100% Hand Drawn by Artist Robert Shirt— No AI or Digital Filters
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Reviews.

Portrait commission Artist
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@Roger Slater
Ordered a pencil portrait from Bobby as a surprise for my wife's 75th birthday. From the onset the whole process was very smooth , helpful and professional.--and he kept to the quote. The time schedule was kept and when a small alteration was requested on the initial portrait it was done without any hassle or extra cost. The final portrait was fantastic and the likeness remarkable. The framing was excellent--just as requested. My wife and I were absolutely delighted with the portrait--and would recommend Bobby without reservation.
Realistic Labradoodle coloured pencil portrait with soft curls and warm highlights, hand‑drawn on Stonehenge paper—lifelike Labradoodle pet portrait.
@Linda Harris
We lost our 13 year old labradoodle in September. She was the love of my husband’s life, so I ordered a bespoke portrait of her for his Christmas present. The whole process was extremely easy. I sent several photos to Robert and he chose one that he could work with. He kept me informed of the process and sent a photo of the finished portrait for approval. He had produced a beautiful picture in coloured pencils that exactly captured our doodles expression. Click For Full Review.....
@Chris93444
Our son presented us with a beautiful portrait of our Weimaraner completed by Bobby 2 years ago. We were so delighted with it that we commissioned Bobby to do a portrait of our now companion, Amber the Vizsla. Absolutely delighted with the portrait just received, thank you so much Bobby, you are extremely talented. I would recommend Bobby for any portraits you would like, perfect results everyone. Christine and John, Isle of Lewis
@Emma McD
We received our portrait of our beloved Barney yesterday who we recently lost.My husband and I are absolutely blown away by Robert’s amazing work, he has captured Barneys personality to a tee. We both would highly recommend Robert to anyone thinking of getting a portrait done. The communication was great, and the final piece is absolutely spot on. So happy 😊 . Thank you so much! Emma and Dale.
@Nel Gliksten
Bobby helped to create a coloured pencil portrait of my dog, who recently passed away. I was completely shocked - in the best way!! He managed to capture my dogs personality perfectly, and was super helpful and informative throughout the process. Would recommend to anyone!.
Beagle mix coloured pencil portrait
@Gabrielle Birch
We ordered a portrait of our dog to celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary (paper) and Robert made the whole process so streamline and special! Great communication and updates, super easy payment system, and the most wonderful portrait which captured his likeness perfectly. Thank you Robert for this piece, it will be truly treasured!
@Catherine Brotherton
Everything we could’ve wanted and more! We got a coloured pencil portrait done of our Labrador, he went above a beyond, capturing his personality perfectly! Thanks again so much!

Free Index

Why Choose Me To Create Your Portrait?

 
01
Full Insurance Coverage

Rest assured that your portrait will be delivered safely, no matter where you are in the world. In the unlikely event your portrait is lost or damaged during transit, I will recreate the work at no additional cost to you.

03
Risk Free Guarantee

Rest assured, if your portrait encounters any issues during transit, I will gladly recreate the artwork at no expense to you. Unlimited revisions are guaranteed to ensure your utmost satisfaction. Should adjustments be needed, I’ll continue to refine the work until it aligns perfectly with your vision. Your happiness is my priority, and if you’re not satisfied, you don’t pay.

02
Deposits & Pricing

For portraits featuring fewer than four subjects, no upfront deposit is necessary. For larger projects, a deposit ranging from 20-30% may be requested. Additionally, if framing is requested, the cost of the frame is collected upfront. No VAT will be added to the total. I provide clear and upfront pricing to ensure you know exactly what to expect, with no hidden fees.

04
Expertise & Experience

My portraits and paintings are meticulously hand-drawn using top-tier materials, ensuring exceptional craftsmanship. Unlike digital reproductions, you’ll receive the original artwork—not just a print. With over 20 years of experience as a portrait artist, I’ve completed thousands of commissions and garnered hundreds of reviews. I encourage you to explore the testimonials in my Reviews section to see the satisfaction of my previous clients.

You can order your portrait using the form below.

In most cases I won’t ask for a deposit, if there is over three subjects to be done ,then I may ask for a deposit of around 30%, however this will be discussed with you beforehand.
Any other questions on how to commission a portrait please contact me.

In the extremely unlikely event you don’t like the portrait, I will first try and rectify the problem.
If no compromise can be met then I will just leave it at that and won’t ask for a penny.
Please let me know if you have any other questions on how to commission a portrait.
contact.

If you think there is something not quite right with the subjects or subject in the portrait.
I will address this until you are fully satisfied, no quibbles.
If you have any other questions on how to commission a portrait.
Contact me today.

