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Jesus was the descendant of King David, he's lineage is outlined quite well in the New Testament. As people began studying the Bible, especially the artists, they came across descriptions of David and liked what they read. So, to make Jesus even more desirable to the masses, they used the descriptions of David to paint Jesus.
I have included a couple of references for a physical descirption of David, these are what the artists based their paintings on.
1 Samuel 16:12
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
1 Sam. 17: 42
And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
In King James' time ruddy meant a fair complexion that had been exposed to the sun. So in other words, a white person who had spent time outside.
In the Queen Valera translation of the Bible these two verses use the word blonde (rubio).
Whether Jesus fit the description of his forebearer, we don't know. Really the question is an acedemic one anyway, not truly important.
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