Portrait commissions
A portrait in paint, not in pixels.
Donna White paints portraits from your photographs, in her signature style of layered, dripping paint and bold colour. Fifty years of practice, over 500 paintings sold worldwide, and commissioned portraits including Nelson Mandela and Reuel Khoza.
Past portraits
Family, friends and commissioned sitters. These paintings have found their homes; yours would be painted in the same hand.
How a portrait commission works
01
Send photographs
No long sittings needed. Send a few photographs of the subject and tell Donna the feel you want.
02
The proposal
Donna comes back with size, palette, approach, a written quote and a timeline. Nothing starts until you agree.
03
The painting
Painted at Whitecroft Studio in layered, dripping colour. You follow its progress as it builds.
04
The likeness
Delivery is arranged, and the portrait meets the people it was painted for.
Portrait questions, answered
- How much does it cost to commission a portrait?
- Each portrait is quoted individually by size and scope. As a guide, Donna's original paintings currently range from £350 to £3,900. Send an enquiry with the size you have in mind for a written quote.
- Do I need to sit for the portrait?
- No. Donna works from photographs and conversation, so the subject does not need to sit for hours. Good, clear photographs are enough to begin.
- What style will my portrait be in?
- Donna's signature style: layered, dripping paint and bold colour that catches a likeness and a mood at once, rather than a photographic copy. The portraits on this page show the range.
- How long does a portrait commission take?
- Usually several weeks from agreed proposal to finished painting, depending on size. A timeline is agreed before work starts.
- Can Donna paint a portrait from an old photograph?
- Yes, in most cases. A clear photograph of the face is what matters most. Send what you have and Donna will tell you honestly whether it will work.
Prefer email? Write to donna@donnawhite.co.uk.