commissions
A face of your own, painted the way the Inky Faces series is painted — wet ink, watercolour, and no attempt to tidy up what the paint decides to do.
what I take on
Portrait commissions are the most common — someone you love, or yourself, painted in the Inky Faces style rather than drawn as a likeness. These aren't photorealistic. They're loose, wet and a little unpredictable, which is the point.
I also take fashion illustration and editorial work. I've contributed to SHOWstudio, including a live Nick Knight shoot and the Milan womenswear shows, and my work has appeared in Suboart Magazine and T Magazine China.
If you want a face drawn live in front of an audience rather than in the studio, that's live event illustration instead.
how it works
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Send me the idea
Message me on Instagram with who or what you'd like painted, and a rough sense of size and timing. Reference photographs help — several angles are better than one perfect shot.
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We agree the piece
Size, palette, how loose or how held-together you want it, and a delivery date. I'll tell you honestly if what you're picturing isn't what this technique does well.
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I paint it
Each portrait starts wet and I follow where the paint wants to go. I'll share progress if you'd like to see it, though the interesting part usually happens in the first ten minutes.
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It comes to you
The original is yours, unframed and ready to hang or frame as you prefer. Prints of an existing piece are also available on request.
rates
Final price depends on size and how many faces are in it. Ask and I'll quote properly.
Frequently asked questions
Will it look like the person?
It will feel like them more than it photographs like them. The Inky Faces technique is loose and abstract — it catches a posture, an expression, a mood. If you want an exact likeness, I'm probably the wrong illustrator and I'll say so.
What reference photos do you need?
Several, from different angles, in decent light. Casual shots often work better than posed ones because they carry more of how someone actually holds themselves.
How long does a commission take?
It depends on what's already in the queue and how large the piece is. Message me with your deadline and I'll tell you straight away whether it's realistic.
Can I buy an original from the existing series?
Yes. Originals from the Inky Faces series start at £300 — message me and I'll tell you what's still available. Prints of the series are £40 in the Fashion Bunny Smith shop, alongside a set of catwalk cards at £5.
Do you ship outside the UK?
Yes, though shipping and any duties are quoted separately. Tell me where you are when you get in touch.
Can I commission something as a gift?
Often, yes — it's one of the more common requests. Give yourself more time than you think you need, especially in the run-up to Christmas.
start a commission
Instagram is the quickest way to reach me. Tell me who you'd like painted and roughly when you need it.
@inkyfacesfashionbunnysmith