Have you ever scrolled through your phone's photo gallery and thought, "There are 4,327 photos of my loved ones here, and yet none of them quite capture their essence"?
I certainly have. That's where the magic of an oil portrait comes in – a tangible, lasting celebration of a person that goes beyond mere likeness.
Why Choose an Oil Painting on Canvas?
Oil painting has survived as the gold standard of portraiture for centuries, and not just because Rembrandt didn't have access to Photoshop. There's something rather magical about oil paint that simply can't be replicated:
Depth and dimension:
Unlike digital prints or watercolours, oil paintings have actual physical texture. The paint can be built up in layers, creating a three-dimensional quality that makes your Uncle Bob look like he might actually step out of the frame (whether that's desirable is entirely your call).
Luminosity:
Oil paint has a particular way of capturing and reflecting light that makes subjects appear to glow from within.
I'm particularly obsessed with Rembrandt's approach to light – the way he could make a simple face emerge dramatically from shadow, as though the sitter were illuminated by their own inner brilliance. As a medium, oil painting is uniquely suitable for this,
Longevity:
While your latest Instagram post will eventually disappear into the digital ether, oil paintings last for centuries. The National Gallery is full of oil portraits of people who lived hundreds of years ago, looking as fresh as if they'd just popped out for a coffee. Your great-great-grandchildren could be admiring your portrait long after we're all gone.
That Special Presence of the Oil Portrait:
An oil portrait has a certain gravitas and presence that digital images simply don't. It's a of piece of art that transforms a wall, commands attention, and becomes a focal point of any room. Unlike cheaper alternatives, it will stay with your family across generations, bringing joy and satisfaction to everyone!
What I Try to Capture as a portrait artist
When I paint someone, I'm not simply trying to create a photographic replica – we have cameras for that, and they're much faster. While accurate likeness is very important, what I'm after is something deeper: the essence of an individual.
A collector once told me: "It's especially poignant to look at a posthumous portrait, and feel, even if only for a split second, that the person is back there in the room with you."
That's the difference between a photograph and a portrait. A photograph captures a millisecond, perhaps a moment in time and that can be lovely. A portrait painter, however, captures a person.
How to Create a Stunning Portrait - The Eyes are Windows to the Soul
The Eyes are not just windows to the soul; they're the make-or-break element of any oil on canvas portrait. Get the eyes wrong, and the finished portrait will just feel off, like encountering someone you've known for years but they're suddenly speaking with a different accent.
I spend an inordinate amount of time on eyes, building up layers of paint to capture their depth and translucency. It's a bit like being an eye surgeon, but with fewer qualifications and more turpentine.
"Can You Paint from Photos, or Do I Need to Sit Still for 47 Hours?
Good news! While Rembrandt's subjects had to endure countless hours of sitting still (imagine trying not to check your phone for that long), modern portrait artists like myself can work from photographs. Not sure where I got the number 47 from, sounded right somehow...
That said, meeting in person adds something special to the process. It allows me to see how you move, how light plays across your features, and how your expression changes when you're telling a story you love. It helps me capture the "you-ness" of you.
I offer several options:
* In-person sitting: Ideal if you're local to London. Don't worry – I only need a few hours, not weeks of your life.
* Video consultation: Perfect for distant clients. We'll chat via video call, which gives me a chance to see you in motion and get a sense of your personality.
* Photos only: If you're planning the portrait as a surprise gift (what a thoughtful idea), high-quality photos work wonderfully. Send along some video if possible – it helps enormously to see the person animated.
The "It's a Surprise" Scenario
If you're planning a surprise portrait from a photograph, here's what helps:
Recent, high-resolution photos from various angles
Videos if possible (even casual mobile phone clips)
Stories about the person – what makes them light up, what they love
Details about their personality that you'd like to see reflected
The Process of Portrait Painting: From Blank Canvas to "Oh My Goodness, That's Me!"
The journey to commission a portrait:
1. Consultation: We discuss your vision, preferences, size, composition, and all the practical bits, such as tonality, using eco-friendly oil paints, canvases or panels.
2. Reference gathering: Photos, videos, and/or sittings.
3. Preliminary sketches: I'll create initial compositions for your approval.
4. The painting begins: Layer by layer, the portrait emerges. I start to gradually build up colour and texture of your oil portrait painting.
5. Progress updates: I'll send you images as the work develops.
6. Finishing touches and varnishing*: Once complete and dry, the finished painting is varnished for protection.
7. Delivery and hanging advice: Your new portrait arrives, ready to take pride of place.
* It is possible to deliver an oil painting prior to the final varnish coat and return it to the studio for the final varnish application once it is completely dry (6 months).
The entire process can take up to half a year, so if want to commission a portrait in oil, please plan a few months in advance.
Commission a portrait
If you're considering commissioning a portrait, I'd love to hear from you. Whether it's for yourself, a family member or your best friend, an oil portrait is a gift that genuinely lasts a lifetime.
After all, in an age where we're drowning in digital images, there's something profoundly special about a portrait created by human hands, one careful brushstroke at a time. It will be treasured for years to come!
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