Studio commissions · Worldwide
Send photographs. Get back something nobody else could have given them.
A commission is drawn away from the noise, over days rather than minutes, in pencil or watercolour. Nick builds the person's life into it — the job, the dog, the car, the running joke — so what arrives is a portrait of a character, not just a likeness.
Nick Bronowski
A family in Switzerland
Watercolour on paper
Private commission
What people commission
Usually because nothing off a shelf will do.
Retirements & leaving gifts
The piece that gets presented at the end of a career and then hangs in a hall for twenty years. Nick will work in the in-jokes, the department and the story if you brief him on them.
Milestone birthdays
Sixtieths, seventieths and the ones where nobody can think what to buy. A drawing of the person, containing the things they actually care about, solves it.
Weddings & anniversaries
Given on the day or sent afterwards. Couples, families and the whole wedding party, drawn in pencil or watercolour.
Corporate gifts
Client thank-yous, board presentations and long-service awards. Nick has produced bespoke pieces for companies wanting something that isn't another engraved decanter.
How a commission works
You see it before it's finished, not after.
01
Send your photographs
A few clear photographs of the subject, plus anything that matters — a hobby, a car, an in-joke, the reason for the gift.
02
Agree the idea
Nick sketches the concept and confirms the scene, style and size with you before any final artwork begins.
03
The piece is drawn
Worked up by hand in pencil or watercolour. You see progress and can steer it while it's still on the board.
04
Delivered ready to frame
The original artwork is packed and sent to you. Digital files for printing or cards can be supplied on request.
Commissioned work
Pencil, watercolour, and a lot of asking questions.
Each of these started as a conversation and a handful of photographs.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Watercolour on paper
Rishi Sunak
Watercolour on paper
Rock-It Logistics
Watercolour on paper
Lord's Cricket Ground
Pencil on paper
Independent winemaker, Tuscany
Pencil on paper
Three businessmen
Pencil on paper
A family in Switzerland
Watercolour on paper
A family in the USA
Watercolour on paper
Commission questions
What people ask before they brief.
What photographs does Nick need?
A few clear, well-lit shots of the face from different angles — phone photographs are fine. If the piece involves a setting, a hobby or a particular car, boat or building, send references for those too.
Can you put several people in one piece?
Yes, and group pieces are some of the most popular. Family scenes, teams and departments all work — the more people involved, the more Nick will want to talk through the composition with you first.
How long does a commission take?
It depends on complexity and how busy the event diary is. Straightforward single portraits move quickly; large group watercolours take longer. Tell Nick the date you need it for and he'll be honest about whether it's achievable.
Can we use the artwork for printing?
Yes. Pieces have been used as wine labels, greetings cards and gifts for whole departments. Digital files for reproduction can be supplied alongside the original — mention it when you enquire.
What does it cost?
Live events are priced on hours, location and guest numbers; commissions are priced per piece depending on complexity and the number of people in it. Send your details and you'll have a firm price within 24 hours — no obligation.
Enquiries
Tell Nick who it's for and when you need it.
Send a couple of photographs with your enquiry if you have them — it's the fastest route to a firm price.