Ronnie Wood marks 50 years as a Rolling Stone with ‘Paint It Black’ paintings of the band

Ronnie Wood has celebrated 50 years as a Rolling Stone by unveiling four new portraits of him and his bandmates.

• READ MORE: The Rolling Stones – ‘Hackney Diamonds’ review: they’ve still got it

The four new paintings have been shared as part of a new ‘Paint It Black’ collection, and will be available in a run of signed, limited edition prints.

Painted by the rock icon on top of a black background, four new artworks have been made: one of frontman Mick Jagger, one of Keith Richards, one of late drummer Charlie Watts, and a new self-portrait. As the name indicates, their completion coincides with the reissue of ‘Black and Blue’ – the record that saw Wood become a permanent member of the band.

The recording sessions for that LP served as auditions following Mick Taylor’s exit, and meant that the album had contributions from the likes of guitar greats Harvey Mandel, Wayne Perkins, Jeff Beck and Robert A. Johnson. Wood performed on three tracks and later joined as a full-time member.

Reflecting on the milestone and the new art collection, the musician said: “It’s hard to believe it’s been 50 years since I joined The Rolling Stones. In these portraits, I wanted to capture the spirit of Mick, Keith, me, and our late friend Charlie Watts, and the live shows we’ve been lucky enough to play together.”

“I’m proud of the journey we’ve been on, and it felt right to share these prints with the world now. Art has defined my life, and I’ve been painting even longer than I’ve been playing music,” he added.

While globally recognised for his musical talent, Wood clarified that he has actually “been painting and drawing for seven decades, which is even longer than I’ve been playing music”, and even won an award from the BBC’s Sketch Club for one of the drawings from his childhood.

“I paint to music, and sometimes when I’m playing, in my head I’m doing it to a painting. Art fills my life, art is my life, and art will continue to be my life,” he added.

The signed, personalised, limited edition ‘Paint It Black’ prints are available now from The Ronnie Wood shop, and can be viewed in person at Redhouse Originals Gallery. Visit here for more information.

The band celebrating five decades of ‘Black And Blue’ also comes at the same time that rumours are swirling about a new album and tour for 2026.

The last Stones album was 2023’s ‘Hackney Diamonds’, their 24th studio record and first in 18 years. It featured the final recordings of their late drummer Charlie Watts and included guest appearances from Lady Gaga, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder.

In September, Ronnie Wood revealed that the band had finished recording a follow-up album and suggested that it was set for release next year.

“Yes you will be getting a new album next year. It is done,” Wood told The Sun. “Yes we are hoping to do some dates… Hopefully we will be back out there but I am still waiting to find out myself.”

While details remain sparse, Andrew Watt did confirm that he has been working with the band on the record, and the band’s touring manager and keyboardist teased that a European 2026 tour is looking likely.

Mick Jagger and co. toured US stadiums last year, and reports came out earlier this year that they had scrapped plans to go on tour in the UK and Europe because of scheduling issues.

They last played the UK in 2022, when two huge BST Hyde Park gigs followed a stadium show at Liverpool’s Anfield.

While nothing has been confirmed at time of writing, Wood did tell NME in 2023 that he didn’t “think it would be” another 18 years until a new album.

NME gave ‘Hackney Diamonds’ a four-star review upon its release, describing it as an “absolute barnstormer” and adding, “If ‘Hackney Diamonds’ does round off the most successful career in rock music ever, it wouldn’t be a bad place to leave it. A natural end, but definitely not a normal one.”

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