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Whether you're planning ahead for a birthday, a special occasion or just looking for a special keepsake, commissioning a portrait with me is a straightforward process.
This guide will walk you through the different mediums you can choose from, how to place an order, framing options, and what to expect with timescales. My goal is to make sure you feel completely confident and excited about booking your special portrait with me.
If you’ve left it too late to secure a portrait in time for the special event, there’s still a thoughtful option available. I provide gift vouchers in any amount, giving your recipient the freedom to commission their own portrait whenever they choose. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to ensure they receive a truly personal gift, even if the deadline has passed.
Northumberland artist Karen M Berisford at the easel, working on a coloured pencil drawing of her Springer Spaniel, Casper
Why Should You Book a Portrait with Me?
If you have come across my website, you may be considering the question, "Why should I book a portrait with you?" Your visit may be motivated by my proximity or my focus on pet portraits. Below, I provide some information about my work ethics to help you feel confident in selecting me to create a portrait that is truly meaningful to you.
I’m a self-taught artist with over 35 years’ experience in coloured pencils and more than 20 in acrylics. My focus is realism, but not in the sense of simply copying a photo. I take time to study the details that reveal character, posture, expression, the subtleties that make someone or something recognisable beyond the surface. This approach gives the portrait depth and meaning. It’s not just a likeness, it’s a considered interpretation. A photograph might capture a moment, but a portrait offers something more sentimental. It’s built with care, and made to last. 
To create portraits that stand the test of time, it is vital to use only the finest archival, acid-free materials. Every step of my artistic process is infused with a commitment to quality. I carefully choose an array of archival and lightfast products, including GOLDEN acrylics, Caran d'Ache Luminance, and Derwent colored pencils, all paired with acid-free and archival surfaces. These intentional choices not only enhance the longevity of each piece but also amplify the vibrancy of colours. The rich hues you encounter in the finished artwork are crafted to remain brilliantly bright, preserving their depth and clarity for generations to come.
A coloured pencil drawing of a couple and their French Bulldog in a simulated frame
Which medium should I choose?
If you are interested in exploring the different mediums featured in my artwork and would like to gain insight into the detailed process involved in creating my portraits, I have included a selection of informative YouTube videos below. These videos demonstrate techniques such as the careful layering of vibrant coloured pencils and the dynamic application of acrylic paints.
These videos offer an in-depth exploration of each medium, illustrating not only the techniques I employ but also the thought and creativity that go into every piece. Both provide a rich and engaging insight into my artistic approach and the journey of bringing a portrait to life.
Feel free to subscribe to my You Tube channel if you wish to stay up-to-date on my latest work, behind-the-scenes content, and upcoming projects. How to Book Your Custom Portrait: A Simple GuideIf you’re considering booking a portrait with me, I am always available to answer any questions you may have. I’ve also provided comprehensive information here that will help you understand what to expect when commissioning a portrait with me.
An oil pastel painting in progress of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Timescales
I don't follow a strict first-come, first-served queue. Instead, I manage my workload based on customer deadlines. My work is very detailed, so I can only take on a limited number of portraits each month.
I rotate between multiple pieces at once to keep my creative flow fresh and to ensure I can accommodate clients with urgent requests. This allows me to fit in a rush order without impacting the completion dates of other portraits. If you're in a hurry, consider a coloured pencil portrait. Unlike acrylics, they don't require any drying or varnishing time. Acrylic paintings need one to two weeks to fully dry and be varnished, which is a crucial step before framing. 
An acrylic painting in progress of a young girl and her grey horse
What happens next?
Once the details of your commission are agreed, a 50% deposit (payable by bank transfer or PayPal) secures your booking. When the portrait is underway, I’ll create a private page for you on this website and share the link, so you can follow progress as the work develops. You’re welcome to keep in touch during this stage if you’d like any adjustments made or simply have questions.
When the portrait is finished, I’ll upload an image to your page for your approval. Acrylic paintings are then varnished and, if you’ve chosen framing, prepared accordingly. Coloured pencil portraits are carefully packaged at this stage. Once the final balance has been settled, the portrait is securely packed and dispatched. Within the UK, delivery is via a tracked 24-hour service. International orders are sent by special delivery, with arrival typically within 5–7 working days. 
An acrylic painting commissioned of a father and son embracing at his wedding
Do you Only Create Pet Portraits?
No. Alongside bespoke pet portraits, I also produce portraits of loved ones and special events. These make considered gifts for occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, or weddings, and can offer a respectful way to commemorate those who are no longer with us.
Each piece is crafted with care and attention to detail, aiming not just to reflect appearance but also to convey personality, love, and treasured memories. 
