FAMILY PORTRAIT PAINTING

At the beginning of this commission, the client presented me with a pretty poor quality image; the face of the little boy on the left was almost completely obscured by the book, there was distortion in the eyes caused by flash photography and overall the image was blurry. But inspite of all that, I was instantly captivated by the idea of painting this grandfather reading to his little grandsons. What a lovely image of love and shared experience between the generations!

With the aid of additional separate photos of the subjects sent to me by the client, I was slowly able to piece together the visual information I needed to make the desired composition. I am so glad that together we persevered and created a unique keepsake for this special family to enjoy for generations to come.

HOW TO COMMISSION A PAINTING

Firstly I invite you to a FREE consultation with me without any obligation.  You are welcome to email me sending photos of your loved-ones, favourite landscapes, family and even your house, for me to assess, advise and discuss the picture you would like me to paint in line with your budget. 

Personal contact between client and myself is a vital part of my process, because I like to learn as much as possible about the subjects I paint. 

Contact is on-going as you will find work-in-progress images popping into your inbox regularly, so you are always aware of how your commission is developing and can offer feedback. Your painting becomes a personal collaboration between you and the artist, myself Bee Skelton. And your painting will only be shipped to you when it has received your full approval. 

I use artist quality oils or acrylic paints.  Both are fabulous, but you need to know that they have different characteristics. Acrylic paint dries almost immediately, whereas oil paint takes much longer and time needs to be allowed after a painting is completed for it to dry before safe to ship. Therefore if you need your painting very quickly, please let me know and I may recommend using acrylics.

I work on high quality primed stretched canvases. The painting will continue on the sides of the canvas so the portrait can be displayed with or without frame as you wish.  (If requested, board and loose canvas options are also available). Your painting will be signed BEE on the front and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the artist, myself Bee Skelton.


As an artist I'm inspired by the affection my clients have for the subjects they commission me to paint. Whether it's their child, partner, parent, family pet, home or a favourite place, I find love infectious and some how it gets right into the paint.

Take a look at just some of the paintings I have already painted for happy clients. Then email me and let's talk.

I will paint a subject of your choosing; children, grandchild, wife, husband, mother, father, grandparents, any animal or pet, your house or a favourite landscape. The choice is yours. All I need are good photographs to work from.  I accept Paypal as it's a proven safe way to send money online. 

I work to your exact requirements of size and budget.  Commissioning a custom painting costs less than you might think and I think you will be surprised how well what you want can be made to fit your budget. Your satisfaction is guaranteed, because in the very unlikely event that you are not completely thrilled with my work (so far all my clients have been delighted) I will keep the painting to add to my portfolio and happily give you a full refund.

At the start you pay only 50% of the total price and the final 50% balance on completion only after you have seen quality images and given your full approval. The painting will then be shipped to you FREE of additional charges Worldwide.

When you pay for your order and send me photos, your commission is fixed in sequence with others outstanding at the time, and your portrait will be completed in that order.  If you have a deadline date it is important you let me know as soon as possible and I will move heaven and earth as well as staying up all night to get your painting completed and with you in good time.

Here's what you do:

STEP 1:
Email me photos without obligation for me to assess, advise, and together discuss your requirements. If the painting is needed for a particular date, please let me know as early as possible.

Examples of just some of the sizes available, if you don't see the size you want, please ask:

PAINTINGS ON CANVAS:
3 x 4 in approx (8 x 10 cm)
4 x 5 in approx (10 x 13 cm)
5 x 7 in approx (13 x 18 cm)
6 x 6 in approx (15 x 15 cm)
6 x 8 in approx (15 x 20 cm)
8 x 8 in approx (20 x 20 cm)
8 x 10 in approx (20 x 24 cm)
10 x 12 in approx (24 x 30 cm) 
10 x 14 in approx (24 x 3 5 cm)
12 x 12 in approx (30 x 30 cm)
12 x 16 in approx (30 x 40 cm)
16 x 16 in approx (40 x 40 cm)
16 x 20 in approx (40 x 50 cm)
20 x 20 in approx (50 x 50 cm)
20 x 24 in approx (50 x 60 cm)
24 x 24 in approx (60 x 60 cm)
24 x 30 in approx (60 x 75 cm)
28 x 28 in approx (70 x 70 cm)
30 x 30 in approx (75 x 75 cm)


STEP 2:
After payment, before I begin work, I shall need your final selection of photo images, preferably more than one. For portraits please choose high quality photos that are taken in close-up, have a facial expression you love and typical of the subject, especially with a clear view of the eyes. Shots taken in daylight are best please.  No flash.

For landscapes and outdoor scenes the best photos to work with are often those taken in early morning or late afternoon when shadows are long and colours interestingly varied.

STEP 3:
Details will be discussed with you at every stage but in the main you can sit back and enjoy the work-in-progress images that will drop into your inbox from start to completion of your painting.  Your feedback is always welcomed.

STEP 4:
An image of your finished painting will be emailed to you and your painting will not be shipped to you until it has your full approval. In the unlikely event that you are not completely thrilled (so far all my clients have been delighted) I will keep the painting to add to my portfolio and happily give you a full refund.

SHIPPING and HANDLING
The artwork will be carefully protected and packaged, and sent anywhere in the World FREE of additional charge with Tracking number, signed for on delivery.

