Portrait Painter West Sussex
Commission an oil portrait in West Sussex 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 West Sussex, from the chalk villages and downland of the South Downs National Park to the country-house estates around Petworth, Midhurst and Arundel.
The Art of Portrait Painting in West Sussex
West Sussex 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 West Sussex and the wider West Sussex 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 West Sussex
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 West Sussex
West Sussex is one of Hazel’s favourite counties to paint for — partly because of the light across the South Downs, and partly because the rhythm of life here, between the chalk hills and the Channel coast, makes time for the kind of slow, considered portrait commission she most enjoys. Petworth, Midhurst, Arundel, Goodwood — these places have set the visual register for English country portraiture for three hundred years.
The county’s art history is exceptional. Petworth House holds the National Trust’s most important fine art collection, with the room of Turner paintings he made during his stays as a guest of the third Earl of Egremont. Pallant House Gallery in Chichester has built one of the country’s most respected collections of modern British art, and the Cass Sculpture Foundation at Goodwood gives contemporary practice a real home in the South Downs. Hazel often visits Pallant House when she is in the area for a sitting.
West Sussex clients tend to take their commissions seriously. A Goodwood horse, a child in the gardens of a Petworth family home, a chairman whose office overlooks Chichester Harbour — these are commissions where the brief is detailed and the timeline is generous, which is exactly the combination Hazel works best with. The county rewards that careful, traditional approach.
She leaves every West Sussex sitting with a sense that the painting has somewhere worthy to go — a quality that genuinely shows in the finished work.
How to Commission a Portrait from West Sussex
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in West Sussex. 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 West Sussex, 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 West Sussex typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Get in Touch for a Personalised Consultation in West Sussex
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 West Sussex 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 West Sussex 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.
West Sussex areas where Hazel’s clients live
Hazel’s commissions come from clients across the county, including in:
- Petworth, Tillington and the Petworth estate villages
- Midhurst, Cocking, Easebourne and the western South Downs
- Arundel, Burpham, Slindon and the Arundel country
- Goodwood, Singleton and the racing/polo country
- Chichester, Bosham, Itchenor and the Chichester Harbour
- Pulborough, Storrington and the Wealden villages
- Horsham, Cowfold and the northern Weald
- Worthing, Findon and the southern downland
- East Grinstead, Forest Row and the Ashdown Forest 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.
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