If you’d like to explore the possibility of a custom portrait, my online form is the best place to start. You can upload a favourite image or two and share your ideas, whether detailed or just a starting point. I’ll take a close look and get back to you with a no-obligation quote and a sense of how your vision could be brought to life. Alternatively, you’re welcome to get in touch directly or explore further details through the links below.
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This Christmas, I was inundated with commissions. I had to complete five within six weeks, presenting a significant challenge. Typically, a single portrait takes three to five weeks, so this period was exceptionally hectic. Nevertheless, all commissions were finished and dispatched to customers well within the deadline. Below, I have provided the details of each commission, the final portraits, and the accompanying customer testimonials.
Discover three bespoke commissions: two vibrant Springer Spaniels in acrylics and a heartwarming triple portrait featuring a couple and their adorable French Bulldog, meticulously rendered in coloured pencils. Buddy - Springer Spaniel Portrait in AcrylicsThe client, Esther, commissioned a portrait of her Springer Spaniel, Buddy, as a Christmas gift for her husband, Steve. She selected a favourite photo, and I created several mock-ups for her to choose from. The final reference was a composite of five images, body, head, tail, background, and flowers, all merged to form a cohesive scene. Balancing lighting across these sources was challenging, but the high-quality photos provided enough detail to achieve a natural, unified result. 
The grass alone took the most time, with each blade applied in three layers to build depth. The chosen size allowed for a full-body portrait, which gave the piece its intended impact. For commissions with scenic backgrounds, I begin by painting the landscape in detail, then refine the areas where subject and setting meet. In Buddy’s portrait, I aimed for a richly textured foreground with a softly blurred background to draw focus to the subject.
You can discover more about the process of Buddy's portrait here.
"I'm sitting looking at Buddy in pride of place on the wall, photo attached! It is absolutely lovely and it had the desired effect on Steve when he unwrapped - there were tears!! Everyone that has seen it has said how amazing it is with the amount of fine detail and so Buddy. If I manage to get a decent photo of Buddy next to it I will send it on! Thank you once again, it is lovely to have a painting of Buddy forever." Dudley - Springer Spaniel Portrait in AcrylicsThe client, Andrea, commissioned a portrait of Dudley as a Christmas gift for her mother. Although they provided a favourite photo, it was too small and pixelated to support the level of detail required. However, she was able to provide additional images which was taken in natural light, which allowed me to accurately capture Dudley's distinctive features, rich brown tones, and subtle markings. These references were essential in achieving a realistic and characterful result. 
The early stages of an acrylic painting often appear chaotic. Acrylics dry quickly, which can be challenging at first, but with experience and control, this quality becomes an advantage. I find their fast drying time ideal for building detail with precision, allowing me to work efficiently and layer complex textures without delay. In Dudley's portrait, I spent particular care on the blades of grass, layering them to ensure the sunlight fell naturally and enhanced the warmth of the scene.
To learn more about how Dudley’s portrait came together, visit his page here.
"Just wanted to let you know that mum loves her portrait and we all cried our eyes out when we first saw it. What you've done is so special and we couldn't have asked for a better painting to remember him by. It captures his brilliant personality so well. I'll definitely be recommending you to my spaniel loving friends! Diarmid, Max & Kyla - A Couple and their French Bulldog Drawing in Coloured PencilsDiarmid kindly sent over a lovely reference photo featuring himself, his partner Max, and their charming French Bulldog, Kyla, captured during a visit to Pennan in Aberdeenshire. They were standing in front of the iconic red telephone box made famous by the film Local Hero, a well-known landmark that adds a touch of cinematic history to the village. While the phone box itself was a strong compositional element, the remainder of the background offered little visual value, so we agreed to simplify the setting. To retain a sense of place without distraction, I inscribed ‘Pennan’ discreetly in the corner of the finished portrait, a subtle nod to the location that keeps the focus on the trio’s character and connection. 
The original image, taken on a mobile phone, lacked clarity in some of the finer details, particularly around facial features and Kyla’s expression. Fortunately, the precision afforded by coloured pencils allowed me to restore the sharpness and bring out the individuality of each subject with care. I thoroughly enjoyed working on this piece, it was a pleasure to create such a meaningful moment into a highly realistic portrait. I always welcome a challenge, especially when it involves capturing the warmth and personality of both people and pets in a way that feels true to life.
