Commissioning a miniature portrait

"Sir Richard Dobbs KCVO" by Bill Mundy Size 2.5 inches x 3.5 inches (6.4 cm x 8.9cm)

WATERCOLOUR This is the traditional medium for miniatures in past centuries. The effect will be delicate and sometimes almost transparent, so that the underlying pale surface may show through. This will give a luminous quality particularly to skin tones.

OIL A miniature oil portrait will have a more robust character, although the detail will be just as meticulously fine as a watercolour painting.

"Oil painting" by Elizabeth Meek size 3.25 x 4.5 inches [8.2 x 10.5 cm]

"Alice" by Jenny Brooks Size 4 inches x 3 inches [10.6cm x 7.62cm]

PENCIL (plumbago) This is a fairly unusual but very traditional medium dating from the 17th century. The portrait will be monochrome with the most delicate variations of tone and shading.

ENAMEL An enamel portrait may have all the luminosity of watercolour but will be more durable. The vitrified (melted glass) enamel paint is fired in stages on to copper or gold (which will be more expensive) at a temperature of 850 degrees centigrade in a kiln. Portraits may be incorporated into enamel boxes or framed as miniatures on a velvet mount. They need no glass.

"The High Sheriff of Cornwall 1996-1997 Mrs. Jill Trench Morison " (incorporating enamelled gold inscription) by Gillie Hoyte Byrom hand-painted vitreous enamel on copper set in gilt frame Size 3 ins x 2.5 ins (7.5cm x 6.5cm)

"Dennis Saunders" Size 3.5 ins x 2 ins (8cm x 5 cm) by June Blyth

SILHOUETTE A traditional style in which the profile of the sitter is drawn and painted in opaque black paint. Highlights of gold, silver or white are added to give an almost three-dimensional effect to the portrait. Some artists include colour in the costume.

PAINTING 'EN GRISAILLE' (Pronounced "ong greez-eye"!). A painting 'en grisaille' is done entirely in tones of grey - giving the impression of relief sculpture. Some artists will then apply transparent colour over the grey.

"Sue Burton, Co-founder and first President of the Hilliard Society of Miniaturists" by Heather O. Catchpole

" Golden Retriever" Size 3ins (7.6cm) in diameter by Sue Massey

PET AND ANIMAL PORTRAITS Don't forget your pets. Beautiful portraits can be made of them. This unusual painting is done with acrylic on agate.

A hand painted miniature portrait is a unique record of the sitter, and can become a family heirloom, forming a lasting memory for many hundreds of years. Before the advent of photography portraits such as these were commissioned to be carried as reminders of those left at home, or given as signs of favour. In the early days only the richest families could afford such portraits, but today there is no reason why anyone reading this should not be able to commission one of their own. A miniature portrait by one of today's leading artists is a family treasure that will appreciate in value in time to come.

Portrait miniaturists will almost always work from a selection of good clear photographs, so do not be put off if the painter of your choice lives too far away to meet in person!

If you are thinking of commissioning a portrait you need to consider a number of points:

First, your budget!:

A miniature by a Hilliard Society artist will cost between £500 and £2,000 (pounds sterling)

What medium would you prefer?

Look at all the alternatives above and make your choice!

Bases

Depending on the medium used paintings can be done on board, paper, or ivorine, a man-made surface that looks and behaves like ivory. "Recycled" ivory, in the form of, for instance, old piano keys, may be used but always costs a good deal more. Vellum made from calf or goat skin is commonly used.

Framing

A miniature portrait is always supplied ready-framed. Traditional frames are gold or gold plated and may be circular, rectangular or the traditional oval. Wooden frames may also be used.

Time-scale

A miniature portrait, in spite of its size, can take several weeks to complete. Commissions may take a few months depending on other commitments of the artist.

How to proceed with a commission

If you think you would like to commission one of our artists, think about the choices listed above and write to us at carolinehayes@onetel.com, giving some idea of the sort of portrait you would like and your budget. We will then recommend an artist or artists to you. If you wish to proceed you can then tell us your postal address and the artist will write to you sending photographic examples of their work and a suggested fee for your consideration. When this has been agreed you can correspond directly with the artist about the details

A list of portrait painters can be found here.

Postal address

Caroline Hayes
Hilliard Society
The Garden House
Salters Lane
Winchester, Hants, SO22 5JP
UK