Portrait Paintings

Rachel Clark is a portrait artist working with a clear, individual style taking portrait commissions as well as painting for exhibitions.

Portrait Commissions

A portrait commission is a delicate matter involving a degree of trust. It is useful to remember when you commission a portrait that you are engaging in an interpretation of the sitter through the eyes of the artist. Visiting the artist, seeing work 'in the flesh' and talking through details of the portrait commission are all part of the portrait painting process. If you would like to commission a portrait painting in oil or a charcoal or pastel drawing from Rachel Clark, you may view more work in the Portrait Gallery or contact Rachel by phone or email.

Portrait Exhibitions

Rachel Clark has twice been selected to exhibit portraits with the National Portrait Gallery (BP Awards), with The Royal Society of Portrait Painters, and is currently assembling a major portrait exhibition of 'contentious and influential' British subjects including DAC Brian Paddick, Mary Whitehouse CBE, Bruce Kent, Sir Bernard Ingham, Mike Mansfield QC, Dawn Airey, Edward Bond etc. [see Biography for further details]

Portrait Painting

It is relatively easy in a portrait commission to create a physical likeness, but this isn't enough. Rachel Clark portraits reveal qualities of the inner person - a dynamic expression, vibrant, tactile, as if in motion. A living representation.

"My portrait paintings are largely head and shoulder images. Whilst essentially traditional, they have a strong contemporary feel to them. I use background colour to support my interpretation of the subject. The painted image of the person, the brushwork, my use of colour all tell the story of their character."

portrait commission in oil of Mark Thompson Mark Thompson on his portrait:
"When I first saw Rachel's portrait of me I almost jumped out of my skin! It was like looking in the mirror and seeing my true reflection for the first time! The painting seemed to embody every aspect of my personality."

Anthony Ward, who commissioned the portrait:
"I was truly amazed and somewhat floored by the portrait of Mark. Rachel had captured his spirit and wicked wit more perfectly than any photographic likeness I had seen."

 

An intimate portrait strongly framed has an intensity which will light up a room, it will draw the eye and engage the viewer as if in conversation with the sitter. It has both intimacy and strength.

If you are interested in commissioning a portrait of yourself, your Board of Directors, Chairman, a member of your family or a friend, see more examples of Rachel Clark portrait paintings in the Portrait Gallery and further testimonials from Rachel Clark clients.

If you are new to commissioning or purchasing original art, you may like to visit the Collectors page.

Portrait Commissions - sittings

A commission requires a minimum of two sittings of two hours each, at Rachel Clark's London studio.

 one of a series of portrait commissions in oil of Andrew Barrett
Portrait painting of Andrew Barrett, MD Heinz, UK 1992-1996

Corporate Portrait Commissions
Corporate portrait commission in oil of Professor Howard's team at the Institute of Psychiatry in London

Professor Robert Howard, the internationally recognised clinical scientist in old age psychiatry, opted to commission a portrait (The Maudsley Portrait) of his team of psychiatrists and psychologists working with him at the world-famous Institute of Psychiatry in London in order to celebrate the team's achievements.

Portrait Commissions - overseas clients

Please contact Rachel Clark to discuss options.

 

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