About the Artist.....

After several years painting plein air scenes directly from life, I returned to my first love: contemporary oil portraiture — working closely with sitters to create bespoke works that don’t just capture a likeness but tell a story.

Alongside personal commissions, I regularly collaborate on multi-person and themed portrait projects. My last series, Ink to Oil: The Portrait Series (2024), celebrated Plymouth’s diverse communities. Amongst others, some of the communities represented included sea swimmers, military personnel, veterans, creators and campaigners, each sharing their personal story about their body art — the common thread uniting the series. The collection was exhibited at Royal William Yard.

I’m now presenting The Champagne Room Sessions, a deeply personal series celebrating individuality and storytelling through portraiture.

When I’m not painting in the studio, I run portraiture classes for individuals of all levels, believing that with encouragement and guidance, everyone has the ability to draw and paint. I also continue to offer bespoke oil portrait commissions, working closely with each person to ensure their portrait reflects the true character of the person — or people — it portrays.

My work has been exhibited by the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and I’ve been fortunate to collaborate not only with many remarkable individuals but also with establishments such as 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery and HMS Drake, Devonport.

I’m currently developing my next portrait series for 2026 and would love to invite you to be among the first to hear about it. There will be opportunities to be involved as a sitter, or simply to follow the journey as it unfolds. To find out more, sign up to my newsletter by clicking on the ‘newsletter’ tab at the top of the page & / or connect with me on Instagram: @mickhandart.

Finally, I want to thank all the sitters I’ve ever worked with — and those I’ll meet in future. It’s always an absolute privilege to hear people’s stories and be entrusted to create such personal, individual works.