This portrait depicts Captain J.A Kent seated in a relatively informal pose, slouching slightly in his seat, his arms resting lightly on his lap and his palms face down. Although he is facing forward his eyes are glancing away from the viewer towards the right of the picture plane, as though his attention has been caught by something outside of the composition. Despite the informality of his pose he has been drawn wearing full uniform, the gold embroidery on his sleeves signifying his rank as Captain. Although this portrait represents Kent in a relaxed moment his expression is weary, his face bearing the signs of hard work or concern. The portrait is set against a blank, pale grey background, and is in the original mount and frame from the War Artists Advisory Committee. [The original WAAC number is LD. 3219].

William Dring (1904-90) earned his reputation as a fine draughtsman and portrait painter whilst studying under Henry Tonks at the Slade School of Art between 1922 and 1925. He worked as a teacher of drawing and painting at the Southampton School of Art until 1940 when he was employed by the War Artist Advisory Committee, first as official war artist to the Admiralty and later to the Air Ministry. He made a large number of portrait drawings of individuals and groups, all remarkable for their informality. Dring travelled extensively to complete his commissions. The drawing is always precise and carefully modelled using pastel, a medium in which he specialised, and which allowed him to capture the likeness and spirit of his subjects quickly and under a variety of circumstances.