Portraits
The opportunity to commission a unique portrait.
A portrait from life is as much a painting about the artist being observed as a representation of the sitter. It is a dialogue between the artist and sitter that is translated into paint on canvas, capturing the character of the sitter and the moment of recognition on the part of the artist.
I have been painting portraits for the past seven years. Sittings take between two and four hours and up to a couple of weeks to complete the painting depending on how I see the sitter and how I decide to describe them.
The portraits are painted in oils on a range of substrate including canvas, linen and wood. They are usually supplied unframed but edged in a gilt foil. Framing is available as an option.
I am now taking sittings in the studio or at location, as well as continuing with online sittings via Zoom.
You can view examples of my online portraits here.
Latest Work
The Poet, David Hughes
David Hughes is a well known figure in Swansea and an accomplished poet of long standing.
David sat for me while we chatted about his writing and made notes in a little notebook he carries everywhere. He writes his poems in longhand, and his sheets, with crossings out and corrections, offer an insight into his thought process. I have included fragments of his workings for the poem "Staregazing - Aber Prom" about a murmuration of starlings he observed in Aberystwyth.
Dave's glasses are typically worn on his brow as he talks, and I particularly liked the small reflection of a yellow square that they picked up from a computer in my studio.
Dave Hughes the Poet
© Simon Goss MA 2023
Oil on canvas with gilded edges. 50x60cm
Awards
This portrait recently won first prize at the Neath Open Art Competition run by Queen Street Gallery, Neath.
Charlotte
This oil on linen portrait of a young woman was the result of a commission to mark her beginning Medical School.
It was made from one sitting in my conservatory and from reference photographs taken at the time. It is always a challenge to portray a red-haired complexion successfully and I introduced a dark green background in order to balance the colour of the hair.
Charlotte is a determinedly positive person and I wanted to convey her optimism and strength of character with a slightly uplifted chin and a gentle smile on her face.
The sitter asked that I include her favourite necklace.
Charlotte
© Simon Goss MA 2023
Oil on linen with gilded edges. 30x40cm
Richard Mylan
My recent work includes a double portrait of the actor Richard Mylan. I met Richard at the Swansea Writer's Circle towards the end of last year and was immediately struck by his enormous energy. I asked if he would sit for me and found him to be a fascinating subject, both his look and personality. I had the idea of having him hide half of his face with his hand to convey the dichotomy of an actor taking on a role.
I took several photographs for reference with each hand up in turn to give me options. I was fascinated to find that each side of Richard's face looked very different, which seemed to illustrate the idea that an actor needs a split personality to function. What began as a single portrait became a double, and took a further month to complete. They are oil on stretched canvas, each painting is 50x60cm with gilded edges.
Oil Portraits
Sit for me
If you've ever considered having your portrait painted, or to have a loved one commemorated, I am taking in-person sittings or
online commissions via Zoom. Contact me to arrange a session where I will make sketches and take photographs/screenshots while we talk. I will then paint an original portrait on stretched wrapped-edge canvas using the source material. The service is available for Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia.
Prices
Small (400x300mm) - £750
Medium (500x400mm) - £1,250
Large/Double portrait (600x450mm) - £1,750
All prices are unframed and do not include postage. Framing can be arranged on request.
Testimonial
“I was introduced to the versatile, Brynaman born and bred artist – Simon Goss through ‘Facebook’ where a friend of mine, Welsh Fashion Celebrity - Huw Fash shared a portrait of himself painted recently by Simon.
Simon’s paintings are exceptionally realistic and capture the multifaceted characteristics of his subjects, sincerely and brimming full of life. Arranging to have portraits of my mother and father was easy, convenient and reasonably priced. Simon chatted and sketched with ease over Zoom while my parents sat comfortably at home in their lounge and consequently we have as a family in the year 2020 an amazing gift of two wonderful portraits that will be appreciated over the years to come. I am extremely pleased with the finished portraits. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Simon.”
Ceri
(Posted with the sitter's permission)
Tysteb
"Mi ddes ar draws yr artist cain amryddan - Simon Goss sy’n enedigol o Frynaman wrth i’r dylunydd ffasiwn a cyflwynydd teledu - Huw Fash rhannu ei bortread ar ‘Facebook’. Mae lluniau Simon Goss yn hynod o realistic ac yn dangos cymeriad amlochrog eu ngoddrychau yn driw ac yn llawn bywyd.
Mi roedd trefnu i gael portreadau o fy mam a’n nhad yn hawdd,hwylus a rhesymol eu pris. Sgwrsiodd Simon yn glen dros Zoom tra’n braslunio’r lluniau wrth i’m rhieni eistedd yn gyfforddus yn eu lolfa. Ac felly mae gennom ni fel teulu anrhegion arbennig ar gyfer nadolig 2020 a portreadau a wneith y teulu werthfawrogi dros y blynyddoedd sydd i ddod. Mi rwyf yn bles dros ben gyda’r lluniau gorffonedig. Diolch o galon Simon. "
Ceri
(Wedi'i bostio gyda chaniatâd yr eisteddwr)
Framing
Portraits can be supplied framed if required. The photograph shows a comparison of the three sizes offered and the two styles of framing. The black frames are painted wood and the silver are brushed aluminium. Other styles/materials can be sourced if preferred. Frames are supplied with hanging wire already attached.
I recommend a tray style frame (custom sized to each portrait, as each canvas varies a little in size from another). These do not include glass and are therefore easier and lighter to ship.
