Wynyard Hall portrait | Graphite pencil drawing

WYNYARD HALL
STOCKTON-ON-TEES, UK

Portrait size: 12" x 24"
​Completed: 7th September 2013
31st July 2013
" Hi Karen
I've just been looking at your website and wondered if you could help. I am due to get married on the 15th September at Wynyard Hall, Billingham and for our guest book my fiancée and I would like to commission a pencil drawing of the hall, that people can then sign around the outside of and leave their well wishes etc... Probably on the framing border. Is this something you could do? "
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The commissioned graphite pencil portrait of Wynyard Hall in Billingham, UK was undertaken for a couple who wanted a special portrait to display as part of their wedding event. Given the vast expanse of the subject, it was concluded that the most optimal size to meet the needs of the clients would be a portrait measuring 12 inches by 24 inches. Although I do not promote graphite pencils as a medium, it remains a bespoke offering for select instances like this where the efficacy of graphite surpasses that of colour. In this article, I delve into the intricate process of the commission and showcase the impressive and meaningful results.
After several email exchanges to confirm measurements and discuss framing options, Andy expressed his preference for a 4-inch wide mount. This generous space would allow guests to sign it during the day. I suggested the inclusion of a plaque denoting details of the event. Ultimately, he decided on a dual mount, featuring a cut-out window in the top layer for a silver plaque to sit inside. The plaque would include the wedding venue and date. The drawing process can be observed in the images displayed below.
As most online photographs are protected by copyright and necessitate authorisation from the photographer and because Andy did not have any personal images, I took the initiative to reach out to Wynyard Hall via their official website. Fortunately, they kindly granted me permission to utilise a high-resolution photograph from their own site in order to produce this customised piece, which allowed me to zoom in and capture the necessary details. Converting a coloured photograph into a black and white image for use as a reference in artwork is not an easy task. This is because the process often results in shadows becoming dull or disappearing entirely. To ensure that the primary subject remained the focus, I removed the trees on the left of the picture and minimised those on the right. Throughout the process, I provided Andy with regular updates by sharing photos on my website and through email. He provided valuable feedback, noting the absence of a window on the left side of the building. While this detail was obscured by foliage in the reference photo, I was able to incorporate it into the design by sourcing additional images online.
As the portrait neared completion, the client, Andy, inquired about the possibility of framing it in a simple black frame. He planned to travel from Manchester to collect the portrait himself two days before the wedding instead of receiving it unframed through postal delivery. With the imminent collection day, the likelihood of our busy framers completing the framing before the deadline seemed slim. Nevertheless, the framers managed to fulfil the request within a remarkably short timeframe. Residing in Chesterfield at the time, I had the opportunity to inspect the framed portrait and capture photographs prior to the client's scheduled collection the following day. Commencing the drawing on August 13th, I concluded it just over 3 weeks later, on September 6th. Ordinarily, a portrait of such scale would necessitate approximately 5 to 6 weeks for completion without framing. However, if someone has a specific completion date in mind, I will always try to accommodate it.​
Customer Testimonial
"The artwork was truly amazing - we were blown away when we went to collect it from the framers.
We could probably have gone for at least another inch or so on the mount, as so many people wrote such kind messages on there that space ran out very quickly. It is however, still an extremely special keepsake. 
Thank you again for doing such an incredible job!"

Commission your own portrait

Seeking a custom-made portrait? Perfect as a wedding gift or for a special occasion. I guarantee a comprehensive and empathetic approach to meet your portrait requirements from the initial contact. My goal is to encapsulate the true essence of your portrait in each unique, handcrafted piece, ensuring its longevity. For further details, take a look at my commissions page or reach out to me via email at: ​[email protected] to share your ideas.
As the artist of this portrait, having acquired permission from Wynyard Hall to use the reference photo with no copyright restrictions attached. This enables me to utilise the piece for a variety of purposes, including prints and licensing opportunities. Given the venue’s broad appeal, this portrait carries substantial value as a treasured keepsake. If you’re interested in purchasing a print or using this artwork for non-commercial* purposes, feel free to contact me.

Scenario 1

​Q1: " Me and my fiancée are getting married at Wynyard Hall this year and came across your drawing of the hall on your website. We would like to use this on the order of service for the day, would this be okay? "

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Scenario 2

​Q2: " My partner and I are getting married at Wynyard Hall this August, and we love your pencil sketch of it. Ideally, we'd like to use the sketch on our wedding sign and wedding book print for people to sign. Is it possible that you sell the digital image so that it can be printed on a board? If so, how much would this cost? "

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​A: Thank you for reaching out regarding the potential use of my Wynyard House artwork. I am able to offer a non-commercial* usage license for this image in exchange for a nominal fee. The specific fee will be determined based on your specific requirements.
​*Non-commercial = Cannot be used for monetary gains.