Commission examples
A few examples of what you are likely to receive if you order a commission from me. Please note I would not publish your commissioned artwork on these pages unless you have given me your permission.
I can use any medium for any subject, but my recommendations are:-
Watercolour for a looser style and perhaps less detail. I use high quality paints with high pigment content on acid free paper. Horse portraits in watercolour are particularly recommended.
Graphite Pencil for highly detailed work. Brilliant for either smooth delicate skin tones or a more 'lived in' face. Especially good for detailing fur or long hair. I use Bristol papers which have an ultra smooth, hard and bright white surface enabling immense detail as well as smooth washes where needed.
Coloured Pencil Again good for highly detailed work, particularly pet portraits. Not so great for human portraits in my opinion. I usePrismacolor pencils on mountboard for these which has enough tooth for laying down intense colours and yet gives the facility for blending. Also is acid free for longevity.
New Year
As you can see from this portrait, using watercolour the painting has a much looser, more lively feel about it yet still achieves a good likeness. I don't usually do backgrounds like this but in this case it was requested.
The Long and Short Of It
I normally use a semi-abstract, texture effect background which concentrates the attention on the subject better, as in this case.
Wait 'Till Your Father Gets Home
This pet portrait is done with coloured pencil on mountboard. As you can see the level of realism is quite striking. (This particular painting was not a commission, but a good example of the sort of pet portrait you can have with coloured pencil).
Edith Mary
This pencil portrait done on Bristol board measures 12 x 8 inches. The reference picture was very old, quite small and faded but a lovely pose nevertheless. I think this result is very pleasing.
Larger Than Life
Here's Murphy again done in graphite pencil, great for hairy beasts like him, it looks like you could reach in and stroke him. This piece was done life size on Stonehenge paper, about 43 x 25 inches (not for the faint hearted)
Sam
A little Long Haired Jack Russell Terrier named Sam. An excellent reference photograph has enabled me to make a pretty good job of this pencil portrait (even though I say so myself) About A4 size on Bristol board.
