Hello and welcome to my website, I hope you find it interesting and enjoyable.
Having painted portraits - from the free flowing, graceful lines of horses; and the characterful faces of much loved family pets; to the many interesting people whose portraits I have painted – all have a special place in our lives, hearts and memories. I thoroughly enjoy the challenge and I find it wonderful to see the faces of delighted clients, of which happily there have been many!
Precious memories can be immortalised in a sensitive, painterly portrait, captured forever in a work of art.
Born in Leicester where I still live and work, I trained as a typographer (design, calligraphy and artwork) and have been fortunate enough to work in a creative capacity for the last 30 years; firstly in the print industry and for the last 20 years painting portraits along with the cleaning and restoration of oil paintings and frames, the latter work I do for a Leicester based art dealer, working from my studio at home.
One aspect of my work that gives me particular satisfaction are the number of clients who return, some on numerous occasions, for a painting of a new addition to the house or stables to hang alongside a treasured family favourite.
If you would like to speak to me about any aspect of my work please go to the contact page.
Many thanks for considering me to paint your special portrait. All you have to do is supply me with good quality photographs that reflect the character of the subject. These can be colour or black and white, digital or prints. Digital photographs can be e-mailed to us or sent to us on disc.
If you do not have any photographs that are suitable we would be happy to arrange a photo session with you.
Photo Tips
The subject should be sufficiently large in the photograph so as to allow me to see clear detail; with pets they are best taken at eye level in natural light, but not too sunny, and preferably without flash which can create very harsh shadows. A series of photographs can also be very helpful. If you have doubts about the quality of any photographs you have I would be happy to look at these and advise whether there is sufficient detail to undertake a painting from them. I will always endeavour to work with the photographs that you have available. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact either myself or Graham my partner and we shall be happy to advise.
Time Scale
It is appreciated that if the painting is required as a gift for a specific date, this can usually be arranged. However, please remember that the Christmas period can be very busy.
Materials
Quality materials are used to create all paintings and drawings. Oils are painted on stretched canvas, standard or box (the latter are intended to be hung without a frame); watercolour are painted on heavyweight 200lb paper; pastels are painted on coloured Ingres paper and pencil or graphite is drawn on smooth watercolour paper. All works on paper are finished with acid free double mounts.
Framing is available upon request.
Gift Vouchers
An increasingly popular, quick and easy solution to present buying which either allows the buyer or recipient to choose the subject(s) to be painted and at a time convenient to them.
A gift for the future and to look forward to!
Vouchers can be purchased either as full or part payment towards a painting or drawing. They are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. A message can be added and the voucher either posted or e-mailed to any address. Please phone or e-mail for details.
Testimonials
Below are some of my more recent testimonials, including one from a lady who has three of my paintings and one very old oil painting that I have restored.
N.B. For the sake of privacy I have only shown the initials of the people concerned.
J & P C. Leicester
“This is just to say a big thank you for the painting that you did for us of our boxer Kerry. We have shown it to our parents who remarked how wonderful the colours were and how much it looked like her. In fact it was like looking at her when she was alive. We have put it up on our wall and her eyes seem to follow us every time we move! It was such a lovely surprise, it will give us years of pleasure. We will be in touch with you again at a later date.”
Yours J & P
K.S. Cheshire
“My sincere thanks for such a wonderful portrait of Splash and also for delivering it in person. As you can imagine, it was the best surprise Vicky could have wished for, she was in floods of tears when she saw it. She was pointing out all the features which she remembered and you had managed to capture. Ie The veins in her face, part of her mane which fell on the wrong side etc. Vicky could not have received a more special present, a permanent reminder of her beloved pony which now has pride of place on our living room wall.
I think the next one will be a portrait of Billy when I manage to take the right picture!
Vicky is eagerly awaiting the start of the Team Chasing season in 3 weeks time when perhaps we will see you at the Fernie.” Kindest regards K.S.
C.O. Leicester
“I am writing to thank you for the wonderful painting of Blackie.
My husband was very surprised and taken aback when he first saw it on Christmas morning; he was “over the moon”. We all agree, family and friends, that you have really captured Blackie as he was, and his picture now hangs in a prominent place in our lounge. Thank you once again.”
C.O.
B.W. Somerset
First Painting 2003
“Thank you once again for the wonderful painting of the pointers and also for restoring the painting of the pugs.
I am quite thrilled with both and would love you to do a picture of my favourite horse now.”
Sincerely B.
Second Painting 2004
“I can’t even try to tell you how delighted I am with the painting of Nell and Esme. It is far better than my wildest dreams. The likeness of the horses is quite incredible, their heads, their action and you’ve captured their individual characters perfectly. Also the power that they generated is all there in the picture, and somehow the whole picture show us the immense thrill they gave the Welsh Show and the years of excitement they gave me.
I really cannot thank you enough. It brings a lump to my throat every time I look at it! It captures the proudest day of my life.
I shall phone you soon. Thank you once again, Jill, it’s quite perfect.”
Kindest regards B.
Third Painting 2007
“Thank you so much for the wonderful painting of a rather beautiful Welsh Cob! I do have one very like your painting – its very special.
I do hope that you will be able to paint Bugsy for B.H. – he’s very beautiful.”
Thanks you again B.