Portrait Painter East Lothian
Commission an oil portrait in East Lothian 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 Lothian, from the golf links of North Berwick and Gullane to the rolling farmland and chalk-stream country around Haddington and the Garleton Hills.
The Art of Portrait Painting in East Lothian
East Lothian 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 Lothian and the wider East Lothian 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 Lothian
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 Lothian
East Lothian is one of the most genuinely pleasant counties to paint in. The coast running east from Edinburgh through Aberlady, Gullane, North Berwick and Dunbar is famous for its golf courses — Muirfield, North Berwick, Gullane Hill — but it is also one of the sunniest stretches of the Scottish coast and one of the most consistently lit. Inland, the gentle Garleton Hills, the chalk-stream villages around Haddington, and the great country houses of Lennoxlove and Tyninghame give the county a quietly aristocratic character.
She admires the cultural confidence of the region. National Galleries of Scotland’s outlying houses — Duff House in Aberdeenshire, Paxton House just over the Borders boundary, and the loaned collections at Lennoxlove and Newhailes — give the county access to important portrait holdings within a short drive. The John Muir Country Park and the John Gray Centre in Haddington add local cultural identity.
Hazel’s East Lothian commissions tend to come from professional and aristocratic families. The golf-coast villages — Gullane, North Berwick, Dirleton — produce family portraits in handsome stone-built houses with views toward the Bass Rock. The hunt country around Haddington, Garvald and the Lammermuir foothills produces equestrian work. Lennoxlove (the Duke of Hamilton’s seat) and Tyninghame house produce occasional grand-family commissions.
What Hazel most enjoys about East Lothian is the unhurried confidence her sitters bring. East Lothian people make a real occasion of a portrait, and the conversations during a sitting are typically substantial.
How to Commission a Portrait from East Lothian
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in East Lothian. 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 Lothian, 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 Lothian typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Get in Touch for a Personalised Consultation in East Lothian
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 Lothian 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 Lothian 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 Lothian areas where Hazel’s clients live
Hazel’s commissions come from clients across the county, including in:
- North Berwick, Dirleton and the eastern golf coast
- Gullane, Aberlady and the central coast
- Haddington, Pencaitland and the central county
- Dunbar, East Linton and the eastern coast
- Tranent, Ormiston and the western villages
- Garvald, Gifford and the Lammermuir foothills
- Musselburgh, Wallyford and the Edinburgh fringe
- Cockenzie, Port Seton and the harbour villages
- Longniddry, Drem and the central coast
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.
REQUEST QUOTE