Commissions
Let me turn a cherished car into a terrific original work of art
Car owners frequently have many photos of their cars, but few of them have a painting! A painting is something unique and special; a particularly exclusive gift, ideal for a car fan.
I welcome commissions, so if you are interested in a painting or drawing, please contact me so we can discuss how I can transform photos of your vehicle into something distinctive and personal.
As well as cars, I will gladly portray most motoring subjects and I am keen to diversify into other vehicles, including buses, lorries, and tractors.
My style is to portray a car viewed at eye-level looking towards the front corner, in full sunshine, the way you might look back admiringly at it, as I feel this gives the most pleasing view of the subject.
I believe the car is the star, so to give maximum emphasis to the subject, I generally recommend portraying the vehicle without any background. However, for those who prefer the car in context, I can add a background if preferred.
I ensure that I replicate all those individual touches that make the car special and unique, such as badges, wheels & tyre tread patterns, accessories, etc.
I work flat on a desk in my study-o, which, with limited space, means I generally prefer to work at A3-size.
My paintings are generally 16″ X 12″, mounted in a bespoke two-tone grey double-mount (other options available) ready to fit any standard 20″ X 16″ frame.
Adding the extra touch!
A popular additional touch is to also have the image made into a greetings card, which can be given beforehand for added surprise.
The cost of a commission depends on the size and complexity of the image.
Adding a background does increase the cost, due to the (often considerable) additional work involved, and risk of jeopardy!
Each painting takes many hours, including photo-editing and research beforehand, as well as the level of accuracy and detail in my paintings. This limits the number of paintings I can undertake.
Although I always have a waiting list for new works, I try and accommodate specific requests at short notice, and work best with deadlines.
Many of my paintings have been commissioned as surprise gifts for birthdays, Christmas and other special occasions.
Where it all starts
My paintings are created on this desk in my study-o, where I can use the dual monitors to display up to 4 images at any one time, and scroll through reference images to optimise details and shading, etc.
The Golden Eagle on the TV is a nod to my lifelong interest in wildlife.
Pictures
As a starting point, I need (ideally) good quality photos of the subject, and welcome as many photos as possible, preferably taken at high resolution with a camera.
From these, I select the one that is most suitable, if at all possible. However, if not, I can source alternative images from my own archive or online, to find the best pose. A good example is this Porsche, where I only was only given one single view of the car in question, long since sold.
Creative Process
I get images printed at the size of the intended painting, to ensure I have the correct proportionality.
After carefully drawing the outline, I use gouache (a type of opaque water colour paint often used by designers and illustrators) to render the main image, adding detail using fine-liner pens and coloured pencils.
Whilst the painting is in progress, I view multiple images of the subject on a twin-screen desktop set-up, zooming in to capture the fine detail.
I constantly review paintings whilst underway and have a good eye to spot inconsistencies, including perspective.
I often use a mirror to view the image, as flipping it can highlight issues not otherwise obvious.
When the painting is nearly finished, I spend a lot of time finessing it to make each image the best it possibly can be.
Nearly all my paintings are currently carried out on St Cuthbert’s Mill 'Saunders Waterford' High White HP (Hot Pressed) Watercolour Blocks. www.stcuthbertsmill.com
Work in progress
Here are examples of my work in progress, which showcase the step-by-step evolution from the initial outline to the final intricate details.
This visual journey will provide you with a comprehensive insight into the creative process, illustrating how each stage contributes to the overall development and refinement of the artwork.
Presentation & Delivery
Once completed, I mount paintings in a custom-made double-mount to allow them to be transported flat, and so that they are ready for framing at a size for which frames are readily available.
I present them in a clear cellophane sleeve for protection.
I have bespoke packaging, allowing me to securely send mounted paintings using Royal Mail Special Delivery a cost of £15 in the UK.
