A SENIOR army official in Scotland is looking to raise money through his love of painting.

Hugo Clark is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, having served for 36 years. 

His career has included operational tours in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan and Sub-Saharan Africa.

He now works in the army’s headquarters in Scotland as head of engagement and outreach. 

But, in his spare time, he works from an art studio at his home in the Borders.

Lt Col Clark started drawing and painting about 20 years ago, learning from YouTube videos and the occasional short course at the Edinburgh Atelier of Fine Art. His oil painting only started about three years ago. 

He focuses on people and portraiture, occasionally mixing his art subjects with his love of Scottish history and ballads.

Lt Col Clark’s paintings are sold from his own personal online gallery. The latest painting foray from the Colonel is, however, for purely charitable purposes. 

Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, Lt Col Clark donated four pieces of art for a silent auction to benefit armed forces charities Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland.

Lt Col Clark said: “Something as ambitious as this D-Day project is completely new ground for me – I wasn’t there at D-Day, nor can I simply jump into the back of a Dakota C47 aircraft or take a good look at the stern of a K Class Destroyer. 

“I draw and paint people best so wanted to put a human picture on D-Day and, if possible, wanted to take the viewer there and to capture the feel of what it might have been like.”

D-Day, codenamed Operation Overlord, is the largest amphibious assault in history. 

On June 6, 1944, Allied forces invaded northern France, and, within a year, victory in Europe was declared. 

Thousands of Allied forces lost their lives or were injured, and more than 100,000 military personnel took part.

To mark the historic milestone, Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland have partnered to produce Scotland’s Salute, a commemorative concert that will be held at the Usher Hall on June 6.

The concert will feature music from The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland, musical representation from the Royal Regiment of Scotland, plus others, and is hosted by TV presenter JJ Chalmers, who himself is a Royal Marines veteran.

The donated art will be up for grabs at Scotland’s Salute through a silent auction at the interval of the concert.