Commission a Portrait
Classical oil portraits for collectors, corporations, and families who value legacy.
I paint ten portrait commissions a year, in oil, rooted in Old Master technique and the light and traditions of the South. Keeping the number small is what lets each sitter have my full attention, from the first conversation to the day the portrait hangs.
2026 is full. I am reserving 2027 portraits now.
Reserving 2027
Six places remain in my 2027 calendar. A $500 reservation holds one. It is credited in full toward the portrait, it is non-refundable, and it may be transferred once, to another sitter or to 2028. Portraits begin around $5,000, and the final price reflects size, complexity, and the number of subjects. Every commission includes a consultation, a reference session, and progress reviews while I paint.
Three to six months from our first conversation to delivery, depending on scale and schedule. Sporting and wildlife commissions are scoped individually.
How a portrait comes together
Conversation
Every portrait begins with a conversation about the subject, the setting, and the story behind them. We talk through what you have in mind, the timing, and how best to capture presence in paint.
We can meet by phone, by video, or in person. The aim is a portrait that carries character as well as likeness.
Reference and painting
Photography and composition come first. I visit your home, your office, or a place that matters to the subject, and design the portrait from reference taken or chosen with care.
You review and approve the references before I begin. As the painting develops I send progress photographs, so you are part of every stage.
Delivery
The finished portrait is made to be lived with for generations. Delivery includes professional presentation and guidance on hanging and light.
For the whole process in more detail, read my guide to commissioning a portrait.
Collected and trusted
I was born in Charleston and trained classically at SCAD, then studied figurative painting in France before coming home to build a portrait practice on Old Master technique. My work hangs in the historic Governor Thomas Bennett House and William Aiken House, and with private collectors and companies across the Southeast and beyond.
FAQs
How do I commission a portrait painting?
1
Portrait commissions begin with a conversation about the subject, setting, and vision for the work.
You can read a detailed overview of the process in this guide: How to Commission a Portrait Painting
What does a portrait painting cost?
2
Portrait commissions typically begin around $5,000. Larger statement portraits, the kind meant to anchor a room for generations, generally range from $8,000 to $18,000, with final pricing depending on scale and complexity.
How long does a portrait commission take?
3
Most portrait commissions are completed within three to six months.
What is Southern Heritage Painting?
4
Southern heritage painting explores the people, landscapes, and traditions that shape the cultural identity of the American South. Learn more about Southern Heritage Painting.
Start Your Commission
Reserving 2027
Not ready to reserve, or have a question first? Tell me about the portrait you have in mind and I will write back within two days.