All Marcus Hodge’s portrait commissions are handled by Fine Art Commissions. You are therefore welcome to discuss your plans or make enquiries, either with FAC, or directly with Marcus. He will be able to let you know which type of composition is likely to work best and his current availability, before putting you in touch with FAC. It is usually necessary to book ahead, although where there is an urgent deadline, every effort will be made to help! You are also welcome to visit either Marcus’ Oxfordshire studio or FAC’s Bury Street gallery to view originals and meet the artist in advance of deciding whether to commission.

Oil portraits usually require four sittings from life of at least three hours each and, in an ideal world, sittings would be spaced at least a week apart. Full length compositions may take longer depending on the complexity of the backgrounds.

Before the oils are begun, a charcoal drawing is often made of the composition and if so, this is included in the price. For more intricate family groups, Marcus will sometimes produce an oil sketch as well.

If the portrait is of a small child, then he will also take reference photographs to help minimise the “wriggly factor” and thus reduce the stress for all concerned! He is good at entertaining children and making the sittings an enjoyable occasion having had ample practise at looking after his own! Sittings can either be at the client’s house, or at the artist’s studio in a village just outside Oxford.

Charcoal drawings are usually completed in two sittings from life and, once again, photographs can be used as a backup to help keep the experience a relaxed one for children.

www.fineartcommissions.com