My David Beckham portrait began as a birthday present for a friend who is a huge Beckham fan.
Rather than painting him on the pitch, I wanted to capture Beckham away from football—as a cultural icon who has moved comfortably between sport, fashion and popular culture. It became a 30 × 30 cm canvas combining digital painting, acrylic paint, gold leaf and glossy gold spray.
Why did I paint David Beckham?
The simple answer is that my friend loves him. That gave me the perfect excuse to create something personal rather than buy another birthday present destined to live in a drawer.
I was less interested in portraying Beckham as a footballer and more interested in the figure he became beyond the game. He is one of those people who can be recognised instantly without a football shirt, a stadium or much explanation.
I worked from a photograph I loved because it captured the quieter, off-field Beckham I wanted to paint. The photograph itself is not my work, so I have not reproduced the original reference image here.
How did the portrait begin in Procreate?
The first stage was painted digitally in Procreate. Working digitally gives me the freedom to build a portrait quickly, experiment with colour and adjust the composition without waiting for paint to dry—or discovering that I have put an eye somewhere unfortunate.
The intention was never to leave it as a purely digital image. The Procreate painting was the structure underneath the finished physical artwork.
How did I turn the digital artwork into a physical painting?
Once the digital portrait was complete, I printed it onto a square 30 × 30 cm canvas mounted onto a wood panel. I then worked across the entire surface with acrylic paint.
This changes the character of the artwork completely. The printed image becomes a foundation rather than the finished result. Brush marks, changes in colour and the physical texture of the paint make every finished version slightly different.
Why did I use gold leaf and glossy gold spray?
The gold came from Beckham’s famous “Golden Balls” nickname. It was too good an opportunity to ignore.
I added both gold leaf and glossy gold spray paint to the canvas. The gold leaf creates an irregular handmade surface, while the spray paint adds a smoother reflective finish. As the light changes, different areas catch and reflect it, so the portrait looks slightly different depending on where it hangs and where you stand.
It is a visual joke, but it also suits the subject. Beckham’s image has always included an element of polish, glamour and knowing extravagance. Subtle beige was never really going to do the job.
Did my friend like the finished portrait?
Fortunately, they loved it and hung it on their wall. That is always the best outcome for a piece made as a gift. It was created for one particular person, which gave the whole painting a reason to exist before I had even opened Procreate.
Can you buy the David Beckham painting?
The first version became my friend’s birthday present, but I later created two hand-finished copies. Because the acrylic, gold leaf and spray paint are applied by hand, each one has its own marks and variations.
View the David Beckham painting
Can I commission a personal portrait?
Yes. If you have a favourite musician, actor, sporting icon or someone closer to home you would like turned into a piece of art, get in touch. Portraits can combine digital painting with acrylics, gold leaf and other physical materials to create something personal rather than mass-produced.
Frequently asked questions
Is the David Beckham portrait digital or hand-painted?
It is both. The portrait began as a digital painting in Procreate, which was printed onto canvas and then painted over with acrylics, gold leaf and glossy gold spray paint.
What size is the finished portrait?
The finished David Beckham portrait measures 30 × 30 cm.
Is the portrait printed on paper?
No. The digital artwork is produced as a Giclée print on canvas, mounted onto a wood panel and then finished by hand.
Are the available copies identical?
No. The underlying portrait is the same, but the acrylic paint, gold leaf and glossy spray are applied by hand, so each finished copy varies slightly.