TESSA THONETT ART
"Every face is unique and exciting
to get to know and paint"
I have painted commissioned portraits for most of my life, while living abroad - especially the 16 years in Brazil. But the photos I took of my work (as it was during the pre-digital years) have been lost over the years during my many moves - or were not even taken! Below are a few of my more recent commissioned portraits, plus a few previously commissioned portraits and I explain about the process of commissioning a portrait below them.
Recent Review (for the painting on the left): "This painting has been quite a journey and I so appreciate your patience and perseverance striving to have me be happy with it. Underneath, for me, was a fear that I wouldn't be able to connect with it, which came from not really remembering her face. What I am so thrilled about is you have captured that twinkle in her eyes that I do remember, when she came to visit and made special time to spend with me when I was very young. This painting is a reflection of those happy times".
This was commissioned at the beginning of 2024.
It is of my client's favourite aunt who died many years ago, so from a black and white photo (I prefer to meet my clients, but can also paint from photos). It is 12" x 16", oil on canvas, painted with palette knives 
This was a 2023 commission of my client's grandchildren.
A gift to her son who lives abroad. It's 20" x 16" oil on canvas, painted w/ palette knives 
I met this lovely girl at a party and
she commissioned a portrait! It is 20" x 16" oil on canvas Painted w/ palette knives 
This painting was commissioned to remind my client
of his favourite days at the races. Oil on canvas 24" x 36", painted w/brushes 
This is a small oil sketch on canvas,
12" x 16", painted w/ brushes 2024 |
This commissioned portrait was completed in 2023.
I met her at a wedding :-) It is 12" x 16" oil on canvas, painted with palette knives 
This Commission was completed in Sept 2024.
It is 20" x 24", oil on canvas, painted with palette knives 
This commission was sent to my client's father
in Australia It's 24" x 20" oil on canvas, painted w/ palette knives 
This client discovered after I had finished this painting, that her mother had coincidentally also had a portrait painted of her when she was the exact same age - also
a profile with her hair up! This is 24" x 20" oil on canvas, painted w/ palette knives 
A commissioned painting of Col. ADF Hodson
Oil on Board 12" x 18", painted w/ brushes |
My commissioned portraits come with a free frame
Commissioning a portrait -
Initially, it helps if you let me know how many people are in the painting and if the sitter is available for an initial photoshoot or lives too far away. If so, or if it is going to be a painting of someone who is deceased or it’s a surprise gift, it would mean I would then work from photos that you supply. I am happy working from good quality photographs, which preferably I take, but depending on everyone's individual situation as stated above, it may be necessary to use photos provided by you. For whatever reason, I am happy to look at the photos you have available and give advice and guidance on what is possible and what the budget allows.
Typically, I like to meet with the sitter and get to know them, taking lots of photographs and possibly making some quick sketches, and then finally I work on the painting in my studio space.
Knowing what approximate size you would like is also helpful. I work from 8” x 10” up to 30” x 36” format and I can tailor my work around your needs or budget. I work in oils, using brushes for smaller portraits and then usually I use palette knives for larger portraits, although if requested I can also use brushes instead. I don’t use palette knives for smaller portraits.
How much does it cost?
The price of a commissioned portrait painting varies depending on the size and complexity of the portrait. There will always be a premium for having multiple sitters in the one painting. If requiring a photoshoot then the cost of travel will need to be factored in. No two commissioned portraits are the same so please get in touch letting me know your requirements and I will provide you with a tailored quote to meet your needs.
To give an example, a small head and shoulders oil portrait from a good quality photo, painted with brushes, starts at £495 (8” x 10”) and increases for a larger painting, painted with spatulas. For a larger head and shoulders painting the price is typically £1000-2000 depending on the size and complexity of the image. I also paint family or group portraits, and price details are available on request. I am happy to accommodate and discuss all budgets as everything is scalable. I take an initial non refundable deposit of 50% and the remainder on completion.
The sizes of canvas I typically work with are: 8” x 10”, 12” x 16”, 16” x 20”, 20” x 24”, 24” x 36” and 30” x 36”. If a square canvas is required, that is no problem.
Do you paint families, couples and groups?
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 be more.
How do we make a start?
The best way to arrange the commission is to contact me via my contact page and give me a rough idea of what you would like. We can then discuss it, running through all the options and we can even arrange a time to talk on the phone if that’s easier.
I look forward to hearing from you!
If you're interested in possibly commissioning a portrait from me click on the button below.
Initially, it helps if you let me know how many people are in the painting and if the sitter is available for an initial photoshoot or lives too far away. If so, or if it is going to be a painting of someone who is deceased or it’s a surprise gift, it would mean I would then work from photos that you supply. I am happy working from good quality photographs, which preferably I take, but depending on everyone's individual situation as stated above, it may be necessary to use photos provided by you. For whatever reason, I am happy to look at the photos you have available and give advice and guidance on what is possible and what the budget allows.
Typically, I like to meet with the sitter and get to know them, taking lots of photographs and possibly making some quick sketches, and then finally I work on the painting in my studio space.
Knowing what approximate size you would like is also helpful. I work from 8” x 10” up to 30” x 36” format and I can tailor my work around your needs or budget. I work in oils, using brushes for smaller portraits and then usually I use palette knives for larger portraits, although if requested I can also use brushes instead. I don’t use palette knives for smaller portraits.
How much does it cost?
The price of a commissioned portrait painting varies depending on the size and complexity of the portrait. There will always be a premium for having multiple sitters in the one painting. If requiring a photoshoot then the cost of travel will need to be factored in. No two commissioned portraits are the same so please get in touch letting me know your requirements and I will provide you with a tailored quote to meet your needs.
To give an example, a small head and shoulders oil portrait from a good quality photo, painted with brushes, starts at £495 (8” x 10”) and increases for a larger painting, painted with spatulas. For a larger head and shoulders painting the price is typically £1000-2000 depending on the size and complexity of the image. I also paint family or group portraits, and price details are available on request. I am happy to accommodate and discuss all budgets as everything is scalable. I take an initial non refundable deposit of 50% and the remainder on completion.
The sizes of canvas I typically work with are: 8” x 10”, 12” x 16”, 16” x 20”, 20” x 24”, 24” x 36” and 30” x 36”. If a square canvas is required, that is no problem.
Do you paint families, couples and groups?
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 be more.
How do we make a start?
The best way to arrange the commission is to contact me via my contact page and give me a rough idea of what you would like. We can then discuss it, running through all the options and we can even arrange a time to talk on the phone if that’s easier.
I look forward to hearing from you!
If you're interested in possibly commissioning a portrait from me click on the button below.
I also sell my other portraits at a reduced price (see tab below: 'paintings for sale' ) And Markus and I send out emails to a private list, sharing our work, exhibition info and ideas, etc - even special offers.
'Icon' Portraits
These portraits were commissioned to be given as a wedding present. They were painted in 2023 in
collaboration with my husband, Markus, who makes the backgrounds by carving, painting and sanding the wooden plaque. He then primes a space in the centre for me to paint the portrait in oils.
18cm x 18cm approx
Commissions taken. They are £500 each for a commissioned portrait in this style
collaboration with my husband, Markus, who makes the backgrounds by carving, painting and sanding the wooden plaque. He then primes a space in the centre for me to paint the portrait in oils.
18cm x 18cm approx
Commissions taken. They are £500 each for a commissioned portrait in this style
