From your photo…
From photo to painting
Every portrait starts with a photograph. Here are the photos Christine worked from, taped beside the paintings she made from them, with the story behind each one.
Ten stories, then more paintings ofdogscatshorsesother animals
one side… 
…and the other 
2 photos, Belton Horse Trials
Both sides of a Great Dane
Christine took these photographs during her exhibition at Belton Horse Trials. Dianne couldn't decide which side of her Great Dane's magnificent head to paint, so they chose a portrait showing both sides, to show the different markings. She was extremely pleased with the result.
emailed from Australia 
1 photo, sent by email
Malachy, from the other side of the world
Christine met Sian, who lives in Australia, on her exhibition stand at Crufts. Back home, Sian emailed photographs of her Vizsla, Malachy, winner of “Best Head” in Australia. Christine sends work all over the world, so emailing photos is a simple way to start.
the chosen pose 
A Christmas present
A horse for Mum
After having her dogs painted, Dawn decided on a horse portrait for her mum as a Christmas present. Once the photographs were taken and the favourite pose chosen, Dawn used a payment plan to spread the cost over a few months.
watch it being painted →
photographed one… 
…at a time 
2 photos, taken at the studio
Lilly & Jodie, together
After winning the Crufts Kennel Club Portrait Competition, Janet brought her two Patterdale Terriers to the studio to be photographed. Lilly, 6 months, and Jodie, 4 years, are the best of friends. To get the best expressions, Christine photographed them one at a time, and together they chose the best for the portrait.
watch it being painted →“It's like they will jump out of the picture, you have their characters perfectly.”
Janet
no full-body photo 
A head pose, with leaves added
Chloe in the leaves
It was hard to get a full-body photo of Ann's cat, Chloe, so Christine suggested a head pose, based on her painting of the tabby cat looking out through the leaves, and painted in extra leaves and foliage.
“Absolutely gorgeous! I am so thrilled with it. Thank you so very much. You are very talented and have captured her look. Her eyes are superb.”
Ann
Not sure your photos are good enough?
Read the photo tips, or book a photo shoot and Christine will take them for you.
for the pose 
for the head 
2 photos, taken at home
A Weimaraner, lying down
Christine visited this lovely Weimaraner at home. The client wanted a full-body pose, so they chose a lying-down position. Working from one photo for the pose and a close-up for the head, Christine placed the dog in an outdoor scene with a hint of greenery behind.
by the stable 
Medium, framed, sent by courier
Shelley's second horse
Christine painted Shelley's previous horse after meeting her at Burghley Horse Trials. When Shelley wanted her current horse painted, she booked a photo shoot on Christine's next trip south. The background became a plain colour wash, and the framed Medium painting went by courier as soon as it was finished.
three dogs, over the years 
3 photos, sent by email
Three Jack Russells, one painting
Brenda emailed photographs of the three Jack Russells she has owned over the years, for a portrait as a present to herself with money she received on retiring. Choosing the most typical expressions, Christine put the three heads together on a Medium portrait and sent it, framed, by courier. Brenda was overwhelmed with the result.
Lara 
A portrait to remember her by
Lara
At nine years old, Lara was diagnosed with cancer. Salli wanted a portrait to remember her by, so Christine took some photos before she became too poorly. It was very sad when Lara died, but the memory of this much-loved family dog lives on in the painting.
after Burghley 
2 photos, on a photo-shoot trip
Linda's two collies
Linda commissioned a head-study portrait of her two Border Collies, from photographs Christine took on a photo-shoot trip after Burghley Horse Trials. The portrait now hangs in her lounge.
“We are extremely pleased with the portrait and it looks wonderful where it is hanging.”
Linda
More from the studio
tap one to see it largerWhere we have them, the owners' photos are taped to the corner of the painting.
A first look: 12 of 49 paintings
Your photo next?
Send Christine a few photos and tell her which you like best. She'll help you choose the pose, size and layout, and paint it by hand at the studio in Weobley. Portraits start at £195 mounted.
Or call 07790 726719 · see sizes & prices