Formal Portraits Formal portraits, as opposed to "head studies" or "portrait sketches" consider more of the context of the sitter and how it can support the idea of the person to be portrayed. They are often larger and more carefully composed. A bit like dressing smartly for a particular occasion, they might be more ceremonial, official, stately, decorous, but hopefully not stiff, or academic! If one paints at or just under life size heads, then the bigger the painting, the more delicate the balance between the face of the person and their surroundings.

Ian JonesIan Jones detailIan Jones detailJohn and Jack SkerrittSir Nicholas KenyonJoy BryerKathryn McDowellKathyrn McDowell detailBenita JonesTed Sandling