Self-portraits of Hampstead schoolchildren could soon be on display at one of the capital’s most prestigious art galleries.

Ham & High: Matthew Seaman, 13, and Jason Banks,11, with their self portraits at University College School in Hampstead. Picture: Nigel SuttonMatthew Seaman, 13, and Jason Banks,11, with their self portraits at University College School in Hampstead. Picture: Nigel Sutton (Image: © Nigel Sutton email pictures@nigelsuttonphotography.com)

Celebrated portrait artist Tai-Shan Schierenberg, winner of the National Portrait Gallery’s 1989 John Player Portrait Award, helped children from University College School (UCS) and charity Kids Company paint self-portraits at the Frognal school on Saturday (April 26).

Their works could soon be displayed on the walls of the National Portrait Gallery, near Trafalgar Square, at an exhibition to raise money for the charity, which works with extremely vulnerable children across the capital.

Of painting a self-portrait for the first time, UCS pupil Gabriel Hartwill, 12, said: “When I arrived, I started to regret it because there were a lot of people around and I thought that I might not be good at it. But Tai was a great influence and help.”