Portrait Painter Devon
Commission an oil portrait in Devon 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 Devon, from the steep coastal villages of the South Hams between Salcombe and Dartmouth to the moorland farms of Dartmoor and the red cliffs of the East Devon coast.
The Art of Portrait Painting in Devon
Devon 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 Devon and the wider Devon 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 Devon
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 Devon
Devon’s two coastlines — the dramatic Atlantic shore of the north and the sun-soaked South Hams running from Salcombe to Dartmouth — give the county a quality of light that is almost unique in England. Hazel notices it most in late afternoon, when the colours in the estuaries at Topsham and the Exe deepen into the kind of glazed amber that turns up in her own palette. Inland, the open moorland of Dartmoor offers something entirely different: a stripped, ancient landscape of granite tors and lone hawthorns that asks for restraint rather than detail.
Hazel admires the way Devon has nurtured a community of working artists for generations. RAMM (the Royal Albert Memorial Museum) in Exeter holds one of the finest regional collections of British painting, and the contemporary scene around the South Devon Arts Trail keeps that tradition active. The Burton Art Gallery in Bideford and the long-established summer exhibitions at the Plymouth Society of Artists are part of why her Devon commissions tend to come from clients who already think carefully about visual art.
Many of Hazel’s Devon clients live in farming families with land that has been worked for three or four generations, or in coastal villages — Salcombe, Thurlestone, Dartmouth — where the house itself often anticipates the portrait. There is a quiet expectation in those rooms that the finished painting will live there for a long time. That sense of continuity, of being commissioned into a place rather than just for a moment, gives the work a particular weight.
It is one of the reasons Hazel returns to her Devon commissions with such pleasure — and why the county quietly produces some of the most satisfying work she does.
How to Commission a Portrait from Devon
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in Devon. 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 Devon, 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 Devon typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Get in Touch for a Personalised Consultation in Devon
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 Devon 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 Devon 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.
Devon areas where Hazel’s clients live
Hazel’s commissions come from clients across the county, including in:
- Salcombe, Thurlestone, Bigbury and the South Hams coast
- Dartmouth, Kingswear and the Dart estuary villages
- Topsham, Lympstone and the Exe estuary
- Exeter, Pinhoe and the cathedral city villages
- Sidmouth, Beer, Branscombe and the East Devon coast
- Tavistock, Chagford and the Dartmoor villages
- Crediton, Bow and Mid Devon
- Bideford, Westward Ho! and the North Devon coast
- Lustleigh, Bovey Tracey and the south Dartmoor edge
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.