There are few moments in life as precious and fleeting as childhood. A commissioned portrait is more than a likeness; it creates a family heirloom that will be treasured through the generations.
I am an Oxford-based portrait artist specialising in conservation-quality graphite portraits of children, from infancy to the threshold of adulthood. I work with families across the UK and internationally, creating hand drawn portraits that capture not only a child's appearance but their very essence and spirit.
Each portrait is drawn entirely by hand, using classical techniques and archival materials carefully selected for their longevity.
Why families commission this work
Families commission portraits for many reasons:
- to celebrate a precious child
- to honour a particular chapter of childhood or early adolescence
- to capture a beautiful moment in time between siblings
- as gifts from or to parents and grandparents
- to establish or continue family traditions of portraiture
The commissioning process
I accept a limited number of commissions each month. To begin, please join my private commission list via my website or contact me by email at emma@emmaflower.com. I will be in touch with you to discuss your requirements including sizes, subjects and timings. You can find more information about my prices and the commissioning process on this website.
I work from reference photographs and will provide you with guidance on how to choose an image that will translate beautifully into graphite.
Each portrait is drawn entirely by hand over an extended period of focused studio time, allowing for careful refinement and attention to detail.
I offer a professional framing service with a curated range of frames chosen to complement graphite.
If you are local, your work can be collected from my studio. I can arrange insured postage for those living further afield.
Location and availability
I am based in North Oxford and regularly work with families throughout Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds. I also accept commissions from clients across the UK and internationally.
Because of the time-intensive nature of each portrait, commissions are accepted on a limited, scheduled basis, with lead times of several weeks.
