A painting by Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood will be sold this week to raise money for London's Royal Academy of Arts.

The painting, a sketch of Royal Ballet stars Carlos Acosta and Darcey Bussell, is one of more than 30 works up for grabs at the auction on Wednesday.

Wood, who began showing his art publicly in the 1980s and has had many exhibitions around the world, said he was "honoured" to donate his sketch.

"As an artist and art lover, I am devoted to the human form," he said.

"I have had the privilege and excitement of standing in the wings of the Royal Ballet and sketching Britain's premiere ballet dancers.

"The precision of physical movement of these dancers is mesmerising."

Tracy Emin, Mary Fedden and Ken Howard are among the Royal Academicians who have also donated pieces to the auction.

Wood will be guest speaker at the event, a celebration of the schools that have been a principal component of the Royal Academy since its foundation in 1768.

The Rolling Stones guitarist said the auction would "support artists through the Royal Academy Schools so people like me can continue to be inspired by new talent".

Lots for this year's auction are now on show at the Royal Academy of Arts in central London.

The Rolling Stones are an English band whose blues, rhythm and blues and rock and roll-infused music became popular during the "British Invasion" in the early 1960s.

The band was formed in London in 1962 by Brian Jones, and eventually was led by the songwriting partnership of singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards... read more...