Commission a Painting by Alan Reed
Creating memories that last a lifetime.
Commissioning a painting is a personal and meaningful way to celebrate the people, places, and moments that matter most.
Whether it’s a cherished location, a beloved pet, or a family portrait, Alan Reed will bring your vision to life with his distinctive artistic style and over 40 years of experience.
What You Can Commission
Your Favourite Place – landscapes, cityscapes, your home, wedding or special travel memories.
Pet Portraits – a heartfelt tribute to your loyal companion.
Family & Individual Portraits – capture the character and personality of your loved ones.
Sporting & Figurative Art – dynamic and expressive compositions that tell a story.
Alan’s unique fluidity with watercolours and oils creates paintings filled with emotion, light, and movement — whether it’s the energy of city life or the tranquillity of the countryside.
Commissions from a prize winning artist
Alan Reed has specialised in watercolour for over 40 years and also works in oils, charcoal, pencil, gold leaf and acrylic, so a commission can be tailored to the look and feel you want. His recent commissions include works for the Lakes Distillery, projects in Oman and Mallorca, and studies of ancient Roman architecture, alongside many private commissions of homes, pets and favourite places for clients in the North East and further afield.
His work has been recognised with The Artist’s Prize in the Royal Watercolour Society Competition in 2013, selection for the Sunday Times watercolour competition for three successive years, and a shortlisting for Artist of the Year by Artists and Illustrators magazine. He is also a member of the Fine Art Trade Guild.
Ideas for your commission
People commission paintings for all sorts of reasons. Some of the most popular include:
- Your family home, painted as a keepsake or a gift for a special anniversary
- A wedding venue, church or the place where you met
- A favourite holiday destination, from the Northumberland coast to Italy or the Middle East
- A much loved pet, captured in watercolour or oil
- A family or individual portrait that reflects the character of the people you love
- Sporting moments and famous stadiums
- Artwork for an office, boardroom or reception area
Because Alan began his career producing artist impressions of new building projects for architects, he is especially at home with buildings, streets and cityscapes, and his fluid style brings atmosphere and light to every subject.
Getting started
Gathering a few photographs of your subject can be a helpful starting point for the conversation. You are welcome to bring them along to the studio and gallery in Ponteland, which is open by appointment on 01661 820626, or send them by email. Seeing Alan’s original paintings in person is also a helpful way to decide on size, medium and framing before you go ahead.
A full range of bespoke framing is available at the studio, and once your painting is complete, Alan offers a complimentary hanging service within a 20 mile radius of the gallery. If you would rather start with something ready to hang, take a look at the original paintings currently available.
The commission process
Discuss your ideas with Alan in a relaxed and friendly environment or by email or phone — no obligation required.
During your consultation, you can explore:
Subject matter & preferred medium (watercolour or oil)
Size & composition
Framing options
Budget & timescale
Prices start from £300, depending on the complexity and size of the piece.
Alan offers a complimentary hanging service within a 20-mile radius of the gallery — ensuring your artwork is perfectly placed and professionally installed.
Choosing watercolour or oil
Watercolour is Alan’s specialism and is ideal for capturing light, atmosphere and movement, from a misty morning on the Northumberland coast to the bustle of a city street. Oil offers richer colour and texture, and can give a commission a bolder presence on the wall. Alan is happy to talk you through the options and can show you examples of both in the gallery, so you can see how each medium would suit your subject and your room.
A gift that lasts a lifetime
A commissioned painting makes a memorable gift for a birthday, anniversary, wedding or retirement, and becomes a keepsake that can be passed down through the family. If you are planning a commission for a particular date, mention it during your consultation so that the timescale can be agreed from the outset.
Every commission is a collaboration. You share the people, places and moments that matter to you, and Alan brings over 40 years of experience, his distinctive style and his eye for detail to create a painting that is entirely your own.
Art in the workplace
Enhance your office or corporate space with bespoke artwork that inspires creativity and leaves a lasting impression.
Alan offers tailored consultations to help you choose:
Original paintings or limited edition prints
Artwork and framing to complement your interiors
Pieces suited for boardrooms, reception areas, or communal workspaces
Creative art in the workplace can uplift your team and reflect your company’s values and identity.
Whether you are looking for a single statement painting for a reception area or a series of works for a boardroom, Alan can talk you through original paintings, limited edition prints and bespoke framing in a consultation at the gallery in Ponteland, or by phone or email, with no obligation to go ahead.
family and pet portraits
Family Portraits
Capture treasured family memories at any stage of life. Alan’s portraits, in either watercolour or oil, convey personality and presence in a timeless way. Wedding commissions are also available, including ceremony, venue, and bridal party scenes.
Pet Portraits
Celebrate the bond with your pet through a beautifully detailed portrait. These make for touching gifts and lasting keepsakes. Paintings can be created from photographs or through live sittings.
Live Sittings: Portraits are often completed over multiple sittings, each lasting around two hours with breaks as needed.