Ancestral Portraits
Hand-painted ancestral portraits from your photographs
An old family photograph can provide the starting point for a hand-painted oil portrait. We create individual and family portraits from supplied photographs, including black-and-white and sepia images, with careful attention to the faces, clothing and details that make each image personal.
Your painting can follow the original photograph closely, or we can discuss changes to the background, clothing or composition. For a colour portrait from a monochrome photograph, we can discuss your preferences and any supporting references you have. Where changes are requested, an initial mock-up can be prepared before painting begins.
Send us your photograph and preferred painting size, and we will assess the available detail and provide a personalised quote.
Request a personalised quoteCompleted ancestral portraits
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From photograph to finished oil painting
The customer asked us to turn an old black-and-white photograph into a colour oil portrait. We researched the uniform colours and suggested a colour for the dress, choosing background tones to complement the clothing. The colours are an interpretation rather than a confirmed record of the originals.
The customer wanted a realistic oil portrait in colour, painted from a black-and-white photograph. With no colour photographs available, we used our judgement to interpret the hair, eye and lip colours.
An oil portrait created from the supplied reference photograph.
Created from a monochrome photograph, with colours interpreted for the finished oil painting.
An oil portrait created from the supplied reference photograph.
Colours are interpreted for the painting rather than verified from the black-and-white photograph.
How it works
Send us your photographs
Share the photographs you would like us to work from, together with your preferred painting size and any changes you have in mind. If you are unsure about the size or composition, we can help you consider the options.
Agree the details and quotation
We will review your photographs and confirm the proposed composition, size, price and estimated timescale.
If you request changes to clothing, colours or the background, we can prepare an initial mock-up for approval before painting begins.
Secure your commission
A 50% deposit secures your commission and allows us to begin work. The deposit is non-refundable.
Our typical timescale is 5–6 weeks. We will confirm the estimated timing in your quotation.
Review your finished painting
When the painting is ready, we will email you a high-resolution photograph for approval.
Reasonable minor amendments are free before final approval. Substantial changes to the agreed composition will be quoted separately.
Approve and arrange delivery
The remaining 50% is payable after you approve the finished painting and before dispatch.
Worldwide delivery is free for rolled canvases. Overseas shipping for framed portraits is quoted individually according to the destination and the finished artwork.
Portrait FAQs
What photographs should I send?
Please send the clearest, highest-resolution photographs you have. Sharp images help the artist see facial features and other important details.
If your only photograph is old, faded or less clear, send it to us for review. We can advise on what is achievable from the available material.
Can you combine people from separate photographs?
Yes. We can use separate photographs to bring people together in one family or group portrait. Send us the images you would like used and explain the arrangement you have in mind.
Can you change the background, clothing or colours?
Yes. These are common requests. We can prepare an initial mock-up showing the proposed changes for you to approve before painting begins.
Please discuss the changes you would like when requesting your quotation.
Can you create a colour portrait from a black-and-white photograph?
Yes. We can create a colour oil portrait from an old black-and-white photograph.
Where the original colours are unknown, we can discuss your preferences and any additional reference material you have.
How much does an oil portrait cost?
The price depends on the size and complexity of the painting, including the number of people or animals and the detail required.
Send us your photographs and preferred size for a personalised quote. Displayed portrait prices include VAT. The applicable VAT treatment for overseas orders will be confirmed in your quotation.
How long does a commission take?
Our typical timescale is 5–6 weeks. We will confirm the estimated timing when preparing your quotation.
If you have a particular date in mind, please tell us before ordering so we can advise on availability.
How do payments work?
A 50% non-refundable deposit secures your commission and allows work to begin.
The remaining 50% is payable after you approve the finished painting and before dispatch.
Will I see the finished painting before it is sent?
Yes. We will email you a high-resolution photograph of the finished painting for your approval before dispatch.
Can I request amendments?
Yes. Reasonable minor amendments are free before final approval.
Substantial changes to the composition agreed at the start of the commission will be quoted separately.
How will my portrait be delivered?
Rolled canvases are securely packaged in an art tube, with free worldwide delivery.
If you would like a framed portrait delivered overseas, we will provide a bespoke shipping quote based on the destination and finished artwork.
Can I have my portrait framed?
Yes. Please mention framing when requesting your quotation so we can discuss suitable options and confirm the additional costs.
