portraits to commission
Click an images to view larger.
Ron Watson – Custodian : Watercolour on Paper.
An example of a portrait drawn from my own photographs on a day in Oxford documenting the various people connected to the colleges. At the time he was the porter at Aldates Entrance to Christ College. I took several of Ron Watson because I found his character so appealing. I loved the idea that he looked so frail and world weary and was guarding the portals to one of the most famous colleges in the world. I liked to reflect on the wisdom he has garnered through living in contrast to that stored in the books and learnt in the minds of those who had passed through his gate. I also liked the contrast between his rather shabby chic clothes and the expensive grandeur of the buildings behind him. For this reason I decided to do a full length portrait as well, which is in the process of becoming and is in oil, on a 4 foot by 3 foot canvas.
Portrait of Peter- Reflective Mood : Watercolour on Paper.
A portrait from another of my own photographs. It is more photographic realism than the portrait of Ron Watson because Peter is a Professional Photographer and likes realism in his artwork. I wanted to reflect that as well as his character while retaining my own interpretation.
Hebe - Last Summer : Oil on Board
A commissioned oil painting of a young girl enjoying her last summer before turning sixteen. It tries to capture the joy of youth alongside a suggestion of her chosen career- photography – depicted by the camera on the table. The camera also directs the focus back onto the sitter by placing it with the lens facing her- a suggestion that she is entering the realm of the adult in which she needs to be aware of herself at the centre of a world of her making- a world created by the choices she is about to make. This is an example of a commission in which the sitter came to me and I took a series of photographs from which to create my own interpretation of the portrait.
Sophie : Oil on Canvas
An unusual portrait of a baby capturing the feeling that here we have an old soul, well grounded in the aspects of the material world(represented by the strong maroon colours), returning for another incarnation. The interpretation was influenced by the information gained from her parents regarding their belief in re-incarnation and information from her astrological chart indicating a wise old soul.
In contrast to Sophie, Amelie's Baby Plate : Oil and Gold Leaf on Canvas
is more traditional in its treatment of the skin tones but also reflects the parent's metaphysical interests by indicating the joining of family trees within the gold leaf work (gold leaf would be extra if required).
Delighted with the first painting of their baby, Amelie's parents commissioned another Amelie - First Christmas : Oil and Gold Leaf on Canvas.
This painting captures her fascination with a cheap plastic yellow building brick while surrounded by all the glamour and gold decorations of Christmas. It reflects how a child has no concept of the materialistic aspects of Christmas at this young age.
Your Commission
Choosing an artistic portrait should not be based on photographic realism- that’s for the camera to capture.
An artistic portrait is a synergy between artistic style, representation of character and idiosyncratic features. An artistic portrait will seek to look beyond the lens.
Throughout history artists have been drawn to portraiture because of the fascination in which the human face is held. It is the window to the soul.
But portraiture goes beyond mere representation of features. It can embrace culture, clothes, hobbies, achievements, work, ambitions, etc. Portraits can be full length poses, half length poses, poses in various situations and in various atmospheres.
Sometimes the artist determines which ‘face’ will be presented to the world or this may be dictated by the commissioner or sitter. However, in most cases an artist will either consciously or subconsciously influence the pose through the choices made during the process of painting and in their unique style of handling the chosen medium.
Even if a painting has to be created from a distance using the medium of a photograph this doesn’t eliminate the opportunity of presenting a unique portrait of that person to the world. When commissioning a painting from me using photographs I usually require, where possible, additional, supporting photographs and a brief biography to help me gain an insight into the character of my sitter. You may choose to select a preferred pose or leave the choice to my discretion.
Prices vary according to size and medium. A guide list is given here for commissions via postal or internet photographs. Personal sittings are also available but will need to be discussed on an individual basis.
- Approx 8 x 12inches Watercolour mounted but unframed from £150 inc p&p within mainland UK.
- Approx 12 x 10 Oil on canvas supplied rolled and unframed from £180 inc P&P within mainland UK.
- Approx 12 x 10 Oil on board supplied flat packed from £190 inc P&P within mainland UK.
- Approx 12 x 10 Oil on canvas supplied on stretchers from £180 plus P&P at cost.
Delivery wordwide is available, please email for an estimated cost.
Estimated delivery time will be given at time of commission / quote.
For other sizes or to arrange a personal sitting please contact me.