Professional yacht painting commissions by UK marine artist
The painting now hangs in pride of place in our front room. I do not lie when I say that whenever I look at it I will get great pleasure knowing that it has become a reality through a daughter's love and painted by an artist that has painted it with such feeling and skill.”
Mike and Helen
-----Commission Status September/October 2025: I am presently not accepting any new painting commissions-----
When you commission a painting from me, it’s all about creating something that feels truly personal to you. I take the time to understand your ideas and vision so that the artwork reflects your taste and fits beautifully into your space. For me, painting the sea, for example, is not just about technique, but about capturing its energy and tranquillity in a way that brings both beauty and a sense of calm. Each bespoke piece I create is one of a kind, and I put great care into every detail. Many of my clients tell me that their painting becomes not only a focal point in their home but also something deeply meaningful to them. I love the thought that these works can be treasured for years to come.
Commissioning a high-end luxury bespoke painting from a professional contemporary maritime and seascape artist offers a unique blend of personalization and artistic excellence. Each piece is meticulously crafted to reflect your individual vision, ensuring that the artwork resonates with your personal style. My many years of expertise in capturing the dynamic beauty of the sea, especially in my yacht paintings, brings a sense of sophistication to your environment. Additionally, owning a bespoke painting means you have a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your home but also serves as a valuable investment. The exclusivity and craftsmanship involved in creating a custom piece make it a cherished heirloom that can be passed down through generations, adding both emotional and financial value to your collection.
Commissioning a painting is an easy and straightforward experience, so even if you've never arranged a commission before or have never contacted an artist, I'm here to help you to realize your dreams and make the experience as smooth and as enjoyable for you as possible.
What's Involved?
Have you ever considered owning a commissioned painting or investing in original art? Perhaps you would like to commission me to paint an original for you, something which is special to you, which will reward you with many years of enjoyment.
With painting commissions, I usually find out first what you are looking for in the painting so I can paint exactly what you want: namely, the specifics or characteristics of the painting (i.e. the size, light and shade, colouration, amount of detail required, if it is to be painted in a photorealistic style or something a little more loose and painterly etc.).
For example, if you're looking for a professionally painted maritime painting, then a good size photo (a jpg image would be preferable) of the boat would be very helpful for me to use as reference. Note: please ensure the copyright owner of the photograph grants written permission for me to use the photo for reference purposes. The more information you (the client) send me about how you want the painting to look, the better I can visualize how it will appear when it is finished.
Mark, I cannot thank you enough for all the care and attention you have given to our commission and I am so delighted I made the choice to ask you to do the work.... I wanted to write and thank you for painting Whitsuntide. The painting is wonderful and brought so many wonderful memories alive for me again. Although your regular photos of her provided me with a very clear idea of how fabulous the painting would be, I wasn't expecting the huge wave of emotion that I experienced when I saw the painting. I found the regular updates and ability to share decisions about colours, movement of the water, the sky and even the fine detail of the compass with you, enabled me to feel totally involved with the painting. Thank you for bringing my dad back to life for me again, you have absolutely found the spirit of him as he stands looking down the Solent. He loved his boat.”
Peter and Jan
It is very important that everything is made clear by the client (in regards to exactly what is to be featured in the painting) at the very beginning of the commission process; for once the painting has begun, no major changes can be made after this point. So it is important that, if you are unable to visit me in person to discuss the commission, then you must email all the information to me, so I have it all written down. Also, I do not normally produce sketches for clients or undertake 'artist visits' to clients. But if additional sketches are required, there is a fee of £100 per sketch. Remember: a sketch is a separate artwork in itself, which takes the artist time and skill to create; so naturally there is a reasonable charge for this extra work.
High Quality Paints
I now only paint with oil paints. A detailed realistic maritime oil painting, painted with high quality pigment-based oil paints, can take me anywhere between twelve to sixteen weeks to complete – equating to approximately 170 to 250 hours work at the easel – depending on the size of the painting and the amount of detail required. A seascape or landscape would take me around eight to twelve weeks to complete, including drying time and varnishing.
Varnishing
Please bear in mind that after finishing the oil painting, I will only be able to apply an artists' retouch varnish layer to the painting, and not a final varnish. The retouch varnish will provide a protective coating over the paint layer while at the same time allow the paint layer to go through the process of drying out.
