Portrait Painter East Sussex
Commission an oil portrait in East Sussex by award-winning UK portrait artist Hazel Morgan — from a live sitting at Hazel’s Wiltshire studio or from a carefully chosen set of photographs. Hand-delivered to clients across East Sussex, from the chalk downland and stone villages of the South Downs to the seaside towns of Brighton, Hove and Eastbourne.
The Art of Portrait Painting in East Sussex
East Sussex sits within the kind of English landscape that has drawn portrait painters, collectors and patrons for generations — a setting of period homes, country estates, parklands and parish life that rewards the traditional oil portrait. Hazel Morgan accepts commissions from private clients, families and institutions across East Sussex and the wider East Sussex area, producing hand-painted oil portraits suited to both period and contemporary interiors.
Each commission begins with a short conversation about the sitter — how they should be lit, what they should wear, what the portrait is meant to carry. From there, Hazel works from life sittings at her Wiltshire studio or, for clients who prefer, from a carefully chosen set of photographs. The finished oil is hand-varnished, framed to the client’s taste, and hand-delivered across the UK.
Portrait Painting Services Available in East Sussex
Hazel offers a comprehensive range of portrait styles and subjects to suit every occasion and setting. Each portrait is painted entirely by hand in fine oil paints on premium Belgian linen canvas, using techniques refined over a career spanning more than four decades.
Classical & Formal Portraits
Traditional oil portraits for private collections, family legacies, and formal settings. Available as head-and-shoulders, half-length, or full-length compositions.
Corporate & Boardroom Portraits
Distinguished portraits of CEOs, directors, chancellors, and civic leaders. Painted to the exacting standards expected by boardrooms and institutional collections.
Family & Child Portraits
Intimate portraits that capture the personality and spirit of children and families. Painted from photographs or sittings to create a cherished keepsake.
Pet & Equestrian Portraits
Beautifully detailed oil paintings of beloved pets, horses, and companion animals. Each painting conveys the unique character and personality of the subject.
Memorial & Posthumous Portraits
Sensitive and respectful memorial portraits created from photographs. A meaningful way to honour the memory of a loved one through fine art.
Academic & Institutional Portraits
Portraits of chancellors, professors, benefactors, and distinguished alumni for universities, schools, and learned societies.
Why Hazel Loves East Sussex
East Sussex has been an artists’ county for two hundred years. The painters of the Sussex Modernists — Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden, Peggy Angus and Vanessa Bell — found in the rolling chalk downland and the long line of the South Downs a landscape stripped down to essentials, and Charleston Farmhouse near Firle remains one of the most important Bloomsbury Group sites in the country. For Hazel, working in East Sussex feels like working in a landscape that painters have considered carefully and continuously for generations.
She admires the cultural depth the county has nurtured. Charleston, the home and creative hub of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, preserves both the house they painted onto every available surface and the wider Bloomsbury Group archive. The Towner Eastbourne, the De La Warr Pavilion at Bexhill, and the Jerwood Gallery in Hastings give the county one of the strongest contemporary art networks in the south. Lewes itself, with the Anne of Cleves House and the Lewes Castle Museum, anchors a thoughtful art and craft community.
Hazel’s East Sussex commissions come from a wide range of households. Around the South Downs villages — Alfriston, Firle, Glynde — she paints in handsome farmhouses with windows onto the chalk hills. Around Lewes and the Ouse valley, the briefs are often professional families and retired academics. Along the coast — Brighton, Hove, Seaford, Eastbourne — the commissions are more varied, often involving second-home owners and recently-retired creative professionals.
What Hazel loves most about East Sussex is the openness her clients bring to the conversation. Sussex people often have an unusual visual literacy — many have spent time at one of the county’s galleries or art schools — and that visual literacy makes for productive briefs.
How to Commission a Portrait from East Sussex
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in East Sussex. The process has been refined over hundreds of commissions to ensure a seamless experience for every client.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
The process begins with a complimentary consultation — by telephone, video call, or email — during which Hazel discusses your vision for the portrait. This covers the subject, preferred composition, size, background, clothing, and any particular details you would like to include. There is no obligation at this stage.
Step 2: Photographs & References
For clients in East Sussex, Hazel can work from professional photographs, high-quality personal photographs, or a combination of multiple reference images. She provides clear guidance on the types of photographs that produce the best results. Where feasible, live sittings can also be arranged.
Step 3: The Painting Process
Once the composition is agreed, Hazel begins painting. The process typically takes between six and twelve weeks depending on the complexity of the piece. Clients receive progress photographs at key stages so you can see the portrait taking shape and provide feedback before completion.
Step 4: Delivery & Framing
Completed portraits are professionally packaged for shipping. Shipping and framing costs are provided once the painting is complete. Hazel can also recommend master framers who specialise in fine art framing to complement your finished portrait. Clients in East Sussex typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Get in Touch for a Personalised Consultation in East Sussex
Every portrait commission is unique, and Hazel provides a personalised quotation based on your specific requirements. Factors such as the size of the canvas, the number of subjects, and the complexity of the composition are all discussed during an initial telephone consultation, which is entirely free and without obligation.
Hazel welcomes inquiries from clients in East Sussex and is happy to talk through your ideas at a time that suits you. Whether you have a clear vision or are simply exploring the possibility of commissioning a portrait, she looks forward to hearing from you.
Why Clients in East Sussex Choose Hazel Morgan
Hazel Morgan brings a rare combination of artistic excellence, professional reliability, and personal warmth to every commission. Here is what sets her apart:
Over 40 years of professional experience — Hazel has been painting portraits professionally since the early 1980s, amassing a body of work that spans hundreds of commissions for private, corporate, and institutional clients worldwide.
Award-winning recognition — Her work has been exhibited at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, and other prestigious venues. She is a member of several leading art societies.
A personal, one-to-one service — Unlike studio operations, every portrait is painted entirely by Hazel herself. You deal directly with the artist from first consultation through to delivery, ensuring your vision is faithfully realised.
UK and international shipping expertise — Hazel regularly delivers completed portraits to clients across the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, and beyond. Every painting is professionally packaged to arrive in perfect condition.
Complete satisfaction guaranteed — Hazel works closely with each client throughout the painting process. Progress images are shared at every stage, and adjustments are made until you are completely happy with the finished portrait.
East Sussex areas where Hazel’s clients live
Hazel’s commissions come from clients across the county, including in:
- Lewes, Glynde, Firle and the Ouse valley villages
- Alfriston, Wilmington, Berwick and the South Downs
- Brighton, Hove and Kemp Town
- Hailsham, Herstmonceux and the central Wealden country
- Eastbourne, Polegate and the South Downs eastern edge
- Battle, Crowhurst and the 1066 country
- Rye, Winchelsea and the Romney Marsh edge
- Heathfield, Mayfield and the High Weald villages
- Seaford, Newhaven and the Cuckmere valley
Ready to Commission Your Portrait?
Get in touch for a free, no-obligation conversation about commissioning a bespoke oil portrait — from live sittings at Hazel’s Wiltshire studio or from photographs, delivered across the UK.
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