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.