Commissions are undertaken for paintings in oils, watercolour and pen and watercolour. Prices vary according to the medium chosen, size of picture and travel/costs involved.
Commissions are accepted for landscape, architecture, flowers, cats, dogs or horses. Buildings can be public or private, house and/or garden portraits are a popular subject as a surprise gift for the owner.
Pictures can be commissioned for many reasons - retirement presents, anniversary gifts, personal choice and many more. Most are based on actual subjects but pictures of past subjects can be undertaken if there is sufficient information, for example I have painted a reconstruction of Penarth Baths in their heyday for a client. A quote and rough sketch can be supplied with no obligation using Contact Diana form.
Robinswood Watercolour 2023 A lovely commission to paint this stunning house in watercolour for the owner. Robinswood is a traditional Victorian detached house with some unusual features including timber clad gables and a beautifully detailed random stonework facade.The garden was an important part of the painting and the owner wanted to feature the cream flowered wisteria and the evergreen Holm Oak. It was a challenging commission but an absolutely delightful one.
Welsh Cottage Garden Watercolour 2021
Private commission from the owner to record his charming nineteenth century Welsh cottage and garden. It was a lovely commission as the cottage was being sympathetically improved. The garden was being created from scratch with lovely tradaitional cottage garden shrubs and perennials including unusual plants such as orange and lemon trees.
Xanti Watercolour 2020
A private Commission of Golden Retriever Xanti as a surprise gift to the owner. As usual I submitted two sketches, a complete standing pose of the dog and a head and shoulders portrait both using the snowy mountain background from one of the original photographs supplied. I was delighted the first version was chosen as the the snowy background of the Pyrenees mountains shows his rich golden coat and fabulous tail to advantage.
Spirit of Penarth 11 Watercolour 2019
A lovely commission from the RNLI to record the Naming Ceremony for the launch of their new lifeboat Spirit of Penarth 11. The lifeboat was funded by the people of Penarth and presented to our local Lifeboat Station by children from local Penarth schools. The ceremony, attended by local people including fundraisers and supporters included the traditional blessing of the lifeboat. It was very moving and so perfectly captured their long tradition of "Saving Lives at Sea". In my painting I wanted to capture the strong bond we Penarth people have with the Service, it is part of the fabric of our town and the way in which the actual station was literally built into the cliff behind is intended to express both the physical and emotional bonds we share. Throughout Britain there is a long-standing love and respect for our courageous lifeboat crews. I felt so privileged to be given this commission.
Penarth Pier Summer Clouds Oil on Canvas 2017
A commission for a Penarth couple to celebrate their wedding anniversary, oils on a deep-sided canvas, the largest I have painted to date. An oil painting takes a long time so I sent regular picture updates, including the initial rough lay-out, to keep them informed and give them the opportunity to make changes - eg. tide in or out? - how far in or out? They were particularly pleased with the sky which the husband described as "absolutely typical of the Bristol Channel". I had it back after six months for its final varnish, essential for the preservation of the painting. Its is now available to purchase at Artisans Corner as a print.
Barry Docks Office Building Watercolour 2016
A commission for a Vale of Glamorgan Council employee as a surprise 60th birthday present. The Docks Office is an inspiring building, and I enjoyed the challenge of painting it in watercolour. It has some lovely architectural features. A slightly amended version is now available to purchase as a print at Artisans Corner.
Victorian House Monochrome pen & watercolour 2016
Surprise birthday present for the sponsor's husband's birthday, studies and photographs had to be achieved while he was away on business - very cloak and dagger. Monochrome artwork is very effective for houses of character like this Victorian one in Penarth's conservation area. This study is in pen and ink with the tonal effects achieved by traditional "cross-hatching"
The Kymin, Beach Road, Penarth Watercolour 2015
Commissioned as a wedding gift for the bride and groom, a friend of the bride chose a watercolour painting of their wedding venue, The Kymin, Beach Road, Penarth. A pretty, popular local building set in parkland which I have painted to reflect their September wedding date. I have taken the liberty of editing out the Council's waste bins and other safety elements.
Wood Street Post Office, Penarth Watercolour 1993
This watercolour painting of Wood Street Post Office was commissioned by the owners many years ago. It has been extended twice since, sadly losing much of its original charm and character. This painting has now become an historical record.
We had a long discussion about the telegraph pole - leave it out or put it in? It is very dominant. In the end the owner decided it must go in as it is an integral part of the Post Office and its history. It was a good decision and also balances the picture well. Note the old stamp machine in the wall next to the door. The seats were very popular with local people and the hedge behind was clipped to protrude slightly above and to each side to give a feeling of shelter and protection. They always seemed to be occupied.
The wall on the old coach house behind is still clothed with roses and honeysuckle.