Portrait painting Christmas gift

This painting of a beautiful little girl is the last portrait I'll have time to finish and delivery before Christmas this year.  However I know there are still some of you considering giving the gift of art this year.  So can I remind you that even for last minute Christmas shoppers there will still be time, as I shall be sending out Gift Voucher Certificates by email up to and including December 22nd.  

 Email me for more information about this or any of my work.

Gift Certificates for custom portrait painting.

Example only

  One of my custom portrait gift certificates can be the perfect way to give a unique and memorable gift to special friends or Mum, Dad, Grandparents in fact any family member.  Suitable for all occasions;  birthday gift, engagement, wedding present, anniversary gift, retirement presentation, Christmas.

I can create them for any monetary amount or for the price of a specific size of custom portrait, cost of shipping will be added in too.  Just email me to so we can plan how you'd like me to create your Gift Certificate .

What you get from me is a printable PDF Gift Certificate, which comes with full instructions for the recipient.


How does it work?

• You contact me and together we decide what you need. 
• I will send you a Paypal invoice for you to make the purchase.
•  I will email you a PDF voucher/certificate within 24 hours, usually sooner. 
• You will print this and give it to one person, or if you would prefer you can email it to them instead. Each gift certificate has a unique alphanumeric code that the recipient must mention when contacting me to order their painting. 
• The gift certificate will include instructions for the recipient.
• The recipient then contacts me to discuss their painting and send me photographs.
• I create the painting in collaboration with the recipient, sending them 'work in progress' images from start to completion of the work.
• I then post the completed portrait direct to them after it has their approval.

****************************

PLEASE NOTE

I will send the gift certificate to your PayPal email address.
You will need to email the gift certificate to the recipient.
The unique code on each certificate can only be used once, by one person!
The gift certificate will remain valid for one year from the date of purchase.
Gift certificates cannot be returned.
Gift certificates are non refundable.
Gift certificates cannot be redeemed for cash.
The painting shown is an example only and not included in the purchase of any gift certificate.

*****

SHIPPING & HANDLING
Depending on whether oil or quick drying acrylic paint is used, after the painting is completed time needs to be allowed for oil paint to dry before varnish is applied. Therefore shipping is approximately 5/6 weeks after the date of commencement for an oil painting.  Acrylic paintings can be shipped immediately.
The artwork will be carefully protected and packaged, and sent anywhere in the world. (Tracking number, signed for)

Custom portrait painting of three children.

Yesterday I finished this portrait of three beautiful children and in a way I'm sad to come to the end.  I had such a great time collaborating with the charming lady who is their grandmother.  As per my usual habit, through out the process I sent her 'work in progress' images (see below) and with the aid of her feedback together we created this painting.

For more information see How to Commission a Portrait.

Or check out the possibilities of Custom Portrait Gift Certificates.

Email me for more information about any of my work.

Friends & family referrals

I've got the best job in the world!  I get to do what I love all day long, and get to know very special people like you!  You trust me to paint your loved-ones, and I'm delighted that you're thrilled with my work and recommend me to others.  I am grateful when you spread the word and very much want to show how much you are appreciated.

So here's the plan;  when you refer a friend or family member to me for a new commissioned painting, that person will receive a 20% discount on their painting, and you will receive a credit in my studio worth 20% of their final amount.

For example: If your sister admires the painting you commissioned for your husband's birthday. And she is interested in working with me.  Please get her to email me personally (ask her to mention your name). If she then commissions a portrait valued at say 140. Her price will be marked down by 20% to 112 and you will receive a credit in my studio for 22.40 (20% of her final cost). 

Want to chat or talk about this, I'd love to hear from you.  Email me.

Wedding Anniversary portrait painting

Custom Wedding portrait - oil on canvas - by Bee Skelton

This painting was commissioned by the daughter of this very happy bride and groom to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.  I so enjoyed making this painting ... just look at those smiles!

For those of you who like to see how it's done, here are some 'work in progress' images:

Preparatory squared up pencil drawing by Bee Skelton

Blocked in background and some general tone by Bee Skelton

Wedding portrait work in progress by Bee Skelton

Weddidng portrait work in progress by Bee Skelton

Wedding portrait work in progress by Bee Skelton

Wedding portrait completed by Bee Skelton

Email me for more information this or about any of my work.

