_{Cheshire portrait artist}

_{Max Mansbridge West is a Cheshire portrait artist and landscape artist. Max also works in London.}

 _{He is classically trained in art at the London Atelier of Representational Art (LARA). This school of art teaches how to draw and paint in the traditional way. This way of creating art goes back to the days of Michealangelo. It requires hard work and focus using charcoal, chalk and oil paint. This creates an image that is almost an exact likeness.}

 _{Studying this type of art takes many years. The student starts to draw with pencil and then moves to charcoal. The next step is using charcoal and chalk. Then the artist can begin to use oil paints. At first they only use three colours and then they build up to eight or nine colours. There are different palates for different images. The skill is in choosing the right palate for the right painting. A good portrait artist will know how to do this to produce the best likeness.}

 _{His figures and portraiture focus on capturing the reality and true character of his subjects. He is inspired by those moments where he can see the essence of the person he is capturing and allowing them to live on in the painting or drawing. His influences range from Sorolla to Colleen Barry.}

_{Max accepts commissions for portraits or landscapes and also sells limited signed editions of select works.}

_{http://maxmansbridgewest.co.uk/index.php/limited-edition-prints/}

 _Background

_{Max started his working life as a chef. He worked long hours in Warrington and saved as much money as he could. Max had always been interested in art and had completed his studies at college to get his foundation diploma. However he could not find anything that he wanted to study further in the art world. Then he found the London school of art that specialised in representational art and enrolled on the summer school. He liked it so much that he decided to do move to London and complete the diploma in art. He used his savings to fund the course and worked as a chef part-time to support himself living in London.}

 _{Max also did extra art classes in the evening to make sure that he learnt as much as possible. He went to art galleries and exhibitions to look at old masters pictures so that he could learn from them as well.}

 _{Where he works}

 _{He works across the United Kingdom (UK) and is based in both Cheshire and London. Max also accepts commissions in Lancashire and Merseyside. He has worked in Lymm and High Legh. Please do get in touch if you are looking for a portrait artist, a landscape artist or are looking to commission a London portrait artist.}

 _{Max works from his own studio in Warrington and customers may wish to come to the studio. Customers who want a Cheshire Portrait Artist might want Max to come to their home. Max is willing to do this. He may need to bring extra lighting with him. For customers wanting a London Portrait Artist Max uses a shared studio in London or can come to the person’s home.}   

 _Commissions

_{Customers choose to commission portraits or landscapes for a variety of reasons. Portraits might be commissioned to celebrate: the birth of a baby, a special birthday or anniversary, an engagement, or simply as a unique gift for someone special.}

_{Portraits are usually completed over 4-10 sittings (averaging 30 plus hours work). Max uses oil paint or charcoal and chalk. The customer can choose what they prefer. Max is happy to also work from photographs. It is best if Max takes these because the angle and lighting are important to achieve the best results. If you would like to email Max some sample photos he can look at them and give his view. Sometimes finding your favourite photograph can be helpful as it gives Max an idea about what you would like.}

_{Customers may also want to include a background or still life objects that are special to the person. Max can talk to you about what is important to you.}

_{Landscapes are often commissioned to capture a favourite view. It may be a place that has a special meaning or it may be a place that has a memory of a shared experience. It may be for a wall space in the home or at work that needs specific visual impact. Landscapes are usually completed ‘plein air’, which means they are painted or drawn on location. Max usually uses oil paints on canvas choosing each colour carefully to give the closest image of the view.}

 _{Cost and Pricing}

If you are looking to commission a Cheshire portrait artist then please get in touch.

_{Max is happy to talk to you about any ideas you might have without any obligation on your part. You might want to phone Max or speak to him through messenger. You can also arrange to meet Max face to face. Some people find it easier to talk to someone face to face.}

_{Existing pieces of work are individually priced. Some are framed and this is included in the price. Some are not framed but Max can arrange to have these framed for an extra cost. Max would be able to give you a quote for this.}

_{If you are thinking about a commission and want an idea of how much this would cost. As a general and rough guide a half-length portrait (concentrating on head and shoulders) like ‘Barry’ (60 x 45 cm) would be £750. Three-quarter or full length portraits cost more due to the complexity. This means more time is needed to complete the picture.}

_{If you are thinking about asking for a landscape to be painted. A landscape like ‘Olive Tree’ or ‘St. Anthony of Padau’ (both 35 x 25 cm) would be £240.}

_{Framing, postage and packaging, or travel expenses are not included. Travel expenses can be agreed when you speak with Max and there are no travel expenses for Warrington. There are some parts of Cheshire that are further away where there would be a travel cost. There would be no cost for closer areas like Lymm and Culcheth.}

Cheshire portrait artist