Oil Portrait Artist
Commission a Portrait
Commission an oil portrait by award-winning artist Hazel Morgan. With over 40 years of fine art expertise, Hazel creates hand-painted portraits from live sittings & photos.
A Renowned Portrait Painter Crafting Timeless Masterpieces
In the world of fine art, few disciplines are as challenging and rewarding as portrait painting. Capturing the essence of a person on canvas requires a deep understanding of both technique and emotion. Among the most celebrated portrait painters today is Hazel Morgan, a true master of her craft whose work has been recognised for its ability to transcend the ordinary and deliver timeless pieces that speak to the soul.
The Art of Portrait Painting
Portrait painting is an ancient art form that has evolved significantly over centuries. While the essence remains the same — capturing the likeness and spirit of a subject — modern portrait painters like Hazel Morgan have brought new dimensions to the practice. A portrait painter must balance technical proficiency with an artistic intuition that allows them to see beyond the physical appearance of their subjects.
Hazel Morgan exemplifies this balance. Her portraits are renowned for their attention to detail, but it is the emotion and presence she infuses into her work that sets her apart. She is not just capturing a moment in time; she is preserving the essence of her subjects, creating a lasting tribute that resonates with viewers for years to come.
A Journey to Excellence
Hazel Morgan has walked a considered path to follow in the footsteps of the great Masters who inspire her work — Sargent, Velasquez, Munnings, Constable and Van Dyke. Over four decades she has honed a practice that can capture what she sees and reach into the soul of her subject, painting each horse as if it were her own and each person as if she had known them for years. Read more on the About Hazel Morgan page.
Portrait Painting Services
Hazel Morgan offers a full range of bespoke oil portrait services — each hand-painted on canvas using the classical techniques she has perfected over four decades of professional practice:
How to Commission a Portrait
Commissioning a portrait with Hazel is a personal, collaborative experience designed to deliver a work of art you will treasure for a lifetime. The process begins with a complimentary consultation to discuss your vision, preferred style, size and timing. Hazel works from live sittings or high-resolution photographs, and progress photographs are shared at key stages so you can provide feedback before completion. Full details are on the Portrait Painting Process page.
The Joy of Commissioning an Oil Portrait
There's something inherently special about commissioning a portrait, especially when it's crafted by an acclaimed artist like Hazel Morgan. Such a commission offers a unique avenue to immortalise a cherished moment, weaving it into the fabric of family history for generations to witness.
Clients often read the Portrait Client Testimonials before making enquiries — and many return commission after commission. Portraits also make extraordinary gifts: Portrait Painting Gift Vouchers are available in a range of values.
Most Popular Reasons to Commission a Portrait Painting
- Out of admiration for an individual, with no particular date in mind.
- As a one-of-a-kind gift to mark a wedding, retirement, graduation or anniversary.
- To commemorate a loved one who has passed — a posthumous portrait from photographs.
- For corporate or institutional archives — CEOs, partners, honoured members.
- To record a beloved pet or champion horse with the same care given to any subject.
Serving Clients Across the United States and Worldwide
Hazel serves portrait clients in every state across America and internationally. The entire commission process — from the initial consultation to final delivery — can be conducted remotely, with no need to travel to her studio. Every portrait is shipped with professional packaging and full transit insurance, arriving at your door ready to hang.
Ready to Commission Your Portrait?
Begin your portrait journey today. Contact Hazel Morgan for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation.
Request a ConsultationWhy Commission a Portrait Painting from Hazel Morgan?
To commission a portrait from Hazel Morgan is to commission an heirloom — a singular work intended to be cherished, displayed and passed down for generations. As a leading portrait artist with over four decades of experience, Hazel Morgan creates oil portraits that capture the personality, dignity and story of every sitter. Every commission is hand-crafted from the first preliminary sketch through to the final varnish, painted entirely by Hazel herself with no studio assistants.
Clients across the United States and Canada commission a portrait painting from Hazel for a wide range of reasons — to mark a milestone retirement, to honour a parent, to celebrate a graduation, to immortalise a beloved family pet, or simply to leave a meaningful heirloom for the generations to come. Whatever your reason for commissioning a portrait, Hazel will guide you through every stage of the process with care, discretion and an artist's eye for what truly matters.
An Award-Winning Portrait Artist Trusted Across America and Canada
Hazel Morgan is regarded as one of the most accomplished portrait artists working in oils today. Her commissions have been collected by private clients across the United States and Canada, and her work is regularly exhibited at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters in London. From chairmen, founders and university presidents to private families seeking a meaningful tribute, clients commission a portrait from Hazel because they know it will be honoured for generations.
As a portrait artist whose work has been described as "one of the finest of her generation", Hazel paints in a contemporary classical style — capturing a faithful likeness while bringing out the warmth, character and quiet dignity of every subject. Each portrait is signed and ready to be passed down for generations.
How to Commission a Portrait Step-by-Step
The process to commission a portrait painting is more straightforward than most clients expect:
- Initial conversation — discuss size, style, budget and the story behind the commission.
- Reference gathering — either a live sitting or a curated set of high-resolution photographs (most American and Canadian clients commission a portrait from photos).
- Preliminary studies — Hazel produces thumbnail compositions and a colour study before touching the final canvas.
- The painting — typically eight to twelve weeks on the easel, with progress photos shared at every milestone.
- Approval and delivery — final review, varnishing, framing if required, and worldwide shipping (insured) directly to your door.
Bespoke Oil Portraits for Families, Children, Couples and Pets
One of the most common reasons clients commission a portrait is to immortalise the people (and animals) they love. Hazel paints individual portraits, couples, family group portraits, children's portraits, equestrian portraits and pet portraits in oil. Every commissioned portrait is painted on the highest grade of artist linen, using lightfast oils that have been used by master portrait artists for over five hundred years.
Memorial and Posthumous Portrait Commissions
A growing number of clients commission a portrait painting in memory of a loved one. Working sympathetically and discreetly from photographs, Hazel creates posthumous portraits that bring comfort, dignity and presence back into the home. As a portrait artist who has navigated this delicate process many times, she takes great care to honour both the subject and the family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commissioning a Portrait
How long does it take to commission a portrait?
From the date a deposit is paid, most oil portraits take between eight and twelve weeks to complete. For Christmas and milestone deadlines, faster timelines are often possible — please get in touch as early as possible.
Do I need to sit in person, or can the portrait be painted from photos?
Hazel paints from both live sittings and high-quality photographs. Many clients in the United States and Canada commission a portrait from photos, with one or two video calls so Hazel can study lighting, expression and personality.
What is the experience of commissioning a portrait with Hazel Morgan?
Commissioning a portrait with Hazel is a personal and considered process from beginning to end. Each commission is treated as a one-of-a-kind work — there are no templates, no studio assistants, and no two portraits alike. Hazel guides every client personally through the consultation, sittings or photographic reference, the painting itself, framing options and final delivery. Discretion and confidentiality are assured throughout.
Will my portrait be shipped to the United States or Canada?
Yes — Hazel ships completed portraits worldwide, with insured door-to-door delivery to clients across the United States and Canada. All shipping, framing and customs paperwork is handled on your behalf.