LONG-HAIRED DACHSHUND original portrait painting

Long-haired Dachshund

Acrylic on canvas

by Bee Skelton

12 x 12 inch (30 x 30 cms approx)
SOLD

Long-haired Dachshund - portrait painting work in progress 4

Still a ways to go. In the next session I will sort out the background and then I can begin pulling it all together.

Long-haired Dachhund - Portrait painting work in progress 3

Long-haired Dachshund - Portrait painting, work in progress 2.

In this second session, I went a bit further with establishing the tones, but still not far enough. I normally leave eye detail until quite near the end, but I became fascinated with Ambrosius expression and couldn't stop. More warm colour and contrast to be added to his coat etc next time.

Long-haired Dachshund - Portrait Commission. Work in progress 1.

Meet Ambrosius; he's a much loved long-haired Dachshund and his portrait has been commissioned as a gift for a member of his family.

Originally the portrait was to be head and shoulders, but I realised on this 12 x 12in canvas, that without anything else to relate to, the scale gave the impression that Ambrosius was a BIG dog. I really felt the need to show all of him, particularly those characteristic little legs. Fortunately the client agreed.

Apparently, Ambrosious has a 'cheeky' personality, so chose this composition where his face is pushing forward and his body recedes.

Regular visitors will recognise the first stages of the process, where I roughly block in the background and loosely fix what goes where. In the next session I'll begin to add layers as I develop the palette and tonal values. A long way to go.

GRACIE portrait painting Work in Progress 3

SOLD

Gracie has come alive now her eyes are in place.

Now on way to Gracie's owner in Kansas City, USA. Click here to see completed painting at Studio Bee Gallery.

LITTLE ANGEL commission portrait on canvas

Here is Little Angel finished and ready to go to his Mum. I feel it was worth the struggle and am as happy with it as I can be ... having had to use my imagination and improvise more than I would normally like to on a portrait. Only his Mum will know how true it is and I hope she is pleased when she sees it properly for the first time.

LITTLE ANGEL work in progress 3

Today everything was re-worked apart from the background, which I'll get to eventually. I tried really hard to read his eye expression, but don't know how much was real and how much I've imagined. I'll continue to invent a light coloured top in the next session and increase shadows on one side ... too flat just now. Even when I've taken this as far as I think I can, only 'Little Angel's' Mum will know if it's far enough.

I am struggling with this ... not coming easily at all. A mixture of reasons ...limited information from the black and white image plus I'm wrecked knowing this little sweetheart is with the angels.

Lots to do before I reach any kind of a breakthrough. I will work on the mouth particularly during the next session plus everywhere else. More prayer needed ... I can't do this on my own.

I feel this portrait will probably be one of the trickiest I've attempted so far. Not just technically but emotionally also. It's so important to this little boy's Mum ... I just hope I can do it.

I'm working from a tiny blurry black and white photo taken over 30 years ago. I've scanned the photo and enlarged it to try to pick out what information I can and any further inspiration will come through prayer. As normal I've started off by loosely laying down some values to fix what goes where. The details around the lower lip are difficult to interpret so I'm waiting to hear back from Mum with some information.

After this portrait I feel the stirrings of needing a change. Hmmm .... it's that time of year when I get the yen to paint outdoors and if the breeze calms a little, I plan to head for the sea.

CYPRUS POODLE portrait

I painted this little poppet yesterday. She's called 'Honey' and came to stay while her Mum was away. It's on stretched canvas and may be the last acrylic I will use for a little while.

I'm looking forward to trying some of the quick drying Winsor & Newton Griffin Alkyd oil paints and this morning I'm picking up a stack of cut-to-size masonite hardboard to work some still lifes. I love the smooth surface and chunkiness of the MDF I've been using recently. But many of my paintings get shipped abroad and the weight of it sadly bumps up the shipping costs :(

Portrait commission BEAUTIFUL SMILE work in progress 5

Managed to have a good solid session on this today and at last I feel I'm getting there. Time to get comments from client before making final adjustments and amendments.
Completed painting can be seen in Studio Bee Gallery.

Portrait commission BEAUTIFUL SMILE work in progress 4

This session I adjusted the shape of the face, amended some skin tones/shadows and added more eye and lip detail. Next session I will adjust the shape of the top lip and nose.

Portrait commission BEAUTIFUL SMILE work in progress 3

Portrait commission BEAUTIFUL SMILE work in progress 2

Just a little more loosely placed light and shade to add, and then I shall start the detailed work. Several layers of glazing, refining, adjusting and amending as I go, until in the end, all being well, a likeness should appear.

Commissioned portrait BEAUTIFUL SMILE work in progress 1

The very early stage of a new portrait. I fixed where everything goes with pencil and laid down a few tonal values. My people paintings are normally on rectangular portrait orientated canvases, but the shape of this little girl's head with hair seemed to lend itself to a square shape. The client, who is the little girl's Granny gave me the freedom to decide ... so 12 x 12 in is how it will be.

Commissioned Portrait painting TWO DOGS Final Version

ALLEY & CHIP

25cm x 35 cm

(10in x 14in approx)

Acrylic painting on canvas.

SOLD

Commissioned Portrait TWO DOGS Work in Progress 3

Hmmm ... not sure whether the tail will stay or not.