Commissioning a Portrait in Washington, Washington DC
If you are looking for a portrait artist in Washington, Hazel Morgan offers a truly personal fine art service to clients throughout Washington, Washington DC and the surrounding area. With over four decades of professional experience, Hazel has built an international reputation for creating exquisite hand-painted oil portraits that capture the character, warmth, and individuality of each subject.
Whether you live in the heart of Washington or in the wider District of Columbia region, commissioning a portrait from Hazel is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Portraits can be painted from professional photographs, personal snapshots, or - where practical - from live sittings arranged at a location convenient to you.
Portrait Artist Washington Area
As your trusted Portrait Artist Washington, Hazel Morgan serves portrait clients in Washington and the surrounding communities. Portraits are shipped directly to your door with professional packaging and full insurance coverage.
How to Commission a Portrait from Washington
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in Washington, Washington DC. The process has been refined over hundreds of commissions to ensure a seamless experience for every client.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
The process begins with a complimentary consultation - by telephone, video call, or email - during which Hazel discusses your vision for the portrait. This covers the subject, preferred composition, size, background, clothing, and any particular details you would like to include. There is no obligation at this stage.
Step 2: Photographs & References
For clients in Washington, Hazel can work from professional photographs, high-quality personal photographs, or a combination of multiple reference images. She provides clear guidance on the types of photographs that produce the best results. Where feasible, live sittings can also be arranged.
Step 3: The Painting Process
Once the composition is agreed, Hazel begins painting. The process typically takes between six and twelve weeks depending on the complexity of the piece. Clients receive progress photographs at key stages so you can see the portrait taking shape and provide feedback before completion.
Step 4: Delivery & Framing
Completed portraits are professionally packaged for shipping. Shipping and framing costs are provided once the painting is complete. Hazel can also recommend master framers who specialise in fine art framing to complement your finished portrait. Clients in Washington typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Why Clients in Washington Choose Hazel Morgan
Hazel Morgan brings a rare combination of artistic excellence, professional reliability, and personal warmth to every commission. Here is what sets her apart:
Over 40 years of professional experience - Hazel has been painting portraits professionally since the early 1980s, amassing a body of work that spans hundreds of commissions for private, corporate, and institutional clients worldwide.
Award-winning recognition - Her work has been exhibited at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, and other prestigious venues. She is a member of several leading art societies.
A personal, one-to-one service - Unlike studio operations, every portrait is painted entirely by Hazel herself. You deal directly with the artist from first consultation through to delivery, ensuring your vision is faithfully realised.
International shipping expertise - Hazel regularly ships completed portraits to clients across the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond. Every painting is professionally packaged to arrive in perfect condition.
Complete satisfaction guaranteed - Hazel works closely with each client throughout the painting process. Progress images are shared at every stage, and adjustments are made until you are completely happy with the finished portrait.
Frequently Asked Questions - Portrait Commissions in Washington
Hazel provides personalized quotations after an initial telephone consultation, during which she discusses your specific requirements. The consultation is complimentary and entirely without obligation. Please get in touch to arrange a convenient time to talk.
Not at all. The majority of Hazel’s commissions are painted from photographs, which makes the process convenient for clients in Washington and beyond. Hazel provides guidance on the best types of photographs to supply. Live sittings can be arranged where practical.
Most portraits are completed within six to twelve weeks from the start of painting, depending on the complexity of the commission. Hazel provides a realistic timeline during the initial consultation. Rush commissions can sometimes be accommodated for special occasions.
Hazel has extensive experience working with a range of photographic references, including older or lower-resolution images. She can often combine multiple photographs to create a single cohesive portrait. During the consultation, she will advise on whether your available photographs are suitable.
Completed portraits are professionally packaged using custom-built crating and shipped via insured courier directly to your address in Washington. Shipping and framing are quoted separately after the portrait is completed.
Client satisfaction is paramount. Hazel shares progress photographs at key stages throughout the painting process so you can provide feedback and request adjustments. This collaborative approach means that by the time the portrait is complete, it faithfully reflects your vision.
Why Hazel Loves Washington
Washington D.C. holds a singular place in Hazel's imagination as a city where history, civic pride, and genuine human story converge in ways that feel almost made for portrait work. What captivates Hazel about the capital is the extraordinary depth of its cultural institutions - the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, housed in the stunning Old Patent Office Building, stands as perhaps the most fitting landmark imaginable for an artist devoted to the painted portrait. Sharing its space with the American Art Museum, this institution represents exactly the tradition Hazel honors in every commission she accepts. Beyond the Mall, she is drawn to the character of neighborhoods like Dupont Circle, with its celebrated gallery scene anchored by venues such as the Kreeger Museum on Foxhall Road, and to Capitol Hill, where the Eastern Market has been a gathering place for community life since 1873. These are places where real people with real stories live - and those are precisely the stories Hazel is passionate about preserving in oil.
The cultural calendar of Washington further deepens Hazel's admiration for the city and its residents. The Washington Jewish Music Festival, the National Cherry Blossom Festival drawing visitors to the Tidal Basin each spring, and the vibrant arts programming along the 14th Street Corridor all speak to a community that takes culture seriously and personally. Hazel is moved by the way Washingtonians honor both grandeur and intimacy - from the soaring monuments along the National Mall to the warmth of neighborhood institutions like Busboys and Poets in Shaw. The Anacostia River waterfront's ongoing transformation and Rock Creek Park's natural beauty winding through the city's heart remind Hazel that Washington is far more layered than its political reputation suggests. For Hazel, every family, every individual, and every milestone in this remarkable city deserves to be commemorated with the same care and permanence that the city itself has always demanded - and that is exactly what she brings to every bespoke oil portrait she creates for Washington clients.
Ready to Commission Your Portrait?
Begin with a complimentary, no-obligation consultation. Hazel would love to discuss your portrait ideas and provide a personalized quotation for clients in Washington, Washington DC.
Request a Free Consultation