Commissioned Portraits

I’ve been painting portraits for as long as I can remember — well before art school. People’s faces fascinate me more and more, and I’m never happier than when translating what I see onto canvas!

I work in oils on canvas, using both brushes and palette knives to create the feeling, through textures and energy, that I’m after.

My aim is always to capture the spirit of the person — not just an external likeness, but something of who they truly are. Of course, a likeness matters, but not a photographic one… you might as well keep the photo!

How the Commission Process Works

To begin, it helps if you can let me know how many people you’d like in the portrait, and whether the sitter is available for a photoshoot or lives too far away.

If the portrait is a surprise gift, or of someone no longer with us, I can happily work from good-quality photographs instead.

 

Planning and Size

It’s also useful to have an idea of the size you’d like. I work on canvases ranging from 8″ × 10″ to 30″ × 36″, and I can tailor the work to suit your needs and budget. Because every commission is personal, we’ll discuss what feels right before anything begins.

Meeting the Sitter

Whenever possible, I love to meet the sitter in person. Spending a little time together helps me get to know them and capture their natural essence. During the session, I take reference photos and make a few quick sketches. After that, I complete the final painting back in my studio.

 

Materials and Style

All portraits are painted in oils. I usually use brushes for smaller works and palette knives for larger, more expressive pieces. However, if you prefer a softer brush-painted style — for example, an oil sketch — that’s no problem at all.

 

Reference Photos

Whenever I can, I like to take my own reference photos. This allows me to capture natural light, colour and a true sense of character.
But I understand every situation is unique, so I’m also happy to work from existing photographs.
Just send me any clear, in-focus images you have, and I’ll advise on what’s possible — and how we can create a beautiful result within your budget.

Pricing & Commissions

Portrait prices vary depending on the size and detail of the painting. Because every portrait is different, there’s a higher charge if you’d like more than one person included. If a photoshoot is needed, I also include travel costs in the overall price.

How to Get a Quote

Every commission is unique, so please get in touch to share your ideas. Once I understand what you’d like, I can prepare a personalised quote that reflects your needs and budget. This process helps us both plan clearly and ensures there are no surprises later.

Example Prices

  • A small head-and-shoulders oil sketch, painted from a good-quality photograph (8” × 10”) with brushes, starts at £250.

  • Larger head-and-shoulders portraits (20″ x 24″), painted with palette knives, are usually around £1,200 or for a couple,£2000, but this can be discussed.

  • Family or group portraits are individually priced, up to around £3,000, depending on the number of sitters.

Because each piece is tailored, these examples simply act as a guide.

Flexible Options

I’m happy to work within a range of budgets, as everything is scalable. For example, you might choose an expressive oil sketch at an accessible price, or a larger, richly layered work with more depth and detail. Both can show what’s important in different ways.

Payment & Sizes

I take a 50% non-refundable deposit when the commission begins, and the balance is due once the painting is complete. This keeps the process straightforward for both of us.

Typical canvas sizes include 8” × 10”, 12” × 16”, 16” × 20”, 20” × 24”, and 24” × 36”. Square paintings are also possible, so there’s plenty of flexibility.

Yes, definitely, I am very happy to paint families, couples or groups of people.

The best way to arrange the commission is to contact me and give me a rough idea of what you would like. We can then discuss it, running through all the options and we can even arrange a time to talk on the phone if that’s easier. 
I look forward to hearing from you!

This double portrait Oil Sketch was commissioned in 2025. It is painted in oils on canvas using brushes. It is 24″ x 16″

This double portrait Oil Sketch was commissioned in 2025. It now lives in Devon. It is 20″ x 16″ and is painted in oils on canvas using brushes.

This is a small oil sketch on canvas, now living in Hastings
12″ x 16″, painted w/ brushes 2025

This Commission was completed in Sept 2024.
It now lives in Hastings, UK.
It is 20″ x 24″, oil on canvas, painted with palette knives

This commissioned portrait was completed in 2023.
I met her at a wedding :-)​. It is now in Essex, UK
​It is 12″ x 16″ oil on canvas, painted with palette knives​​.

Review: “The last three years have held some big challenges … Tessa, you have reminded me of the light behind my eyes and I can see how far I’ve come along this path when I look at this painting in a way that I can’t when I look in the mirror.
So thank you, dear Tessa, for capturing my spirit and helping me to see things in a bigger way through the medium of paint and your inspirational creativity!’

This was commissioned at the beginning of 2024, of my client’s favourite aunt who died many years ago. So it was painted from a small black and white photo (I prefer to meet my clients, but can also paint from photos). It now lives in Canada.
It is 12″ x 16″, oil on canvas, painted with palette knives.

Review: “This painting has been quite a journey and I so appreciate your patience and perseverance striving to have me be happy with it. Underneath, for me, was a fear that I wouldn’t be able to connect with it, which came from not really remembering her face. What I am so thrilled about is you have captured that twinkle in her eyes that I do remember, when she came to visit and made special time to spend with me when I was very young. This painting is a reflection of those happy times”. 

This was a 2023 commission of my client’s grandchildren.
​A gift to her son who lives in Europe.
It’s 20″ x 16″ oil on canvas​, painted w/ palette knives

This client discovered after I had finished this painting, that her mother had coincidentally also had a portrait painted of her when she was the exact same age – also a profile with her hair up!
​This is 24″ x 20″ oil on canvas, painted w/ palette knives

I met this lovely girl at a party and she commissioned a portrait!
​It is 20″ x 16″ oil on canvas​
​Painted w/ palette knives​

​This commission was sent to my client’s father
in Australia​
It’s 24″ x 20″ oil on canvas, painted w/ palette knives

A commissioned painting of Col. ADF Hodson
​Oil on Board 12″ x 18″, painted w/ brushes

If you'd like to talk to me about a possible commissioned portrait of yourself, or a loved one, contact me here:

This painting was commissioned to remind my client of his favourite days at the races.
​Oil on canvas 24″ x 36″, painted w/brushes