Or take a look at the Gift Certificate possibilities.

Young sisters and brother portrait painting.

Sisters & Brother -  11x14 oil on canvas - by Bee Skelton  

It really is too long since I updated the blog and even longer since I posted a sequence of 'work in progress' images for a portrait.  Today I decided to do something about it.

Email me for more information about any of my work.

Animal Art Charity

Probably for the first time, I've found how positive and useful Twitter can be. Through @PeterEgan6 the British actor, who is passionate about animals, particularly dogs, I got to hear about http://www.ourfriendsdogrescue.org.uk/ 

Please take a look at their website and you'll see how URGENTLY they need our help!

Unless enough monies can be raised to secure new land for the shelter, in a matter of days the possibility exists the dog catchers will move in to remove over 300 dogs, and take them to the killing pound, where they will be starved to death without food or water ... possibly much worse.

Please do what you can to help by donating;  spread the word by mentioning them on Facebook and Twitter;  tell your friends and email contacts.


Here's something else you can do:  If you've ever thought of commissioning a custom portrait painting of your own much loved pet, now's your chance to do just that and help save the lives of over 300 innocent animals.  Today I created an Animal Charity Art section in my Etsy shop and added a listing for Our Friends Dog Rescue.  Every penny/cent, 100% will be donated to the charity. 

My thanks to PeterEgan who has already Re-Tweeted my Our Friends Dog Rescue portrait painting charity information.

Memorial Pet Portrait

A lovely lady internet art client, who commissioned a couple of portraits some time ago and has since become a friend, made a request which set me in a quandry.  

Her little dog, Jake, a faithful companion for many years, came to the end of his life and she misses him so much.  She wanted his portrait painted.  And here's my problem.  The photo image she wants to remember him with is not great;  as you can see, very little of Jake can be seen in the middle of lots of ivy leaves.

 To be honest, under normal circumstances I would have been tempted not to accept the commission in this form.  But I know how much it means to this lady, so I explained the problems to her and my reservations,  and agreed to give it a try.

 ACEO 3.5 x 2.5"

Acrylic on mount board

I couldn't see any detail of Jake from the photo so had to work intuitively with a bit of additional visual information from the client.  I'm so glad now that I didn't give up on this.

New portrait painting of Carlotta Valdes

A big thank you to my client for re-introducing me to the Alfred Hitchcock film, Vertigo and for commissioning this new portrait of Carlotta.  Never in a million years would I have otherwise thought of making this painting.  But it's been fascinating and I'm glad I did it!

Here are clips of all the work-in-progress stages on this painting:

Portrait of Carlotta Valdes ACEO

I'm completing outstanding portrait commissions and was reminded that I hadn't shown the final version of Carlotta, so here she is.  If you'd like to see 'work in progress' images of this small ACEO size portrait you're welcome to take a look HERE.

I've now been asked to paint a large portrait of Carlotta Valdes on canvas.  The client has very kindly sent me a DVD of the Vertigo film, which I've been studying. The portrait featured in the film is extremely haunting and I have to say I'm becoming a fan of the the piece in general.  Alfred Hitchcock must have been both a genius and a complicated man.

Becoming a better artist.

Just a brief announcement to let you know that after many years of teaching myself, I've now enrolled on a fine art course working towards a degree. The time taken to decide on a formal art education has been long;  some might say too long! 

I was all set to go to art school to study Fine Art after O Levels as a teenager, and had visions of eventually going to the Slade.  I came down to earth with a bump when  I discovered my art master had put me forward for Textile Design at the local art school.  This was not where my ambition lay, so in a fit of stubborn indignation, I left school and as a result, for a while, my life took a very different path to the one I'd dreamed up.

I hope to become a better artist, as I am stretched and accept new challenges ... time will tell.  Art and life go on. As always, I'm fascinated to see what happens next.  The content of this blog will change, not sure how, so it'll be a surprise to both of us.  Thank you for your interest in my work so far.

