Choosing the Right Medium: Oil, Pencil or Digital
Commissioning a portrait is a personal experience, and choosing the right medium can make a big difference to how your artwork feels. Each medium I offer — oil, pencil, and digital — has its own strengths, style, and personality. Here’s a simple guide to help you decide what’s best for you.
Oil Paintings — Timeless, Detailed & Heirloom Quality
Best for:
- Special gifts
- Memorial portraits
- Highly detailed or expressive pieces
- Larger artworks
- Clients who want a traditional, long-lasting keepsake
Oil paintings have a richness and depth that make them feel truly timeless. Using classical techniques from my training in Florence, I build each portrait in layers to create softness, life, and a beautiful sense of presence. Oil is ideal if you’re looking for a piece that feels like a family heirloom — something to treasure for years to come.
Pencil Drawings — Elegant, Simple & Budget-Friendly
Best for:
- A more minimal or contemporary look
- Smaller budgets
- Quick turnaround
- Sketch-style or expressive portraits
Pencil drawings have a wonderful quiet beauty. They’re perfect if you love simplicity and want something clean, sensitive, and detailed without the formality of an oil painting. Pencil is also an excellent choice for clients looking for a more affordable option while still receiving a fully hand-drawn, bespoke portrait.
Digital Artwork — Versatile, Accessible & Fully Hand-Drawn
Best for:
- Fast turnaround
- Multiple print options
- Gifts (cards, prints, accessories)
- Clients wanting a modern, vibrant style
My digital artwork is drawn entirely by hand on an iPad using an Apple Pencil — nothing generated, filtered, or automated. It’s simply a modern sketchbook.
This medium allows for beautiful, expressive portraits at a more accessible price point. A big advantage is its versatility: once finished, the artwork can be printed on fine art paper, canvas, framed prints, cards, or even personalised gifts — the possibilities are endless. It’s a brilliant option if you want something unique, customisable, and still completely hand-created.
Still Unsure? I Can Help
If you’re torn between mediums, I’m always happy to advise based on:
- The photos you have
- Your budget
- The style you prefer
- Where the artwork will be displayed
- Whether it’s a gift
Each piece is tailored to your needs, so we can choose the medium that brings your portrait to life in the most meaningful way.
