THE naturalist Iolo Williams has become an icon of the world of Welsh nature thanks to his enthusiasm for wildlife and the fact that he’s a natural in front of the camera.

But how comfortable will he be with a completely different medium – paint and brush?

In the second programme of the new series of Cymry ar Gynfas (The Welsh on Canvas) on Wednesday, 21 April at 9pm, a portrait of Iolo will be painted by the artist Meinir Mathias, who has a studio in Talgarreg.

Every week, Cymry ar Gynfas brings together a Welsh icon and artist to create a portrait which reflects the personality of the well-known face and the unique style of each artist.

And as well as revealing the finished portrait at the end of the episode, each programme offers an open and honest portrait of the icon and the artist as they talk about their experiences of painting and being painted.

Meinir is an artist who works mostly in oils and produces work inspired by Welsh history, stories and culture but enjoys using bright colours and patterns in her work too.

“Painting somebody that I didn’t know, somebody who is on television, was a completely different Process,” said Meinir.

“I think I work myself into my paintings, they are a bit like self-portraits and I include images from my own life. But this is about Iolo and it pulls you out of that comfort zone, makes you think differently and gives you a new perspective.”

Iolo and Meinir meet in a place that is very close to Iolo’s heart, Rhiwargor waterfall near Lake Fyrnwy. The valley and the path up to the waterfall is full of wonderful childhood memories for Iolo and he remembers the first time that he went to this place, which inspired him to pursue the field he specialises in today.

Bringing Meinir to this area at the beginning of the process was all important to Iolo: “Every time I’ve had a gutsful of the world and its trials and tribulations, this is the place I escape to... I wanted her to see the area which has had such an impact on me.

“I have had the genetics from Mam and Dad but the flesh on this DNA comes from this area.”

Meinir, as someone who loves nature, birds and walking along with Iolo’s passion for nature makes this a perfect partnership. And reaching the top of the waterfall and seeing the glorious views in his company obviously inspires Meinir.

“Iolo has a lot of energy and seeing him losing himself in the landscape was like watching a child playing. He got so excited about the smallest flower or something that he saw in the woods... I wanted to capture that energy.”

The unveiling happens two months later in Oriel Canfas, in Cardigan.

Has Meinir succeeded in capturing the energy and spirit of some of Iolo’s favourite things and will the importance of this area to his life be reflected in the finished piece?

This episode of Cymry ar Gynfas will air on Wednesday, 21 April at 9pm for the answers and to see the finished portrait.