Artist returns to beach to create sand portraits

A Dutch sand artist has returned to an Essex beach to create portraits of well-known figures.

Gert-Jan Van Der Kooij used the sands at Walton-on-the-Naze beach to sketch images of Dolly Parton, Ozzy Osbourne and David Hockney, all of whom have recently died.

He was taking part in the Walton Arts Festival at the weekend and, as well as celebrities, he created images of Walton women who have made a difference historically.

Van Der Kooij said he uses computer software to plan his handiwork, and wears virtual-reality goggles, which project the image onto the beach, allowing him to then "draw" the design into the sand.

The artist, who lives near a beach in the Netherlands, started out using his hands for his artwork until his wife bought him a rake.

Known as "The Beach Raker" in his home country, he said it took about 10 minutes to draw a portrait in the sand for the festival, which is also known as Between The Tides.

"I draw really, really fast," he said. "And I also draw them in perspective. So usually when I do my drawings, you can only see them good from above."

He said he liked creating his art at Walton-on-the-Naze as its high promenade meant he had an audience watching him while he worked.

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