Have you ever wanted a nude portrait of yourself?
I am often asked if I paint nude portraits. Yes I do. I don’t see much distinction between a nude portrait and a more conventional portrait. In fact, almost half the commissions I have worked on were for nude portraits.
Your privacy and comfort are paramount. I never share images of commissioned nude artworks unless I have express permission from the client. The paintings featured here are either created with consent, or are of professional life-models.
Why do you want a nude portrait?
The first step is understanding what you hope to gain from your portrait. Every person has their own reasons for commissioning a painting—whether nude or traditional. By discovering your motivation, I can shape the style, mood, and approach to best reflect you. Over the years, I’ve heard many reasons, each as unique as the individuals themselves. A true portrait should not just capture your likeness, but also reveal something personal and authentic about who you are.
Is a nude portrait the best way to boost your self-esteem?
Not long ago, I was contacted by journalist and author Radhika Sanghani, who was researching women who had commissioned nude portraits of themselves as a way to celebrate their bodies. This was something she had chosen to experience personally, and she wanted to connect with others who had done the same. While none of my clients wished to be interviewed (understandably cautious, especially as the article was for the Daily Mail), she was still able to complete a thoughtful piece exploring the topic. You can find her article here: Is a nude portrait the best way to boost self esteem.
What struck me most about her work was how each woman had a completely different reason for commissioning a nude portrait. Some saw it as a milestone, a way of marking a stage in life; others wanted to reclaim a sense of confidence in their bodies; and for some, it was an intimate act of self-celebration. These were not portraits created for anyone else’s gaze, but as affirmations of identity, strength, and individuality.
Can commissioning a nude portrait really boost self-esteem? In many cases, I believe it can. When I first embarked on my career as an artist, I often had no choice but to use myself as the life model. I simply couldn’t afford to hire anyone else, and so I reluctantly turned the mirror onto myself. At the time, I felt deeply uncomfortable—sometimes even embarrassed—sharing those painted images. In truth, I still do. And yet, looking back, I realise that some of those self-portraits are the most honest and authentic works I have created. They pushed me to confront my own insecurities, to see myself not through the lens of judgement, but through the slow and deliberate act of painting.
That experience taught me what many of my sitters later discover for themselves: a nude portrait captures more than just a likeness. It can be an unexpected act of courage, a declaration of this is who I am. Whether the result feels empowering, confronting, or quietly affirming, the canvas records a vulnerable moment of truth—and from that, real strength can grow. For me, and for many of those I’ve painted, that honesty has been the most lasting and rewarding gift a portrait can offer.
The process
The preparations for a nude portrait are the same as for a traditional portrait. I prefer to arrange an in-person sitting. This is even more important than with a traditional portrait, because while you might have some perfectly good headshots that I could use as a reference for a painting, you’re unlikely to have suitable nude photos. If you’re uncomfortable posing nude, it sometimes helps to have a meeting first, where I can discuss the process and we can get to know each other, so that the actual sitting doesn’t feel so rushed.
During the sitting I make several drawings, trying to find a pose and lighting that is both complimentary and visually interesting. Once a pose has been selected, I will take a reference photo, and use that along with the drawings to create a painting.
I can have sittings in my studio, or am happy to travel to the client’s home. That’s often the best option, as the sitter is more likely to feel at ease in their home environment.
Can I paint your nude portrait from photos?
Yes, I can paint a nude portrait from photos you provide. It is not ideal, but I appreciate that it might be impractical to have in-person sittings, or you might just feel uncomfortable posing nude.
I can advise about taking new photos. Expensive cameras aren’t necessary. It is more important to avoid lens distortion and to get the correct lighting. Both are achievable with a good phone camera.
Getting the pose right
Finding the perfect pose is key, and often the best poses happen spontaneously. Light, expression, and mood can change in an instant, which is why I prefer to spend a few hours exploring different options. If you’re providing photos, send a range with various poses and expressions to capture your personality fully.
Faceless portraits
A popular pose is the traditional life room pose of the model’s back, as shown above. It’s the first pose I will suggest if I suspect the model is at all uncomfortable posing nude.
Another option to retain anonymity is to crop the face from the painting, as in the examples below. These were part of a project called Unnamed Portraits.
Exploring the Creative Possibilities
One of the most exciting aspects of painted nude portraits is the range of creative possibilities—background, composition, style, and mood can all be tailored to your preferences. You might want your portrait set in a familiar room, or something more imaginative like a dramatic landscape. Exploring examples, both from my portfolio and historically, can help spark ideas.
If you are thinking about commissioning a nude portrait, feel free to contact me with any questions. I am always happy to chat, with no obligation. Embarking on a portrait commission is a collaborative exercise between the artist and the sitter. It should be both rewarding and enjoyable, and can be more affordable than you expect.