Commission an oil portrait in Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands, from the dramatic Atlantic cliffs of Yesnaby to the medieval St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall and the prehistoric heart of Mainland.
The Art of Portrait Painting in Orkney Islands
Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands and the wider Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands
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 Orkney Islands
Orkney is one of the most extraordinary archaeological landscapes on earth. The UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness and Maeshowe represents some of the most important Neolithic remains in northern Europe, all within a few miles of each other on the Mainland. The light over the Orkney landscape — long summer evenings and brief winter days — has a particular quality that has drawn writers, musicians and painters here for centuries. For Hazel, working in Orkney is working in a place where time genuinely operates differently.
She admires the cultural seriousness of the islands. The Pier Arts Centre in Stromness holds an internationally significant collection of twentieth-century British art, including major works by Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and the St Ives painters — donated by Margaret Gardiner, who had close personal connections to the artists. The Orkney Museum at Kirkwall, the Stromness Museum, and the annual St Magnus International Festival of music and the arts complete a cultural offer that rivals much larger places.
Hazel’s Orkney commissions are rare but always memorable. They tend to come from families who have either moved to Orkney for the quality of life or who have generations of island heritage. The portraits often carry an unusual stillness — the islands’ light and pace produce something different from mainland work.
What Hazel most enjoys about Orkney is the deliberate quality her sitters bring. People who choose to live in Orkney have typically chosen carefully, and that quality of intentional placement translates into unusually settled portraits.
How to Commission a Portrait from Orkney Islands
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in Orkney Islands. 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 Orkney Islands, 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 Orkney Islands typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Get in Touch for a Personalised Consultation in Orkney Islands
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 Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands 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.
Orkney Islands areas where Hazel’s clients live
Hazel’s commissions come from clients across the county, including in:
- Kirkwall, St Magnus and the central Mainland
- Stromness, Skara Brae and the western Mainland
- Birsay, Brough of Birsay and the north Mainland
- Dounby, Harray and the central villages
- Holm, Tankerness and the eastern Mainland
- Burray, South Ronaldsay and the linked southern isles
- Rousay, Egilsay and the northern isles
- Hoy, Lyness and the western isles
- Westray, Papa Westray and the far northern isles
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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