Why a house portrait?

For birthdays, anniversaries or any special occasion, a beautifully painted watercolour of your home will capture the character of any building from a cottage to country house. You might choose instead to commission a painting of a favourite place: the house where you grew up or lived for many years, a school or university, a wedding venue, golf course or even a favourite bar. 

I use the term 'portrait' because my paintings are just that. In a similar way to a portrait of an individual each of them conveys not just the physical appearance of a particular building but its character and history. Those things which make it instantly recognisable and which summon memories and visions of the past.  This is a truly unique and lasting gift.

With a turn-around time of as little as one week, my pictures make perfect presents for Christmas, birthdays, wedding anniversaries, celebrating a graduation, a wedding or a house move.

How it works

I will need from you one or more, high definition, colour photographs of the building, from the viewpoint that you prefer. With a wealth of knowledge on what angles work best, I am of course always happy to discuss the choice of viewpoint.
(I am also more than happy, depending on the location, to make site visits to view the property in person.) Any text that you would like me to insert below the image.
I sign my work with discreet initials on the front and on the reverse in pencil with my name and date.

The painting, depending on complexity of the subject, will take me between one and two weeks, although I am happy to work to a short deadline, minimum five days.

I will keep in touch with you throughout the creative process. I will send an initial pencil sketch and then further images as the work progresses, for your approval and to discuss potential changes. 

Once finished, I will wrap the work and send it to you in a secure posting box by tracked delivery.

The work will arrive with a board backing, wrapped in cellophane and tissue.
I can also provide a cardboard mount to fit the image, as shown here.
It is also possible to have the picture framed at extra cost.

I will make a high-res scan of the work once it is complete and, in addition, at an extra cost, I can provide images of the completed picture for use as letterheads, invitation cards, greetings cards, prints and postcards.