I am always delighted to draw any subjects that are precious to you - partners, parents, grandparents, pets, homes - I’ve even been commissioned to draw a beloved tree!

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch here.

If you would like to commission portraits of a number of siblings, you can commission a group portrait or individual drawings of each child.

One point to consider is whether you would like the family portraits to be passed down through the generations and, if so, who would inherit the picture if it is of a group. You may prefer each child to inherit their own picture.

You will also want to think about where the picture(s) will be hung. A line of individual portraits can look very effective on a large wall or in a hallway. Individual portraits can also be hung separately in each child's bedroom, for example. If you have a single space in mind for your picture, a group portrait may be more appropriate.

Most importantly, it needs to be a picture you love! 

However, in order to produce a high quality drawing, choosing the right reference photo is important. Here are some pointers to help you select the perfect photo:

Image quality

To create a detailed and accurate portrait, I need to work from a sharp, high-resolution image. Please avoid blurry, grainy, or low-light photos, as they make it difficult to capture the finer features of the face.

Zoom in on the photo before sending it — if you can’t see the detail clearly, I won’t be able to either.

If I’ll be enlarging the face significantly, the source image needs to hold up well when magnified.

Lighting

Lighting plays a key role in the overall look of an image. You may wish to avoid photos where the light source is underneath the face - this tends to be unflattering. Be mindful of harsh shadows that distort or overemphasise facial features (e.g. the nose). 

Natural daylight generally produces the best quality images. 

Eyes & Gaze

Would you like the subject to be looking directly at the viewer? The is no right answer to this question - it comes down to your preference.

While it is possible to make slight adjustments to the direction of the eyes if a subject is looking just past the camera, even tiny changes can subtly alter a person’s likeness. For best results, choose a photo where the subject is already looking straight at the camera if that’s the look you want.

Angle of the Face

Check whether the angle of the head in your chosen photo works well on its own — especially if it will be a head-and-shoulders portrait.

For example, if the face is heavily tilted or cropped, it may be harder to compose a balanced final piece.

Background

My standard portrait prices do not include a background. However, you can commission a background separately.

This may be necessary if the background contains important context or affects the posture of subject (e.g. the subject is leaning on something that needs to be referenced).

I usually charge around £50-£100 to include a background. If it is exceptionally detailed, I may charge more and will let you know in advance if so.

I can sometimes make tiny adjustments that are unlikely to change the face of the subject (e.g. removing a spot or an errant hair) but I won't be able to make substantive changes (e.g. the angle of the face or lighting, or superimposing eyes from one photo onto another).

If you are happy to come to my studio in Oxford, I can photograph the subject for you. If your chosen subject is a child or an animal, the outcome may depend on their mood. As a mother of three young children, I get it! Although capturing the right picture can be quick, I allow up to an hour for these sessions.

If you would like me to do a little portrait session for you, contact me to arrange a convenient time. We can discuss your hopes for the reference photo.

I charge £50 for the session, payable in advance. If you arrive and it's clear your child isn't in the mood (or baby is napping!) and you want to come back a second time, I'm happy to waive the fee and offer you a second session at no extra charge.

I usually attempt a number of shots, so you have some options to choose from. If you want to purchase any of the images as photographs, I charge £10 per print or can email you the digital images at £5 each.

There is no obligation to use a session photo as your reference photo if it is not quite right - so much depends on how amenable the subject is to having their photo taken.

I am passionate about working in a way that puts minimal strain on the environment. Being an artist already helps with that, as my practices are not polluting or large-scale.

The paper I work with the most is Arches Aquarelle Hot Pressed Sheets (300gsm) which is made of 100% cotton fibre. It is resistant to mould, contains no optical brightener additives and is acid free so is not susceptible to yellowing over time. It therefore has the archival quality which is so important for artwork which will be treasured for not just your lifetime, but that of future generations. From an environmental perspective, Arches has received a certification for its environmentally responsible practices in manufacturing its paper.

I primarily use Faber-Castell pencils as they perform exceptionally well. Their wood casings come from managed forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

I am mindful of the environment in my packaging choices and use biodegradable materials wherever possible.

I usually complete a commission within a couple of weeks (excluding postage times), depending on the length of my waiting list (I can give more specific timings when you commission me).

If your commission is more urgent (e.g. for an imminent birthday) I can usually pull out all the stops to get it done for you, but please do discuss this with me in advance as it will depend on the urgency of other work I'm doing at the time and whether it is possible to fit you in. In certain cases, I may have to charge more for very urgent work (e.g. if I need to obtain additional paid childcare or work outside of normal working hours) but I will let you know in advance if this is likely to be the case.

If you want to commission a piece for Christmas, please give me as much notice as possible to avoid disappointment.

Yes, as I work from photographs, I can send your portrait anywhere in the world! International postage and any additional fees (e.g. customs and licence fees) will need to be covered by you.

Let me know which country you are in and I can provide you with an estimate for postage costs and fees.

I accept payment by bank transfer and cheque. I will provide you with an invoice.