Explore my love of Portraits

…there’s always something quite magical about watching a face emerge from a blank page

For me, portraiture is never just another subject to paint, it’s the thing that continually excites and inspire me. I’m always fascinated by how the smallest shift in a brush mark can suddenly bring a likeness to life - or potentially undo it entirely. Every face is a new adventure with its own challenges, but when it works - when something clicks - the reward is amazing!

Portraits have always held a special place in my heart. They’re what I return to when I need to reconnect with my art… a space to slow down, look closely, and rediscover why I love painting. I find faces endlessly fascinating and deeply emotive; there’s something so powerful about watching a likeness emerge from the page. Even after all these years, it still feels magical.

For me, a portrait is more than just a likeness, faces draw us in, sparking curiosity about who the person is and what lies beneath their expression, their story, a sense of who they are. That moment when someone sees their portrait for the first time and feels an emotional connection to it… that’s what makes it so rewarding. You see it time and again…a portrait has the power to move people.

I’m grateful to now have the skills to capture a likeness, but my focus is shifting. I want to push my portraiture further…to explore new ways to bring more depth and meaning to each piece…for them to stand as a work of art in their own right, layered with feeling and connection, with marks that encourage you to discover more and look a little longer.

Close-up of a watercolor painting featuring an elderly man's face with white hair, deep wrinkles, and a bright blue eye, smiling.
A painting of a woman taking a photo with a vintage camera, with a red and purple background and faint urban scenery.
A young woman with long brown hair holding a white rose and a dried flower, with visible tattoos on her arm, appears to be in a contemplative pose.
Painting of an older man with gray hair, smiling with teeth showing, wearing a dark sweater with a North Carolina emblem and a light collared shirt, with hands clasped together.
A young person with red hair and glasses playing an acoustic guitar, with a background of a concert crowd and a reddish sky.
A woman with dark hair styled in waves, wearing a dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves, resting her face on her hand and smiling softly against a textured gray background.

Enquire today to have a Portrait of your own created…

A Timeless Gift for Any Home

  • A painting of a woman with dark hair, one eye visible, lips pursed, holding a finger to her lips, with pink and red abstract background.
  • A watercolor painting of an elderly woman wearing a knit hat and dark clothing, with a not yet finished background.
  • A grayscale painting of a woman with her back to the viewer, holding a cloth near her shoulder, with her hair in a loose bun and wearing earrings.
  • A woman standing in profile, wearing a black hat, sunglasses, gray leather jacket, and gloves, leaning against a vintage motorcycle.
  • Black and white portrait of a young boy hugging a dog, both looking at the camera.
  • An artist's painting of an elderly man with white hair and beard, wearing a dark shirt, with a background of blue and gray tones, on an easel. There is also a reference photo of the same man on a smaller easel nearby, showing a man with similar white hair, beard, and a weathered face. The workspace has brushes, a knife, and a cloth with paint on it on a wooden table.

Hear from my previous clients

  • "Thanks Jo & long may your fabulous work continue. We will always recommend you to anyone looking for a quality portrait"

    Mark Stubbs

  • "The service, professionalism & talent of Jo is exceptional. Sending me step by step photos throughout"

    Layla

  • “Jo came highly recommended, she was very kind & even visited our home to help plan the painting"

    Minyi

  • "I have several paintings lovingly created by the wonderful Jo Watson & wouldn't hesitate to recommend her"

    Karen Hays

  • “Jo did a superb drawing of Ben Hogan winning the US Open for me...a truly amazing artist"

    Phil Mellor

  • “It was more than I could have ever hoped for. Such a level of detail that makes the picture come to life"

    Jacob Handslip

  • "A real true to life painting, the quality & detail is excellent. Jo captured him beautifully"

    Alison Cooper

  • "Jo was so patient & helped develop our idea creating an amazing painting that'll be treasured forever"

    Stephen & Julie Miller