Commission an oil portrait in Lewes 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 Lewes, from the historic county town of East Sussex with its medieval castle and steep cobbled streets to the surrounding South Downs villages of Firle, Glynde and Rodmell.
The Art of Portrait Painting in Lewes
Lewes 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 Lewes and the wider Lewes 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 Lewes
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 Lewes
Lewes is one of those English market towns that has resisted being modernised into anonymity. The medieval Lewes Castle, the steep cobbled twittens running down to the river Ouse, the Norman priory ruins, and the great fifth-of-November bonfire tradition give the town a particular kind of fiercely-protected identity. The town sits on the river Ouse where it cuts through the South Downs, and the surrounding villages — Firle, Glynde, Rodmell, Iford — have a particular quality of small-scale beauty that has drawn writers and painters for generations. Virginia Woolf is buried at Rodmell.
She admires the cultural seriousness of the town. Anne of Cleves House, given to Henry VIII’s fourth wife as part of her divorce settlement, anchors a town with a remarkable concentration of historic buildings. The Lewes Castle Museum, the Charleston Farmhouse just outside the town (the Bloomsbury Group’s country base), and the Bonfire Night tradition complete a town whose cultural identity is unusually substantial.
Hazel’s Lewes commissions tend to come from professional and creative families who have moved into the town for its particular cultural atmosphere, and from estate and farming families across the surrounding South Downs villages.
What Hazel most enjoys about Lewes is the cultural seriousness her sitters bring. Lewes households are unusually well-read and visually literate, and the portrait conversations here are typically substantive.
How to Commission a Portrait from Lewes
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in Lewes. 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 Lewes, 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 Lewes typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Get in Touch for a Personalised Consultation in Lewes
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 Lewes 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 Lewes 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.
Lewes areas where Hazel’s clients live
Hazel’s commissions come from clients across the county, including in:
- Lewes town — the High Street and the twittens
- Cliffe, South Street and the eastern town
- Wallands Park, Nevill and the western suburbs
- Firle, Charleston and the South Downs villages
- Glynde, Glyndebourne and the eastern villages
- Rodmell, Iford and the Ouse valley
- Kingston, Iford and the southern villages
- Hamsey, Plumpton and the northern villages
- Ringmer, Glynde edge and the central country
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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