HOW TO COMMISSION A PORTRAIT

I have around 30 years experience of painting portraits and still find each face as fascinating as any. My dedication to presenting each client with not only a likeness of the subject, but also a strong sense of their personality is something that has meant clients have returned to me year upon year to paint or draw another of their family members. I often find that I am painting cousins or in-laws from clients I worked for years ago. Most of my work comes through word of mouth which is a great testament to my work.

It is always an honour to be commissioned, and I make every single portrait as important as the last - my work is my best advertisement, and my dedication to giving you something your family can love for the rest of your lives and beyond is relentless.

I aim to produce a painting or drawing which, even when worked from a photograph, gives the impression of immediacy, of the subject sitting in front of me, in a mutually comfortable silence, while I watch their minds wander and settle. The expression is important. I aim to capture both an aliveness and a neutral quality. This means that whenever the final painting is looked at, the viewer sees something different daily - any kind of mood can be read into the face. A sense of the life in the person is captured and preserved.

Prices

Please note: Prices are dependent on many factors which we can discuss when you make your initial enquiry. The prices below are a guide.

I have flexible payment options, please do email me for details.

PRICES FOR OIL PORTRAITS:

Please contact me if you wish to discuss any particular size of requirement for a more accurate quote.

Example price: £4000 for 50cmx 60cm - head and shoulders.

PRICES FOR PENCIL DRAWINGS:

Please note, my prices will be changing on 1st December.

£1500 (£1750 from 1st December 2023) for a 50cm x 60cm detailed drawing of head and shoulders.

£650 (£800 from 1st December 2023) for an A4 pencil drawing sketch profile

How it works

Step 1:

The first step is to get in touch by using the contact form.  I need to know your requirements so that I can give you an accurate cost. Let me know which medium you’re interested in and where you are based, how many portraits you require, ages of the subjects etc. Please do ask me any questions you might have, I want to be able to give you a fair price and idea of timings.

Step 2:

Once we have agreed the details of size, medium, subjects and cost, I will then send you a deposit invoice which (once paid) will confirm the commission and put you on the waiting list.   The deposit is 50% and non-refundable. If for any reason you are not happy with the finished painting, then the deposit will go towards any future piece of work you commission or buy from me.

Step 3:

Once the deposit is paid, the next step is to arrange the photography session. For larger drawings and oil portraits, we arrange a mutually convenient time for you to visit my home studio in Earlsfield, South West London, for the photo session - I recommend giving yourself an hour, although it sometimes takes less time. If you cannot get to me for whatever reason, I will come to you for an extra fee. It’s important to me to get a feel for the character and personality of the subject, which is evident in the feedback I receive from clients. When I photograph in person I can ensure that I get all I need from the sitting. Expression, pose, light and most importantly a sense of who it is I will be painting or drawing for the next few weeks/months. If you are further away or abroad, then we need a slightly different process, and I can explain that when you contact me. For small drawings I work from photos you send me which we discuss together. This also works particularly well for long distance situations.

Depending on where you are on my waiting list, and the medium of the piece, I aim to get the portrait to you within a time frame of 1-3 months. Sometimes people need portraits for specific occasions, and in these cases I will do my best to get you the portrait in time. Christmas is usually busy so please do get in touch as far in advance as possible for Christmas delivery.

Step 4:

Completion. Upon completion I send you an email informing you that the work is finished. The final amount is due on the date of proof of delivery if you are abroad, or when you see the final piece, by bank transfer in person when we meet. You can either come to me to collect the portrait, or (depending on where you are based) I will deliver/post the work to you, with additional postal /travel expenses where necessary.

Step 5:

Enjoy your own unique, original piece of art, an heirloom which has captured the face of someone you love in pencil or paint, to be treasured for decades to come.

Thank you, I look forward to meeting you.

please use the form below to enquire about portraits