Ruth

Commissioning a Painting

Portrait commissions are one of the things I most enjoy doing. It is always fascinating to spend time with a portrait sitter and try to capture in paint, in what may need to be a very short time, some essence of their personality.

Despite often using photography for reference I much prefer to paint from life as I do for my self-portraits. The animation of the sitter, the constant minute facial movements and changes in expression are nuances impossible to capture in single image photography, but play a large part in the success of a good painted portrait.

I have exhibited portraits at the BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery and with the Royal Society of Portrait Painters at their annual exhibition in London. I also have a portrait in the collection of Tom Phillips RA. an Honourary member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, and in private collections as far apart as Japan, France and the USA

Commissioning a portrait can be quite daunting. It is important to think through carefully what you, the sitter, want or expect from the experience and to discuss this thoroughly with the artist. I often find it useful to meet the subject first and get to know them and their ideas a lttle before work starts in the studio or in the person's home.

Portrait commissions can be executed here in my studio in this beautiful part of the south of France or I can travel to you. If you would like to discuss the possibility of commissioning a painting please email me or telephone me on +33 490127940.