You can have your portrait delivered anywhere in the world, but you must contact me first for me to give you a delivery charge.

Different country’s may be subject to taxes, which the customer is responsible to pay, if you are unsure, I can find out for you.

Depends on the delivery service used, and how fast you need the portrait to you, to determine which courier it’s sent by if you have any concerns, just contact me first.
For none framed parcels they are sent via royal mail tracked 24.

Framed portraits are sent via a selection of couriers but all tracked.
For any other questions on how to commission a portrait, please let me know.

There are no additional fees such as VAT—the price you see is the price you pay.

For non‑standard portrait commissions, including full‑body portraits, buildings, vehicles, or other custom subjects, pricing will be discussed and agreed upon before any work begins.

If you have any questions about commissioning a portrait, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Yes your portrait is fully insured, not by the courier but by me.

In the unlikely event it’s lost or damaged, I will redo your portrait, but no refund is given.
I would have to re-book you in for the redo, please allow up to 4 weeks for the work to be finished, although, i will make it my priority where I can.
For any other questions on how to commission a portrait, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Graphite Portrait Prices

A4 10"13 A3 A2
1 £170 £180 £200 £260
2 N/A £255 £285 £330
3 N/A N/A £335 £390
4 N/A N/A £400 £460
5 N/A N/A N/A £500
6 N/A N/A N/A £540

FREE P&P (FULLY INSURED)

P&P Charges Apply outside uk mainland.

Band 1 From £60
30mm white stain 32mm white washed 30mm Mahogany Stain 30mm black stain 21mm oak barefaced 26mm white paint 26mm black wenge
25mm Ferosa Bronze 35mm Silver Leaf 34mm Gold Foil 35mm Alaska White 31mm Wallnut 45mm black paint 34mm oak barefaced 38mm mahogany stain
32mm Chaise Copper Foil 31mm lancaster black 47mm black wenge 47mm white stain 30mm ferosa pewter

Portrait Pricing
Current prices are based on head-and-shoulders portraits. Costs may change if:

  • Subjects are full-body

  • A background is included

  • Extra detail is requested

Numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.) indicate how many subjects are in the portrait. Final price depends on time and complexity.

Graphite is perfect for detailed and monochromatic portraits. Its ability to capture fine details and create a range of tones makes it ideal for realistic drawings

Stonehenge Papers (100% Cotton)

Stonehenge papers are a superb choice, offering excellent quality and durability. These papers are included in the price of a portrait commission and come in various shades to suit different needs:

Features of Stonehenge Papers:

  • 100% Cotton
  • Acid-Free
  • Chlorine-Free
  • Buffered with calcium carbonate

Best Medium for Stonehenge Paper:

  • Graphite: Excellent for detailed and monochromatic drawings.

Colour Portrait Prices

A4 10X13 A3 A2
1 £245 £255 £265 £330
2 N/A £310 £370 £440
3 N/A N/A £480 £520
4 N/A N/A N/A £560
5 N/A N/A N/A £620
6 N/A N/A N/A £670

FREE P&P (FULLY INSURED)

P&P Charges Apply outside uk mainland.

Band 1 From £60
30mm white stain 32mm white washed 30mm Mahogany Stain 30mm black stain 21mm oak barefaced 26mm white paint 26mm black wenge
25mm Ferosa Bronze 35mm Silver Leaf 34mm Gold Foil 35mm Alaska White 31mm Wallnut 45mm black paint 34mm oak barefaced 38mm mahogany stain
32mm Chaise Copper Foil 31mm lancaster black 47mm black wenge 47mm white stain 30mm ferosa pewter

Portrait Pricing
Current prices are based on head-and-shoulders portraits. Costs may change if:

  • Subjects are full-body

  • A background is included

  • Extra detail is requested

Numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.) indicate how many subjects are in the portrait. Final price depends on time and complexity.

Why Choose Colour Pencil Portraits?
Colour pencils offer excellent lightfastness, ensuring your portrait stays vibrant for years. They provide fantastic blending capabilities for smooth, natural transitions and allow for exceptional detail, making them perfect for capturing the unique textures and expressions in pet portraits.

Acrylic Portrait Prices

18"14 20"16 24"20 30"24
1 £380 £390 £420 £510
2 N/A £530 £590 £700
3 N/A N/A N/A £850
4 N/A N/A N/A N/A
5 N/A N/A N/A N/A
6 N/A N/A N/A N/A

FREE P&P (FULLY INSURED)

P&P Charges Apply outside uk mainland.

