Portraits

Portraits range from a sketch in conté to full life-size in oils. The procedure for commissioning a portrait can be found at the bottom of this page. Please scroll down.

SIR IAN GAINSFORD DEAN OF KING'S COLLEGE HOSP0ITAL, LONDON, UK Painted from a number of sittings Oil on canvas 48 x 38 Collection of the Kings College Hospital
THESPIAN: ANNELIESE PENNYCOOK Painted in oils on canvas from a number of sittings. Produced for a video interview on Rogers Televsion, Ontaro, Canada Oil on Canvas 46" x 40" Private collection
DAVID CHERITON Commissioned by the Faculty of Mathematics of the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario Painted in Ink, flow medium and accented in white acrylic paint on grey paper 18" x 16"
BILL WHITEHOUSE Volunteer model. Husband of my student and great friend Christine Wilson. We kept in touch & she was looking forward to coming to Panama, but unfortunately died a short while ago. I miss her greatly. An incredible woman.
BOB SCHMIDT Private commission Oil on Canvas 46" x 36"
NICOLE volunteer model painted for exhibition Oil on Canvas 48" x 30"
PREPARING TO DANCE Oil on Panel 36 x 30" private collection
EFRAN Sample of a portrait painted from sitting of approximately 4 hours Oil on Panel 30 x 30"
DANNIELA'S DAY private commission Oil on Canvas 46" x 28"
DANCERS OF THE ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET Painted in Oil on Canvas from sketches made at rehearsals in their studio in London. 26" x 24" private collection
DANCER RESTING Oil sketch painted on site at the studio of the ENB 36" X 30" SOLD

ST. MARTIN RESIDENT Painted in Oil on Canvas 20" x 18"
THE RED SILK JACKET Painted at a day studio session at the Arts & Letters Club of Toronto 16" x 12" SOLD

JUDITH Full of charm and humility Oil on Canvas 26 x 20 SOLD
LYN Painted from one session of approximately 3 hours Oil on canvas 20 x 16
MONICA AND HER FAMILLY Pastel on paper 26 x 20 private collection
MAURICE, CHEF DE CUISINE ET AL.OPOUL Oil on canvas painted on site from two sittings. 30 x 26 private collection
SAMPLE PORTRAIT OF A DRAWING IN CONTE ON GREY PAPER FROM LIFE ONE SITTING, 16 X 14
BEACH SERENADE IN MEXICO Oil on Panel 10" x 10" SOLD
BOULE P0LAYERS Oil on Panel 10" x 10" SOLD

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER ON ETHELS DECK, WATERLOO, ONTARIO Oil on Canvas 40 X 36 SOLD
Scroll down for procedure to commission a portrait

Portraits Information

Main Info
Types of portraits
How to proceed

Procedure of commissioning a painting of a portrait

Whether you require a small study in pencil, conté, ink or oils, or a full life size painting, I prefer to always work from life, wherever possible.

First contact should be through email when your full requirements, approximate cost and time schedule can be discussed.

All portraits require an initial meeting of approximately 1-2 hours when we can discuss the final size, the content, clothing, background, addition details, the medium it is to be painted in and the final price. At this stage a non-returnable deposit of 1/3rd is required.

The second meeting of a minimum of 2 hours, will be for the first sitting and study. If you only require a sketch then there will be no further sittings. Some photographs may be taken at this stage for completion in the studio. The total time to allow for completion of this style of portrait is 4 weeks.

A full oil, acrylic or pastel painting which includes the hands or full body will require a minimum of 3 sittings of approximately 3 hours each (preferably on consecutive days) depending upon detail of surroundings and complexity of dress, the total working time will be between 2 and 6 months.

Under special circumstances I will consider painting a portrait from photographs. However, it should be understood that these should be of professional quality and not snapshots.

All timings are approximate and schedule will depend upon current commitments.

Alternative styles of portrait illustrations and paintings

DRAWINGS/SKETCHES - 1-2 hour sittings or from suitable photographs

CONTÉ - A pastel pencil in either sepia or sanguine
Using GRAPHITE PENCIL.
Using PEN AND INK - with water wash for shading

All drawings are completed on HP balanced paper using the finest quality art materials.

Drawings will be coated with a sealant to prevent light surface damage, but will require to be framed under glass.

PAINTINGS in Oils, acrylics or pastels.

Oils and Acrylics are painted on top quality prepared stretched canvas using premier quality paints
Pastels are painted on HP balanced pastel paper, using the finest hand made and commercial pastels.
NB No final sealant is used to avoid colour changes).

It will be necessary to glaze and frame the portrait soon after completion to avoid any damage.

All materials used are the best available and finest quality modern materials, and are specifically manufactured

for fine art paintings.

They have been produced to have colour stability and long life.

Papers are specifically treated to avoid any discoloration.

Only the finest cotton and linen canvases are used for portraits in oil or acrylic and range from a minimum 16" x 12"

for a head & shoulders only, 26 x 20 minimum size for inclusion of hands and minimum of 5ft to accommodate a full length

standing portrait, or alternative measurements for seated groups.

Other family members or pets can be included.

All inquiries will be treated with respect and privacy and initial consultation is free and without obligation.

Podi Lawrence prefers to work direct from life, but in extreme circumstances will work from photographs dependent

upon the clarity of those photos.

Prices range from $200 for a sketch in single colour conte, pencil or ink, to $20,000 for a full size standing portrait

in oils - single figures.

Sketches and drawings will be from 1-2hour sittings/photographs with final finishing in the studio. Allow a minimum

of one month to presentation.

Oil paintings can be completed in sketch style in a single sitting of 3 hours, with finishing touches completed in the studio.

Allow a minimum of 3 months to presentation.

Large oil paintings will require a minimum of 2x3 hour sittings over a 3 consecutive day period finishing in the studio.

Allow a minimum of 6 months to presentation.

Additional charges:

1) Other family members included on the same painting 20% discount each.

2) Family pets can be included in paintings - $400 each.

3) Complex backgrounds 20-30% extra on the total cost depending on amount of detail.

Lawrence is available to travel to almost any country - expenses paid.

For a personal estimate of cost and time scale, email the artist through the contact page.

Please include your full name, and telephone contact and the country you reside in and the type of portrait you require.

Click here to go to the Contact Form