Portrait Commissions by Philip Shaw

Original paintings created from your photographs, designed to capture character, place and story

Philip Shaw offers a limited number of private portrait commissions each year, creating original paintings in watercolour and oil for families and collectors.

Each commission begins with your photographs and ideas, developing into a carefully composed painting that reflects the character of the subject and the setting around them.

Commissions range from children’s portraits and family scenes to wildlife subjects and landscapes, with each piece approached individually.

The Process

The process begins with an initial conversation to understand your brief, followed by a review of photographs and reference material. Philip will advise on composition, scale and medium before beginning the painting. Throughout the process, there is the opportunity to review progress, ensuring the final piece reflects what you had in mind.

Commission Options

Commissions can include:

Children’s portraits
Family scenes
Wildlife subjects
Landscape paintings

Each commission is developed as a one-off piece, tailored to the subject and setting.

If you would like to discuss a commission, please get in touch using the enquiry form below.

Initial conversations are informal and without obligation.

Start a Commission Enquiry
Family Portrait
Watercolour painting of a young boy with curly blonde hair running on Polzeath beach towards the ocean, holding a green net, with cliffs in the background on a cloudy sky day.
Watercolor painting of two children running on a beach with blue sky, white clouds, and cliffs in the background.
A watercolor painting of a person riding a horse along a rural farm path. There are barns and trees in the background, with a partly cloudy sky overhead.
Watercolour painting of a sailboat named 'x hale' on the ocean with two people onboard, one waving, under a cloudy sky.
Watercolor painting of a boy in blue clothes and grey boots running on a sandy beach with calm water and distant hills and birds in the sky.
A watercolour painting of a coastal scene in Kenya with blue sky, wispy clouds, a hillside with trees, and houses near the shore.
Watercolor painting of a young girl in a pink top and striped shorts walking on the beach by the ocean with clouds in the sky.
A watercolor painting of two children and a dog walking on a beach towards the water with blue skies and fluffy clouds overhead.
A watercolor painting of a young boy with curly blonde hair sitting on a dock, hugging a brown dog while looking out at a calm body of water. The boy wears a striped blue shirt, and the scene is peaceful and serene.
A watercolor painting of a house with a red-tiled roof, surrounded by greenery and trees, under a partly cloudy sky. The house has multiple windows and a chimney.
Watercolour painting of a sitting yellow Labrador retriever puppy with floppy ears, looking slightly to the side, on a white background.
A watercolor illustration of a young girl in a red winter coat and hat sitting next to a large dog, petting its back, with snow and icy trees in the background.
Portrait
Watercolor painting of two children walking on a sandy beach, holding hands, wearing matching striped blue and white outfits with hoods, with the ocean and sky in the background.
Watercolor illustration of a snowy town square with children playing musical instruments, a polar bear, penguin, a Christmas tree, and buildings with Christmas decorations.
House Portrait
A watercolor illustration of two children in red and white striped pajamas sitting on a beige carpet near a fireplace, looking up at flying fairy dolls. One child is pointing upward. There is a tag with "NOYAH BLUE" on the floor near the children. Th
Watercolour Portrait
Watercolor painting of a house on a hill overlooking a pond, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
A watercolor painting of a girl and boy at the beach, standing barefoot on the sand by the water, with the girl in a hat and a striped green and white dress, and the boy in a blue shirt and patterned shorts, holding a blue bucket and a toy shovel.
Watercolor painting of two children with blond hair looking over a fence at a green field and trees in the distance, under a cloudy sky.
Watercolor painting of a large, traditional house with a stone wall and gate in front. The house has a pitched roof, multiple chimneys, and windows with small panes. Trees and clouds are depicted in the background. The painting is signed "TAL CYN 202

  • “Philip has a wonderful gift to produce magical family memories with his powerfully simple watercolours. In particular he totally captures the essence of children. I highly recommend Philips work.”

    Julie W.

  • “Philip (aka Tall Chin) is a hugely talented artist who manages to capture that perfect memory with his gentle brush strokes. We commissioned him for just that of our 4 children which he did beautifully. Everyone needs a Tall Chin original!”

    Tomas F

  • “Philip painted a wonderful picture of my three boys on a beach. From a photo he really managed to capture the moment. The whole thing was blissfully simple and efficient and Philip was quick to reply to any questions I had.”

    Hamish B