Band 1 From £60
30mm white stain 32mm white washed 30mm Mahogany Stain 30mm black stain 21mm oak barefaced 26mm white paint 26mm black wenge
25mm Ferosa Bronze 35mm Silver Leaf 34mm Gold Foil 35mm Alaska White 31mm Wallnut 45mm black paint 34mm oak barefaced 38mm mahogany stain
32mm Chaise Copper Foil 31mm lancaster black 47mm black wenge 47mm white stain 30mm ferosa pewter

Portrait Pricing
Current prices are based on head-and-shoulders portraits. Costs may change if:

  • Subjects are full-body

  • A background is included

  • Extra detail is requested

Numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.) indicate how many subjects are in the portrait. Final price depends on time and complexity.

Acrylic paintings offer a bold and striking way to showcase your subject.

Canvas:

Winsor & Newton Professional Canvas

For painted portraits, Winsor & Newton Professional Canvas is my go-to choice. These canvases feature an innovative pro-stretcher™ device and professionally constructed frames made from kiln-dried solid wood stretcher bars, ensuring durability and resistance to warping. While I may use other brands in certain circumstances, Winsor & Newton is a top preference.

Best Medium for Winsor & Newton Professional Canvas:

  • Acrylic Paintings: Winsor & Newton Professional Acrylics are the brightest acrylic paints available, using advanced resin technology for unmatched brilliance. These paints offer rich, intense, and deep colours, ensuring vibrant and durable portraits.

There are three ways you can store a photograph, either by scanner digital camera, or take a photo using your web cam.
Then send using the form below.
Always remember where your photos are stored, to send them via email have a look at this for 4 different ways to send.

For any other questions on how to commission a portrait, send me an email or give me a call.

Let’s work together

Drop me a message, or fill out the contact form below, and let's create something special together.

What Sizes do you use for your drawings?

Choosing the Right Size

  • A4: A compact size suitable for individual portraits. Easy to frame and display on walls or mantels.
  • 10×13: Offers more room to capture finer details, striking a balance between display space and ease of hanging. Ideal for 1-2 subjects.
  • A3: Provides ample space for significant detail, ideal for creating statement pieces in prominent areas. Suitable for 1-4 subjects.
  • A2: Offers even more room for impactful displays, great for larger spaces or creating focal points. Suitable for family compilation drawings of up to 7 subjects.

Size Specifications:

  • A2: 420 × 594 mm / 16.5 × 23.4 inches
  • A3: 297 × 420 mm / 11.7 × 16.5 inches
  • A4: 210 × 297 mm / 8.3 × 11.7 inches

For Painted Portraits on Canvas:

  • 18″x14″ Small: Ideal for 1 subject, head and shoulders style.
  • 20″x16″ Medium: Ideal for 1 subject, full body or head and shoulders style.
  • 24″x20″ Large: Suitable for 1-2 subjects.
  • 30″x24″ Larger: Suitable for 1-4 subjects.

These are standard sizes but I can work to any dimensions within reason.

Payment Information:

Some payment methods come with a surcharge as follows:

  • Bank transfer: 0% fee
  • PayPal: 3.4% + £0.20 handling fee
    • PayPal Pay in 3: Split your payment into three interest-free monthly installments.
  • Credit/debit cards: 1.2% plus £0.30 handling fee

All fees are automatically charged at the checkout.

Click here for full instructions on how to make a payment.

Solid Wood Frame / Rebate..

High-quality, robust frames with a wooden core, custom-made to each customer’s specifications and sourced from a leading gallery supplier. The rebates of the frame are also sealed with an aluminium tape to protect from acid migration, naturally found in wood.

2mm Perspex Glazing

This standard 2mm Perspex glazing provides superior UV protection compared to standard 2mm thick glass frames.

Conservation Mountboard

For framing original artworks. Conservation grade mount board made from chemically purified wood pulp and then alkaline buffered.

MDF Backing board.

Standard backing board, made from 4mm thick mdf, this sits to the rear behind the moisture barrier and barrier board.

Lignin free Barrier Board.

The artwork will be t-hinged onto this board, offering a stable base and protecting it from acid migration from the backboard over time.

T-Hing

The artwork is t-hinged onto the barrier board to ensure longevity, using archival materials and easily replaceable if needed.

Polyester Moisture Barrier.

Archival, polyester moisture barrier, to add extra protection from damp conditions, although not recommended to hang in damp areas.

Sealing / Fixtures.

Finally the frame is sealed using framers tape to the rear, this also adds an extra layer of protection as well as, stopping tiny creatures entering the inner structure of the frame. All frames come with fixtures and fittings.

See here for frame prices.