PLEASE NOTE: as an artist, I only supply a finished 'unframed' painting to clients - I do not supply a frame with the commissioned painting. Picture framing is the responsibility of the client. The client will need to contact their local picture framer once the client has ownership of the painting. Your local framer will professionally frame the painting and attach all required fixings (such as d-rings and picture cord/wire), thereby making the painting 'ready to hang' for the client.
WOW – the painting looks incredible – the level of detail and the way you have captured the essence of the scene is more than I could have hoped for. Thank you. I am so glad that we found you and your work online, I couldn't imagine a more ideal or more personal gift for our dear friend than a painting of his home and boat. It has been an absolute pleasure to see the painting come to life through the photographs and updates you have sent us. I am really looking forward to seeing it in real life! Thank you.”
Suzanne
Mark has painted a truly evocative picture. He has captured the true essence of this beautiful place and brought back many happy memories of years gone by. Thank you so much!”
Penny and Andrew
The Deposit
When I begin a commission, I ask for a fifty per cent deposit. This is a common practice for professional artists and simply helps me cover the cost of materials like canvas and paints, as well as the time and care I put into starting your piece, including administrative work, and costs already paid for by myself out of my own funds. This guarantees your place in my schedule and ensures that your painting is given the time, focus and materials it deserves from the very beginning. The deposit also goes toward the overall fee, so it’s not an extra cost — just the first step in the process. I find that this arrangement gives both of us peace of mind: I can dedicate myself fully to creating your painting with everything it needs right from the start knowing that your artwork is reserved, underway, and being created with the highest level of care and attention.
Once the specifics of the commission have been agreed and you are happy for me to proceed with the painting, I will provide you with an invoice so you can pay the deposit. The invoice will also state the estimated date the painting will be completed by. I will require your name, address and telephone number - which has to go on the invoice - and also a delivery address if this is different from your normal address. Thank you.
Keeping You Updated
Once the deposit has been paid, I can make a start and order the canvas required for the commission and then update you regularly by providing you (by email) with photographs of the painting as it progresses; and at any of these stages you can let me know if there is anything minor in the painting that needs to be altered slightly or painted in a different shade of colour etc. At the end of the day, I am painting this painting for you, so I want to make sure the painting ends up exactly how you want it.
Absolutely as we wanted it. Beautifully researched and executed. A wonderful painting!”
Mike and Jo
The Finished Painting
I shall notify you by email within twenty-four hours following the completion of the painting that the painting is ready to be viewed. If you are unable to view the painting in person, I shall email a hi-resolution image of the painting to you — and you must then make an approval of the painting based on the image. If you decide not to accept the finished painting or decide to pull out of the commission at any point, I shall keep the commissioned painting and the deposit. If I am unable to fulfil the commission and, for whatever reason, have to take the regrettable decision to pull out of the commission process, then I will keep the partly worked painting, but I will refund all payments in full.
The Final Payment
A second invoice will be issued to you so you can make the final payment. The final payment shall be required in full and be given reasonable time to clear before I can professionally package and deliver (by courier) the painting to you, or allow you to collect the painting in person, if this is preferred, and thereby grant the right of ownership to you and allow you to keep the painting. All other rights, including copyright, reproduction rights, publishing rights, I retain. A Certificate of Authenticity shall be provided with the painting when the painting is delivered or collected.
Most clients prefer to collect the painting in person, but if you aren't able to collect the finished painting in person and you would prefer for me to arrange a courier delivery to your UK address, please include your landline telephone number (and its area code) or your mobile number, as well as your full name, the delivery address and postcode. The courier will require all of this information from me; without it they will not allow me to send the parcel.
In purchasing my artworks the customer agrees and accepts the terms and conditions of markwoollacott.com.
Thank You
It is always with the greatest appreciation and gratitude that I receive any painting commission and, as with all my commissions, it will be my standard to undertake and execute your commission with the greatest care, attention, commitment and professionalism in order to produce an oil painting which will provide and reward you with many years of enjoyment.
Click or tap on the image above to view some examples of work-in-progress images, that show how a painting commission of a yacht progresses from its beginning to its completion.
If you are interested in commissioning me to paint an original painting for you, then please contact me using the email address below and I will be happy to discuss your requirements and answer any questions you may have regarding the commission. I am based in Devon, South West England, United Kingdom.
Mark Woollacott is a member of Artists’ Union England, the trade union for visual, applied and socially engaged artists www.artistsunionengland.org.uk
