Bespoke portraiture
Commission a Portrait
A portrait is a conjuring. It takes months, and it takes two people: the sitter and the painter, and a conversation that runs between them until the person is there on the canvas, looking back. Marcus takes on a small number each year.
“Every painting begins with a story.”
Most commissions begin with someone we cannot bear to lose sight of. A portrait keeps them in the room, at the age they were, in the light they were in. Each is painted around the person and the place it will live.
Fine art portrait commissions are most of what Marcus paints. A custom portrait begins with a conversation about who it is for and where it will hang, and ends with a hand-painted oil portrait made to outlast everyone in the room.
He paints from sittings where possible and from photographs where not, in his studio in the UK, and takes on a small number of portrait commissions each year so that each one gets the months it needs. Private portraits, family portraits and portraits for institutions are all welcome.
How a commission works
Portrait commissions
A painted portrait keeps someone in the room: a child at an age that will not come again, a parent, a partner, a friend. Months of paint, so that the person is still there when you look up.
What distinguishes my portraits is the ability to look beyond the surface and capture the true character of a sitter. Whether it is a smile, a glance or an unspoken story, every detail is rendered with care and intention.
Abstract commissions
Fill a space with energy and emotion through a vibrant, expressive abstract painted to harmonise with its room. These works are made to inspire creativity, serenity and connection.
My abstracts are collaborations with the energy of a space. Inspired by emotion, movement and spiritual connection, I use layers of colour to make work that resonates with both the physical and emotional qualities of its surroundings.
Pricing
Portrait commissions begin from £5,000 and go up from there. Every commission is quoted individually according to size, complexity and materials, and you will have a written proposal within a day of our conversation.
Good to know
- There is a waiting list. New commissions begin about a year from the first conversation.
- Corporate and institutional projects by enquiry.
- Worldwide delivery, packed and insured.
- Every commission begins with a detailed written quote.
Selected portrait commissions
Marcus Callum
Marcus Callum is an internationally recognised painter of realist portraits and expressive abstracts. Winner of the Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize and the Black Swan Portrait Prize and a three-time Archibald Prize finalist, he trained at the New York Academy of Art and now works from his studio in the UK.
“My paintings take on an energy of their own,” he says. Each one is made to lift the room it hangs in.
In their words
“I was immediately drawn to Marcus's work when I saw him as an Archibald Prize finalist. His style, colour, and technique were exactly what I was looking for - something with real depth. The portrait of my younger daughter is more than just art; it captures a moment in time and holds great personal significance. Working with Marcus was a seamless and friendly process, and the final piece exceeded all expectations. It’s no surprise it won the Shirley Hannan Portrait Prize. Marcus perfectly captured Meg's essence - her complexity, curiosity, and quiet strength. I would highly recommend Marcus to anyone seeking an exceptional portrait artist.”
Dean Curotta
“When I first saw the completed portrait, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Marcus captured not just my image, but the essence of who I am, both as a person and in my role within the church. The portrait reflects my identity in a way that feels deeply respectful and true.”
Father Miltiades Chryssavgis
Questions
- Can I commission a portrait or an abstract painting?
Both. I take on a small number of portrait and abstract commissions each year. If your idea sits well with the way I paint and leaves room for creative freedom, I would be delighted to make it with you.
- How much does it cost to commission a painting?
Portrait commissions begin from £5,000 and go up from there. Every commission is quoted individually according to size, complexity and materials, and you will have a written proposal within a day of our conversation.
- Do you offer prints?
Yes. Museum-quality giclée prints of several paintings are made to order on archival paper or canvas, framed or unframed, and capture the depth and colour of the originals at a more accessible price.
- I have another question
Use the contact form or email info@marcuscallum.com and I will reply as soon as possible.
Read more
The journal has a detailed guide to portrait commission pricing, sittings and timescales.
Read how a commission is priced