Portraits

Commissions – Portraits of people

Whether it's a family member or friend, my charcoal and graphite commissions are a great way to celebrate those close to you.

I combine loose, expressive strokes with detailed realism to create portraits that capture personality as well as likeness.

Perfect for gifts for birthdays, anniversaries or family heirlooms.

Basil's wife wanted a portrait that expressed his very deep and inherent kindness. The work is charcoal and pastel on 200 gram paper.

Graphite pencil on paper allows for smaller works and finer detail.

My portraits combine very detailed photorealism especially around the eyes and face with looser graphic elements. My aim is to provide you with a unique artwork not a copy of a photo.

I can combine a portrait with birds or animals that are special to the person. More complex artworks such as the one shown require more time and therefore need to be individually priced.

How to Order a Portrait Commission

The first step is to contact me, and we can have a conversation—over the phone or by email—about what you’re looking for, including your preferred size and whether you’d like the portrait in charcoal (looser and ideal for larger works) or graphic pencil (great for fine detail and smaller pieces).

After our initial chat, you would send me:

several photos to choose from. It’s best to choose a sharp image taken in natural lighting (not a flash) and at high resolution. Close-up shots with good detail in the eyes work best, as they help me capture expression and personality. If you do not have any photos suitable I am a trained photographer and we can arrange for me to take photos of the subject at an agreed price. You would keep all of the shots taken.
a short description of what you’d like or anything you want me to know about the person.
I would then provide a final price for the work and when you could expect it to be completed. If you want to go ahead I would invoice you for 30% of the cost in advance. I will provide you with a mock up of the portrait to check you are happy with the direction of the work and then
I will send you a photo of the finished work to check if there are minor changes you would like. You would pay the remainder of the cost and the finished artwork would be sent to you.

Pricing

Pricing varies depending on the size and complexity of the image. I will provide you with a quote after we have discussed the commission and you have provided the photos. However the table below gives you indicative sizes and prices. Postage within NZ is included in the price. The portrait will be posted rolled in a cardboard cylinder.

Small ( best for single portraits especially head and shoulders and in graphite)

30cm x 21cm, 30cm x 30cm $480

Medium

40cm x 30cm, 40cm x 40cm $620

Large

50cm x 40cm ,50cm x 50cm $800

60cm x 50cm, 60cm x 60cm $900

Xlarge

70cm x 80cm, 80cm x 80cm $1,150

Framing

Charcoal and graphite portraits need to be framed under glass for protection. It is expensive to post framed works due to the glass so you will receive your portrait in a cardboard cylinder ready to take to a framer. I provide guidance on best options for framing. I can also provide a mat board and backing for your portrait for an additional cost.

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