Portraiture Artists: Looking back to Connie Pratt pastel workshop on Cape Cod

That is me, second from the left.

It's always fun to look back and remember some of the fantastic workshops I was able to attend, as I was learning about fine art portraiture! Here is a photograph taken by Connie Pratt (Constance Flavell Pratt). Connie was an excellent teacher who gave a demo in the am the first Monday of the weeklong workshop, and then let us learn by painting all day, every day for the rest of the week. There was a new model each day and we spent the entire day painting (in pastel) each one!

I learned so much from the time at the easel and with her fine critiques. When you are really trying to make progress you take all critiques with the intention of improving.

Connie taught me some very subtle things about pastel and I'll always be grateful to her for that.

When I saw her last, with her lovely sister Jane, Jane said they'd agreed I was her best student, which was very kind of them.


Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Christmas Secrets— Shh...commission

One of the more rewarding aspects to my work is working on Christmas Secrets... Santa's workshop gets quite busy this time of the year, as these paintings are under time contraints to be put carefully bundled and put on the sleigh. In the past I've painted portraits of children, both group and individual portraits for the gift giver. Children love to be in on secrets like this and pose for photos and maybe a quick sketch— and other times a really good digital photos is all I need.

This year I am painting a surprise painting for Christmas for a family in the Boston area. To make it easier on the person who commissioned this painting, I will have it framed and varnished, so all he will need to do is to wrap it up and put it under the tree...


Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Best Luxury gifts for her, Luxury Gifts for Men who have everything, Great Birthday Gifts: Commission a portrait

One of the most exciting parts of my job is working with clients for special occasion gifts such a birthdays, anniversaries and weddings.

Married clients may choose to have their wife painted or their children. I've painted many woman for their birthday gifts and many children for anniversary gifts.

Engaged couples may choose a special place that is meaningful to have painted for a wedding gift.

Children might ask for a special place to be painted for their parents or to have their parents painted.

It is a great honor to me to be asked to paint for these occasions and always joyous to hear how happy the recipient is.

I have gift certificates available if you'd like for the recipient to be in on the decision-making for the painting.


Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Paint my Photo: Commission a portrait, Wedding photos can make lovely memorable paintings

While the vast amount of my work is of contemporary portrait subjects and settings, once in a while I'm asked to paint posthumous paintings and other types of works.

Recently I was asked to paint an oil from an existing photo from about 50 years ago. The widower had recently lost his beloved wife. I was happy to oblige. In this case I utilzed a range of photographic reference and was very pleased to hear from him that I was spot on in capturing his wife! It was rewarding to put more color into the piece to make their skin tones fresh and believable as well as to create her floral bouquet.


Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Custom Oil Portraits: Photo from Client: Triple portrait framed, gifted and hung in Georgia!

Hearing from my clients and receiving word that the custom oil portrait has been framed, hung and is being enjoyed by all is one of the most rewarding aspects to my work. I have also found that framed original artwork adds a level of enrichment to a home that cannot be matched by prints or other works. Portraits go even deeper than this and provide an everlasting record of one's love for the portrait aubjects.

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Christmas Secrets...shh...Custom oil portrait—Triple portrait delivered to the South in time for Anniversary gift!

This custom oil portrait was a delight to do in anticipation of an anniversary gift for a husband as a gift to his wife. The painting traveled to Georgia in time for the special day. Christmas secrets in July, what can be better...

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Commission a Portrait, Children's portraiture: Sketch for latest triple portrait

Here is a quick sketch I did for a new client for an custom oil portrait I'm working on: it shows the relationships between the children and the composition and facial expressions. My sketches are usually quick so that I can give my oil paintings the gift of genuine feeling rather than a robotic repetition/coloring of a sketch—something can get lost if an image has been sketched over and over again sometimes.

Children's Portraiture: Charcoal portrait of young girl for family in Connecticut

It's always a pleasure to get back to drawing. Here is my latest piece done for a family in Connecticut.

Photographer's credit: Donna Padowitz Photography


Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Custom Oil Portraits, Please stop by and visit: new website is up: Commissions and Fine Art: Sonia Hale

I have been gathering my creative forces to put together my new Custom Oil Portrait website with adult and children's portrait paintings. Please visit it at website: www.soniahale.com

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Custom oil portraits: children's portrait paintings: William

Dudley
oil on linen
28" x 22"
private collection

To go to my children's portrait commissions gallery

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Cape Cod Artists: the coast looking to Vineyard Sound

This view took my breath away last summer—even more than the views of the famous lighthouse at Gay Head. The sense of the light reflecting and glistening off the coast was quite notable.



Looking to Vineyard Sound
oil on linen
24" x 36"

Click here to purchase

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Oceanside: Seascapes of Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard

I am starting to paint from some sketches and reference of my Cape Cod vacation time last summer. Here are a few of my newest works.




Chatham Lighthouse Beach
oil on linen
24 x 30

Click here to purchase

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.