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Commissioning a portrait painting

I am a professional portrait artist working in oils. With more than 20 years experience painting, teaching others and exhibiting, I aim to create beautiful oil portraits that will be treasured forever.

A portrait is a special way to commemorate an event or achievement, or simply record a time of our lives that we wish to remember. When you commission a portrait of someone, you are paying homage to them and the impression they leave on the people and the world around them.

My portraits are created using high quality oil paints, which ensures that your painting will have depth and richness and will be a lasting treasure. Oils are the ideal medium to create realistic portraits that capture the essence of a person.

Portrait paintings in oils

Enquire about a portrait painting

Please use this form to get in touch about a portrait of yourself or a loved one.

Please include some information about the sitter and if you have ideas about the size or format (e.g. head and shoulders, head and torso or full length).

I look forward to hearing from you.

The Process

I can work from a photograph or a combination of sittings and photography.

A sitting will normally involve one session where I will make sketches and colour notes and take some photographs. The portrait can then be completed in the studio. It is always helpful to get to know the sitter a bit during this time.

I can also work from photographs alone, which is often more convenient for clients.

It helps to have an idea of the size and style of portrait you have in mind before you make contact, although I’m happy to discuss these ideas with you and advise where possible. Think about whether or not you would like it to be head and shoulders, head and torso, and whether you would like hands to be included (e.g. seated and from waist up).

This is an outline of what you can expect from the process when you commission a portrait.

Contact me to begin the conversation
When the size and format has been agreed, a non-refundable deposit of one third of the painting price is required. This secures your place in my order book.
We will either arrange a sitting where I can make sketches/colour notes and take photographs OR agree the composition from a photograph.
I will work up the final composition, then begin the painting.
I will contact you with a photograph of the painting when completed (this can take several weeks).
The final payment is due when you are completely happy with the portrait.
There is a three week drying period before the painting can be varnished (and framed if that has been discussed).
Once the painting is dry and varnished, it will be ready for collection. If you are unable to collect from my studio in Suffolk, I can ship it to you anywhere in the UK.

Oil portrait examples

Prices

Prices vary depending on the size of the portrait and the format.

The prices below are indicative:

A small 30cm x 25cm (12"x10") head and shoulders portrait starts at £900 (unframed).

A 40cm x 30cm (16”x12”) unframed portrait with plain background starts at £1,300

A 50cm x 40cm (20"x16") unframed portrait with plain background starts at £1,900.

An 80cm x 60cm (32"x24") portrait including hands, starts at £4,000.

I can work from photographs if a sitting is not possible or desired.

Please get in touch to ask for a bespoke quotation tailored to your requirements.

About me

I am a professional portrait artist specialising in oil painting.

I have taught art at GCSE, A Level and degree level and have run workshops and classes independently.

I studied art and art history at the Winchester School of Art and completed a Masters degree in art history at the University of Essex. I completed a further course in colour theory at Central St Martins in 2017 and have also studied under a former director of the Florence School of Art.

With over 20 years experience painting and exhibiting, I take care to produce a portrait that will be treasured for years.

Each portrait takes hours of dedicated work. I want to create something that will be treasured forever.

If you have any questions about the process, then I will be happy to answer!

Get in touch

Enquire about a portrait

Please get in touch about a portrait of yourself or a loved one.