blair's Buckinghamshire home. The gallery already has several photographic portraits of Mr Blair, including work by Nick Danziger, Terry O'Neill and Eamonn McCabe.

Picture: Alastair Adams