First aired 23rd November 1963, the day following JFK's assassination, Doctor Who became probably the best childrens show in the world, which can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike. For 46 years and 10 lead actors, the series has taken us from the beginning to the end of time, from current day Earth, across a galaxy of planets, to Gallifrey; home of the ancient race of Timelords.
'The Daleks' became the series most famous recurring villains and still enjoy a huge popularity in the UK today.The series originally ran from 1963 to 1989, when it was 'rested' by its makers, the BBC, due to low ratings. At that time the series was viewed by a quarter of the audience it had enjoyed during its heyday in the late 1970s.
While the series had obviously declined in quality, it also suffered from being scheduled away from its famous Saturday tea-time slot, and was being shown on a weeknight opposite the country's highest rated programme 'Coronation Street'.
Senior figures at the BBC, such as Michael Grade, had publicly stated they wished to be rid of Doctor Who.
Over then next decade and a half there were several attempts to revive the format, most notable in 1986 when a TV movie featuring Paul McGann was made as a co-production with Universal in the US. But it wasn't until 2005 that the series would return 'proper'.
2005 Series
Highly respected television writer Russell T Davies executive produced the modern update of Doctor Who. This time, with full support from the BBC, Doctor Who 2005 was launched to a media frenzy and has since maintained its new status as the BBC's most popular drama. With much higher production values and modern storytelling the show is currently enjoying a broader appeal and higher profile than it had ever managed during the original series. Many feel that this is due largely to Davies's writing style and casting choices which may be appealing to the female audience; a rarity in a sci-fi show.
David Tennant
For the second year of this new incarnation of Doctor Who, David Tennant was cast as the Doctor. He has an incredibly popular appeal, especially to younger women.Billie Piper
His female companion was played by the amazing Billie Piper, an ex-teenage pop star who took both the media, and the public at large, by surprise with her acting talents. Though leaving the show, both actors have brilliant careers ahead of them.
Catherine Tate
For the most recent series, David was joined by Catherine Tate, an actress who for most of her career had actually played comic characters in sketch shows.
Specials
The series enjoys a tradition of standalone Christmas Specials, usually featuring a 'one off' companion. The most popular was probably 'Voyage of the Damned' concerning the Spaceship Titanic and co-starring Australian singer/actress Kylie Minogue.This was one of my first paintings to be done in a pop art style.
By the end of this year, David Tennant will have left the role, to be replaced by young actor Matt Smith.
The Adipose
Featured in last year's series of DOCTOR WHO, the cutest 'monsters' ever brought to television!
This painting was actually done the week the episode aired... I painted them while they were still fresh in my mind, they are just so cute.
It was an interesting diversion at a time when 99% of my artworks were strictly done in a black and white pop art style. Painted in acrylics on a stretched canvas 40 inches wide, the Adipose were great fun to do! Basically they are blobs of fat, partying!
The Daleks
Themselves now a pop art icon, the Daleks featured in the series second story and in 1964 the country was dominated by 'Dalekmania'! Though simplistic in design their singular personality fed the imagination of children sending them scurrying 'behind the sofa'.The new series inevitably features annual appearances of updated, though thankfully, faithfully designed Daleks. These paintings depict the Daleks as they appeared to viewers in the 1960s.
In fact, most of these artworks features designs slightly modified for their appearance in two feature films released in the late 60s as a response to their popular appeal.
John Barrowman
A recurring character on the series, Captain Jack Harkness is played by John Barrowman. A stage performer mainly in musical shows he was virtually unknown by the public until his appearance in Doctor Who.
He has now become a houselhold name and appears on television just about every single day! The inescapable Mr Barrowman is highly popular with the female audience and his personanality projects boyish excitement.
His character is the lead in the spinoff series Torchwood, featuring a secret organisation charge with saving the world on a weekly basis ...in Cardiff. Made largely by the same production team that bring us Doctor Who, Torchwood has an exclusively adult format.
Torchwood's darker style and design lend itself very much to my neo pop art style of painting. I confess I really enjoy creating sexy paintings of Torchwood, my favourite subject being Gwen Cooper, played by gorgeous welsh actress Eve Myles.
David Tennant Charity Auction
I was asked to produce a painting of David Tennant by a fan. Standing on the mountains of Gallifrey, the city of the Timelords in the background, under images of the previous nine Doctors in the Gallifreyan sky. The brief was quite specific and the result was only partially successful I felt.
The painting, done without payment, was given to David Tennant as a gift. He then in turn decided to auction the painting in aid of the charity Accord. Signed by the actor and placed on ebay the painting eventually raised £1550!
I photographed the painting prior to adding David Tennant as I loved the sci-fi nature of the scene! I had great fun painting the snowy lanscape which up close is really quite rich with colours.
