Commission an oil portrait in County Durham 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 County Durham, from the Durham Dales and the high Pennines around Upper Teesdale to the cathedral city of Durham and the Wear valley.
The Art of Portrait Painting in County Durham
County Durham 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 County Durham and the wider County Durham 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 County Durham
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 County Durham
County Durham is sometimes overlooked in conversations about painterly counties, which Hazel has always thought unfair. The Durham Dales rise into the high Pennines with the kind of stark beauty that is hard to capture without losing oneself in clichés — Upper Teesdale, the moorland above Stanhope, the great waterfall at High Force. And then there is the city of Durham itself: its Norman cathedral and castle rising out of the wooded peninsula above the Wear, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.
The county has a remarkable artistic infrastructure for its size. The Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle — a French-château-style museum built by John and Joséphine Bowes in the 1860s and 1870s — holds an outstanding collection of European fine and decorative arts, including paintings by Goya, El Greco and Canaletto. Hazel has spent days there. The Durham University Oriental Museum and the Durham Cathedral Museum keep that scholarly weight alive in the city itself.
Many of Hazel’s County Durham clients come from families with a strong sense of regional identity — landowners in the Dales, retired ministers from the Wear Valley, university families around Durham itself. There is a quiet pride here that translates beautifully into portraiture, and Hazel finds the conversations she has with County Durham sitters often turn out to be among the most considered of any commission she undertakes.
The county rewards careful, slow work — and rewards it in turn with portraits that carry an unusual depth of regional consciousness.
How to Commission a Portrait from County Durham
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in County Durham. 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 County Durham, 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 County Durham typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Get in Touch for a Personalised Consultation in County Durham
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 County Durham 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 County Durham 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.
County Durham areas where Hazel’s clients live
Hazel’s commissions come from clients across the county, including in:
- Durham, Shincliffe and the cathedral city villages
- Barnard Castle, Romaldkirk and the Tees valley
- Stanhope, Wolsingham and the Weardale villages
- Bishop Auckland, Witton-le-Wear and the central county
- Sedgefield, Trimdon and the eastern villages
- Consett, Lanchester and the western country
- Chester-le-Street, Beamish and the northern Wear
- Crook, Tow Law and the upland villages
- Middleton-in-Teesdale, Forest-in-Teesdale and the high Pennines
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.