Portrait of The Portrait of Carlotta

One of the reasons I love my work so much, is that I'm never quite sure what I'll be painting next and the current project is definitely different from the norm.  

A very nice client has sprung a really unusual commission on me;  it's the first time I've been asked to paint a portrait inspired by another portrait.  Not only that, the subject is not a real person, but a character from a film;  Vertigo a 1950s film starring James Stewart alongside Kim Novak and directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

 Here is a loose painted sketch I've made to begin the process.  It's going to be a tiny piece, ACEO size 2.5 x 3.5 inches.  I'm working in acrylics on thick mount board.  Eventually I hope to add as much detail as possible, given the obvious size constraints and will update the blog with a number of 'work in progress' images as it takes shape.  Should be fun :)  

 Update:  Work in progress image 2.

 Image 2 shows progress after more layers have been added to the background.  Also I've begun work on the dress, which will be very interesting to paint and eventually I'd like to achieve the effect of shot-silk brocade fabric if possible.  A long way to go.

I've left the face, bouquet and jewellery almost untouched, as I'm leaving those elements almost to the last.  They will be such fun to paint and I like to give myself a final special treat.

 Update:  Work in progress image 3.

During this session I tried to develop the appearance of lace around the neckline with a hint of gold, and added highlights and texture to the fabric, with pretty pink roses surrounded by white lace in the bouquet.

I am looking forward to adding detail to the face and jewelry during the next session.

 Update:  Work in progress image 4.


Carlotta now has a face.

The final version of this painting can be seen HERE.

German Shepherd and Jack Russell pet portrait commission

The German Shepherd and Jack Russell pet portrait is now finished. I'm just about to add 3 layers of varnish ready for the client to give as a birthday present later this week.

If you would like to view the painting process stage by stage, you can see it by clicking HERE.

Information on how to commission your own painting.

German Shepherd and Jack Russell custom portrait painting

This pet portrait has been commissioned as a birthday present for the joint owner. Several seperate photos have been supplied by email and I have printed them out and selected the ones I feel will work best if I group the 'chums' as if sitting together. The German Shepherd has a wonderful noble demeaner and the Jack Russell appears to be laughing.


I'm using a 10x12 inch stretched canvas and began by making a drawing in pencil. If you would like to see progress of this painting, you're welcome to come back and take another look as work progresses over the next few days.


In session 2 I began by loosely adding a light wash to both animals. I then roughly blocked in a background. The colour of the background, as with everything else, will evolve as the painting progresses.


Session 3: Beginning to add more layers. Long way to go.

Session 4: More layers added and starting to gradually build up colour depth and detail.


Session 5: Worked on the German Shepherd and background, adding depth and shadows. In case you're wondering about the spooky 'blank' eyes..... painting eyes is my favourite part of a portrait project and I like to leave them as a treat for myself as long as possible. I feel it's time for the eyes will get some attention during the next session.

Session 6: More layers ... and today we have eyes!


Session 7: Worked on adding detail and texture to the German Shepherd. Lots of work to do on the little Jack Russell next time.


Session 8: Added shading and texture to the Jack Russell and cleaned up her profile. More detail on the German Shepherd also, softening some of the fur texture and adding detail overall. Before I go any further, now is a good time to get feedback from the client, so that any amendments can be made before fine detail added.


Session 9: Lots of progress and changes on the Jack Russell. In consultation with the client it was agreed to bring the ears forward and she does look so much better as a result. More layers and refining.

Algonquin Park Canada original painting

Algonquin Park must be one of the most beautiful places on earth. When a client recently commissioned me to paint this landscape, I jumped at the chance. It seemed a tall order at first, as I have never been to Canada, but then I haven't met all of the people whose portrait I paint either, so I decided to accept the challenge.

On this occasion the client did not have a particular photograph for me to work from, but she did know very precisely what she wanted featured; a canoe, the Algonquin sign and trees.

I then had a fabulous time becoming familiar with how the forest and lakes look, helped enormously by Ray Mears Northern Wilderness BBC TV program. For those of you interested in the painting process, here are a few 'work in progress' images.