by Sian Napiersnapier@thekmgroup.co.uk

When artist Paul Elmsley did an official portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge one Kent amateur thought he could do better.

The original painting was widely criticised last week amid claims it was not a good likeness to the former Kate Middleton.

So Whitstable artist Aaron Moran, who works on the shop floor at Sainsbury's in Chestfield, took out his easel to complete his own artistic work.

And his image made it onto the pages of The Sun last Friday as part of a feature.

Talented Aaron, 28, who lives at Seaview caravan park, Swalecliffe, was persuaded to come up with his own watercolour portrait of the duchess by his mother.

Said Aaron: “My mother asked me what I thought of the official portrait and I said the nose was a bit long and the muscles round the mouth looked a bit tense, as if she was sucking a lemon.

"My mother asked if I could do better than that and I said yes, if I have enough time to do it.

“I took some pictures from the web and spent from noon to 8pm one day painting the portrait. I used watercolours, with pencil and a ballpoint pen as well.

“I sent it off to the Sun and received an email saying it wanted to use it in the paper. I was amazed but really pleased.”

Aaron has been painting and drawing since he was a young child. He added: “My mother says I could paint before I could walk or talk. I have always loved art but stopped drawing when my parents’ marriage broke down.

“Then, about two years’ ago, I rediscovered my art and have been drawing and painting ever since. I use whatever I can get my hands on and I also do animation, collage and sculpture.

"I am working on several art projects at the moment, including a graphic novel called The Made Man which is about me.

“If people email me a photo I can do a portrait from that. I’d love a career in art - I’d be very happy if I could do that and I would really like to hold an exhibition of my work in Whitstable if I could find a gallery space.”