Framing Service Bobbys Hand Drawn Portraits

You can have your portrait done from separate photo’s, but try to get the light source on the photographs similar to each other, (although this can be adapted).
Any other other questions on how to commission a portrait, please email me today.

Posts that should be helpful.

Coloured pencil – Oil-based.

When it comes to oil-based pencils, my go-to choice is Prismacolor pencils and Derwent Lightfast. These pencils boast creamy cores that are ideal for blending, shading, and layering, making them a favorite among artists. With pigments of unmatched quality, The soft, thick cores are perfect for achieving smooth shading and creating shadows with ease. Additionally, Prismacolor & Derwent Lightfast pencils are known for their lightfastness and richly saturated pigments, ensuring long-lasting and vibrant results.

Superior, 100 Colour Pencils

Derwent Lightfast Pencils have been formulated to be 100% lightfast. The revolutionary core is resistant to prolonged colour change.

Price List Bobbys Hand Drawn Portraits

Revolutionary oil-based core

Derwent Lightfast features an oil-based, opaque and vibrant coloured core, that is 100% lightfast. You can get smooth, velvety laydown of colour and when mixed with oil mediums, the pencil colour can behave more like an oil paint.

Premier® Soft Core Colored Pencil 

Bring out the soft side of any illustration or art project with Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils featuring soft cores. Inside the box you’ll find 150 colored pencils featuring creamy cores that are the artist’s choice for blending, shading, and layering. Prismacolor colored pencils have pigments of unmatched quality and leads that are strong enough to be sharpened to a precision point. That means you can effortlessly switch between powerful lines, delicate blends, and silky shadowing.

Price List Bobbys Hand Drawn Portraits

Graphite Pencils.

The graphite pencil scale classifies pencils based on the hardness of their lead and the darkness of the mark they produce on paper, creating a range of grey tones. This medium relies solely on shades of grey for its effect.

For intricate details, I frequently employ a fine mechanical pencil with 0.5mm leads, as they offer precision and control.

Acrylic Paints

Winsor & Newton Professional Acrylic stands out as the brightest range of acrylic paints available. Leveraging extensive expertise in color formulation and the latest advancements in resin technology, they have elevated brilliance to new heights. The colors in Winsor & Newton Professional Acrylic are unmatched in their richness, intensity, and depth, offering unparalleled quality.

For canvases, I choose Windsor & Newton Professional Canvas, which features an innovative pro-stretcher™ device. These canvases boast professionally constructed frames crafted from kiln-dried solid wood stretcher bars, ensuring durability and resistance to warping.

Paper:

Stonehenge Papers (100% Cotton)

Stonehenge papers are a superb choice, offering excellent quality and durability. These papers are included in the price of a portrait commission and come in various shades to suit different needs:

    • Pearl Grey: Ideal for creating highlights, especially in light or white-coloured areas of a pet portrait.pearl grey e1720182101714  
    • Fawn: Great for making certain elements stand out and pairs well with oak frames.
    • fawn e1720182163245
    • White: Perfect for all pencil-based mediums, particularly for graphite drawings.
      white e1728597885463
    • Kraft: Perfect for Lighter coloured pets, white/cream based pets, this will really let the colour stand out.
      kraft
  •  
    • Winsor & Newton Professional Canvas

      For painted portraits, Winsor & Newton Professional Canvas is my go-to choice. These canvases feature an innovative pro-stretcher™ device and professionally constructed frames made from kiln-dried solid wood stretcher bars, ensuring durability and resistance to warping. While I may use other brands in certain circumstances, Winsor & Newton is a top preference.

Best Medium for Winsor & Newton Professional Canvas:

    • Acrylic Paintings: Winsor & Newton Professional Acrylics are the brightest acrylic paints available, using advanced resin technology for unmatched brilliance. These paints offer rich, intense, and deep colours, ensuring vibrant and durable portraits.

The parcels are only packed using the best possible product available at that time.

Unframed portraits are sandwiched between 3.5mm hardboard sheets, the portrait is kept safely in an archival polyester envelope, then parceled up in a cardboard folder, to keep the paper perfectly flat, to ensure no creasing occurs during shipping.

All portraits are fully insured against loss or damage.

For any other questions  don’t hesitate to contact me.

In some cases, I will treat the portrait surface with a Windsor and newton professional portrait fixative, the main idea behind these sprays is to stop the medium from smudging, and to fix it to the paper, it can also help reduce glare from light, especially with graphite medium.
For any other questions on how to commission a portrait, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Yes I have over 1000 customer reviews over the years, you can see them all here.

See here for pricing charges & options.