I offer both oil paintings and pencil drawn portraits. To capture a person’s likeness takes more than just getting their proportions right, so as part of the commission process I like to meet the sitter, or if it is a surprise gift, the person giving it so I can hear a bit about the person I am painting. The initial meeting will be to hear about what you are after and discuss things like time frame, painting/sketch size, dates for taking photos and cost. This meeting can take place in person (my preference), on the phone or on video call.

I paint from photos and so a time will be arranged for me to come and take photos of the portrait sitter. In some cases I can work from a provided photo.

Once I have all the photos and specifications I need, I will then get to work creating your oil portrait. This process will involve charcoal sketches, compositional drawings and of course the final painting. I work using traditional oil techniques. Once the portrait is complete you will receive a photo and any adjustments can be made.

Whilst sketches are much quicker, oil paint takes a few weeks to be dry to touch, but many months to be fully cured at which point it can be varnished. Depending on your time requirements I can give work unvarnished and varnish at a later date.

I am a firm believer in the ability of paint to capture someone’s likeness (looks and personality) beyond that of a photo. And so whilst I do achieve good physical likeness in my portraits, it will never be perfect which I think is the beauty of having a painted portrait done! Please see my previous commissions to see if my style is what you are looking for.