Commission a Portrait:
A Timeless Oil Painting

To commission a portrait is to invest in a bespoke piece of art that captures a moment, a personality, and a legacy. As an established portrait painter in the UK, I specialise in creating oil paintings of exceptional quality, working from life sittings or high-quality photographs to achieve a result that transcends mere likeness. Whether you wish to immortalise a loved one, commemorate a personal achievement, or acquire a significant piece of art, I offer a professional and collaborative commissioning process.

My artistic approach focuses on understanding what makes a person truly unique. This allows me to create portrait works that serve to tell an individual's story, reflecting his character and spirit. If you wish to commission a painting, I invite you to explore the possibilities of creating a lasting heirloom together.

A commissioned oil portrait of a distinguished man with grey hair, wearing a red sweater and holding a wooden staff by Oliver Winconek.

Mehdi

A portrait commission oil painting of a dignified older woman sitting casually by a window, smiling, with a scenic view outside.

MS

A portrait commission of a Man in a suit next to a woman in a white dress, holding a dog by a balcony painted in the UK.

Sarah, Chris and Hailey

A commissioned oil painted portrait of a young woman and man sitting on a sofa with a cat between them by Oliver Winconek.

Seb, Sienna and Thornie

A commissioned large oil painting of a silhouette of a rider on a horse at sunset,Reflection on wet sand by Oliver Winconek.

Melissa riding at sunset

Portrait commission UK by Oliver Winconek. Oil painting of two young men sit together in a grassy field with trees in the background.

T+T

An oil painting of a smiling couple sitting in a garden with flowers and a greenhouse in the background. Commission by Oliver Winconek

Sally and Michael

An oil painting by Oliver Winconek man with tattoos, wearing a dark shirt, sits with arms crossed, smiling confidently.

D R

Oil painting commission of two women sitting on a green sofa, one holding a mug, both dressed casually by Oliver Winconek.

B & N

A commissioned oil painting of an elderly man in a hat sitting on a bench with a black and white dog by Oliver Winconek.

H&S

A commissioned portrait by Oliver Winconek of a woman in a blue floral dress seated outdoors, smiling, with greenery in the background.

Carole

Sunny, colourful oil painting of two children on a swing in a sunny playground, smiling and playing together.

Two children commission

How to commission an oil portrait painting FAQ

The Commissioning Process - 
Embarking on portrait commissions is a journey we take together. The process typically involves:

- An initial consultation to discuss your vision, the subject, and the desired style and size of the painting.
- A discussion of source materials, whether planning for a life sitting at my Northamptonshire studio or working from reference photographs.
- A transparent overview of the timeline and pricing structure.
- Regular updates as the painting progresses, ensuring the final piece aligns perfectly with your expectations.

Where to make a start -
Initially, it helps if the person commissioning the portrait has at least a rough idea of how they would like the eventual outcome to look. Knowing an approximate size as well as whether it is to be a full figure, head and shoulders or full-face portrait is always helpful to me and gives an idea of where to start.
I work to any size and format and often the work can be tailored around an individual's needs or budget.
I am equally happy working from either life or good quality photographs - these can either be provided by yourself or taken by myself depending on everyone's individual situation.
If working from life I can either arrange a space in my studio or I am happy to travel to the sitters' house or another venue of their choosing.

How much does it cost?
The price of a portrait commission varies depending on the size and complexity of the portrait and materials used. There will always be a premium for having multiple sitters in the one painting/drawing. if working from life or requiring a photoshoot then the cost of travel will have to be factored in.
To give an example a small oil portrait from a good quality photo can be completed for around £800. This then rises to the region of £2000 - £3000 for a larger head, shoulders and torso painting and includes a photoshoot/sketches at a location to suit you.
A full figure, life-sized painting can be commissioned for between £4000-6000 depending on the size and complexity of the finished painting.
Family or group portraits can be completed and price details are available on request. I am happy to accommodate and discuss all budgets as everything is scaleable.

Can you work from a photo that I provide?
Absolutely! A large amount of the paintings and drawings I complete are from photos provided by the client, for various reasons it is often necessary to work from a photo that I haven't taken myself. Either for a surprise gift, the subject may be either too busy for a photoshoot or their location too far away - for whatever reason, I am happy to look at the photos you have available and give advice and guidance on what is possible.
I also welcome posthumous portrait commissions and will always treat such enquiries with the utmost sensitivity and respect. 

Do I have to sit still?
Typically I find the best way for me to complete a Portrait commission is to meet with the sitter, complete a series of quick sketches and take a series of photographs and then work on the final painting in my studio space.
If I am working from life then being as still as possible is very helpful and assists in getting a good likeness however I do encourage regular breaks for the sitter and you're more than welcome to wear headphones to listen to music or audiobooks. If I'm working from photos then, of course, this is not an issue.

Do you paint families and couples?
Yes definitely, I am very happy to paint families, couples or groups of people but naturally as this involves painting more people and their likenesses then the cost will increase.

How do we make a start?
The best way is to contact me via my contact page and start to give me an idea of what you would like, we can then have a discussion to run through all of the options and if easier arrange a time to talk on the phone to arrange the commission.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Many thanks, Oliver Winconek

"Working with Oliver has been an absolute pleasure from start to finish. His communication throughout the process was clear, prompt and professional - he really took the time to understand our brief and what we were hoping to achieve. What impressed me most was Oliver’s artistic skill and sensitivity. He has a remarkable eye for composition and colour, and he managed to capture the essence of our idea beautifully, translating it into a painting that exceeded our expectations. Despite a tight timeframe, Oliver delivered with calm precision, with both technical mastery and genuine creative insight. He was also incredibly accommodating with a small adjustment along the way, making sure every detail felt just right. The final piece is stunning - full of depth, atmosphere, and emotion - and I am confident the couple we are giving it to will love it."

Louise Brooks
Job title

A couple sitting on a bench in a lush green park, surrounded by trees.

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