Commissioning a memorial portrait is a tender thing to do.

It is not just about creating a likeness. It is about honouring someone’s life in a way that feels truthful, and giving yourself (or your family) something steady to return to when words run out.

If you are considering a memorial portrait, here are a few practical, gentle things that can help you make decisions without feeling rushed.

Framing a watercolour well is not about being precious or fussy. It is about protecting paper  and giving the artwork the kind of finish it deserves.

Watercolour is pigment sitting in (and on) paper fibres. That means the framing choices around it matter more than most people realise. The good news is you do not need to memorise a hundred technical terms. You just need to know what actually affects longevity and what is mostly sales talk.

Choosing the right reference photo is the single biggest factor in how your watercolour portrait turns out. Not because I need a “perfect” photo, but because watercolour is honest – it translates light, shape, and atmosphere in a very direct way. A strong photo gives us something solid to build on, so the finished portrait can feel both true to the person and true to the medium.

If you’re commissioning a portrait (for a child, a partner, a memorial, or a gift), here’s what to look for.

If you’re considering commissioning a portrait, the first question usually isn’t whether you want one – it’s what kind. Watercolour and oil portraits can both be deeply personal, heirloom-level pieces, but they behave very differently as mediums. That affects everything from how the portrait feels, to how it’s displayed, to what you can reasonably expect from the process.

This guide will help you choose with clarity (and without the jargon).