"Hi Karen , Hope you had a lovely Christmas. Wanted to drop you a note to say that Max absolutely loved the portrait! She couldn't believe how well you'd captured the detail from the photo and was thrilled to pieces! We've already recommended you to friends and family and am sure we'll use your amazing skills again in the the future. Have a great New Year!! Diarmid" Pyppa & William - Bearded Collies in Coloured pencilsThis portrait was commissioned by my friend Jet as a Christmas gift for her mum, Ann. At 11" x 17", it was a custom size chosen to accommodate a double portrait of her two Bearded Collies, Pyppa & William. Given the density and length of their coats, along with the need for anatomical accuracy, a larger format was essential to preserve detail and proportion. 
For every portrait I create, I retain a printed outline of the composition. If a client later requests a second piece to match an earlier one, I can use that outline to ensure the sizing and layout remain consistent. This portrait was designed to match a second portrait of Ann’s two dogs, 8 years apart, created after she lost Pyppa and William. The two portraits are shown below in a virtual room setting created using the ArtStage app.
Kita - Akita dog in Acrylics
This Christmas commission was created from very limited reference material. Most of the photos were taken with flash, which distorted the colour and obscured finer details. Although the pose was strong, the image lacked clarity, so I researched the breed and used careful interpretation to guide the painting. Drawing on years of experience in pet portraiture, I added detail beyond what the photo provided. Each hair was painted with a fine brush, and through layered brushwork, I was able to enhance the realism and bring Kita’s likeness to life.
You can read more about his portrait and how it came together here. 
If you're considering a commission, whether it's a portrait of your pet, a loved one, or a landscape that holds meaning, for a special moment or event, you can explore each option by clicking the images below to learn more about what’s involved.
To request a no-obligation quote or book a portrait, you’re welcome to fill in the form or contact me directly. This article was first published in 2016 to document a graphite pencil commission of Wynyard Hall, it has been updated in 2025, to include current information about commissioning graphite portraits, particularly for weddings, engagements, and other milestone occasions. Back in 2013, I was approached by a couple planning their wedding at Wynyard Hall, Billingham. They wanted a graphite pencil drawing of the venue to display on the day, something guests could sign around the mount as part of their celebration. It was a thoughtful idea, and one that turned into a striking centrepiece. Rather than being purely decorative, the drawing was integrated into the celebration itself.  A custom-ordered, non-standard-sized piece designed to commemorate a wedding day. With no personal photographs available, I contacted Wynyard Hall directly and was granted permission to use one of their high-resolution images. After receiving approval, I commenced work on the portrait. The final piece measured 12 by 24 inches, tailored to suit the scale of the building and the couple’s plans for guest messages. Though I don’t routinely promote graphite commissions, it remains a selective option for architectural subjects where tonal control and detail are paramount.  Framed before the big day! We worked through framing options to ensure the mount could accommodate handwritten notes, although the mount could have been wider due to the amount of people wanting to sign it on the day. The couple opted for a simple black frame, coupled with a dual mount and a silver plaque inset, engraved with the venue name and wedding date. These details made the piece personal without overwhelming the composition, especially as the messages would play such a large part.  The completed portrait featuring the well wishes of wedding guests inscribed on the mount. The drawing was completed in just over three weeks, ahead of the couple’s collection date. Framing was arranged locally and finished in time for their trip to collect the portrait, just in time for their wedding. While large-scale commissions typically require more time, I will always do my best to accommodate specific deadlines, especially when the portrait is tied to a wedding or milestone event. This Wynyard Hall commission remains one of the most emotionally resonant wedding pieces I’ve produced. Custom-made wedding portraits and for other special ocassionsIf you're considering a graphite pencil portrait as a gift, whether for a wedding, birthday, or simply to mark a meaningful moment, pricing and commission details are listed below. I’ve outlined the commissioning process in detail in ‘Portraits As Gifts: 'A Guide to Commissioning Meaningful Art’, or use the booking form to request a no-obligation quote. To get started, just send over a favourite photo, or message me if you'd like help choosing. This helps me understand the kind of portrait you're after and how best to approach it.
These are a small collection of my early graphite pencil portraits, completed between the 1990s and early 2010s. Subjects range from portraits of children, pets, and loved ones marking significant birthdays or milestones. Each piece was created with close attention to tone, likeness, and character, qualities I continue to prioritise in all current commissions. If you're considering a colour portrait, I also work in coloured pencil, acrylic, and oil pastel. Each medium offers a distinct finish, but all are suited to highly realistic work. You can explore the links below to learn more about each option and how they might suit your subject. |
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Images and text within this website are Copyright of Karen M Berisford 2010 - 2026
No content should be used, copied or distributed in any way without express consent from Karen M Berisford
No content should be used, copied or distributed in any way without express consent from Karen M Berisford