Rolf passed on his experience to the 10 and 11-year-olds

The artist held a workshop for pupils from Talybont Primary School, near Aberystwyth.

Mr Harris, 77, whose grandfather was from Merthyr Tydfil, also gave a demonstration of impressionist art.

Later he launched an exhibition of his work which included a portrait of Welsh mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins.

Jenkins, from Neath, joined an exclusive club including the Queen and top politicians, by becoming the latest subject of a Rolf Harris portrait last year.

The princess of classical music has described the art work, which has been on display before, as "fantastic" and said it was a "thrill" to be painted by Mr Harris.

Harris went around to introduce himself to each of the 10 pupils in turn, all aged 10 and 11, on Wednesday.

The pupils were asked to paint portraits during the workshop

But he joked that he had been given a bit of a sleepless night by some slightly older residents.

"It was very noisy last night and came as somewhat of a shock - the students were up and down the beach and seemed like they were up and about all night!

"I thought they must go to sleep at some point."

The pupils enjoyed the workshop, which involved them painting self-portraits and even portraits of Rolf.

Iwan Taylor, aged 11, said: "I wanted to paint a funny picture of myself."

He described having an art lesson from Rolf as "cool".

Singing star Katherine Jenkins said it was a "thrill" to be painted by Rolf. Enlarge Image

Mr Harris also later launched a portrait of Welsh painter Sir Kyffin Williams, who died last year, at the library in Aberystwyth, and a self-portrait of himself in the style of 17th Century Dutch artist, Rembrandt.

A painting by Mr Harris's grandfather, George Frederick Harris, of Rosina Davies, an evangelist and missionary and great aunt of Welsh actress Sian Phillips, will also be on display.

He said it was "very thrilling" to have the painting of his grandfather at the show.

The Australian, who has been an entertainer for more than 50 years, painted an official portrait of the Queen for her 80th birthday in 2005.