I completed this little painting, depicting a Sir Topham Hatt (a.k.a. the Fat Controller) toy figure, last week. It’s another in a series of paintings depicting those toys belonging to my two sons that have particularly fond memories attached to them.

Both my boys were (and thankfully occasionally still are, though they are growing quickly) big Thomas and Friends fans. I was and remain a fan, having read the books when I were a lad, and enjoying all 24 series of the original TV series (I draw a curmudgeon-like line at All Engines Go!).

I painted this small plastic Sir Topham figure (which is only 6cm tall) to capture that fondness that all of us boys in the family share. The toy came with a magazine several years ago, and poor Sir Topham is now a bit worse for wear, having taken a lead role in some serious playing.

The painting was made in acrylics on A5 paper and in tribute to Sir Topham, caused neither confusion nor delay.