Portraits

‘Portraiture is empowering and intriguing – there’s nothing quite like it in the world of painting’

The experience of painting a portrait can be hugely rewarding, with the rapport between sitter and artist becoming intimate and unique. The level of attention given to “catching a likeness” is heightened by the sensitivity and freedom of expression in her relatively academic and representational approach to painting portraits.

I am available for commissioned portraits, and have the freedom to travel if necessary. I went on a trip to Barbados, where I have painted several commissioned portraits. The actual process of painting a portrait normally takes up to five or six sittings, each lasting 2-3 hours (with breaks!) I prefer the portrait to be a journey of discovery; the expression of the sitter coming to life through her brushstrokes, as the rapport and relationship grows.

I like to maintain a flexible approach. Painting in oil lends itself to great versatility, and therefore a portrait can be kept active for a long period of time in between sittings (even a few months). Equally, a portrait can be completed within 10 days if one really goes for it! Almost all of the painting is done in real time, rather than from memory or photos, this enables me to reveal a person’s true nature through the painting.