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Contact Phyllis Arnold

Portrait Miniatures

PHYLLIS ARNOLD is a past winner of the Memorial Gold Bowl of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, London. The Artist carries on the 17th century tradition of painting portrait miniatures in the minute dot and stipple technique of the earliest miniaturists, such as Nicholas Hilliard 1547-1619, and Samuel Cooper 1640-1670, on vellum in watercolour. Portrait miniatures were mainly commissioned and given as love tokens. They were portable and in times of trouble and war, they were a constant reminder of a loved one. In the 17th century only the rich, powerful and of Royal birth, were able to afford this luxury.

Phyllis Arnold prefers to work from a sitting when colour notes and observations as to the character and demeanour of the sitter are recorded. Photographs are also taken to aid the construction and composition of the miniature. Head and shoulder size is approximately 3 ins x 2 ins, set in an oval frame plated with 22 carat gold and available in a specially colour co-ordinated leather case lined with silk and velvet, with integral stand. The case as well as enhancing the miniature, will protect it from harmful sunlight when closed.

Phyllis Arnold trained as a commercial/graphic artist and has been a professional artist since the late 1960's. She has exhibited with the Royal Society of Miniature Painters since 1976. She is a Past President of The Ulster Society of Women Artists.

To commission a portrait, please contact Phyllis Arnold via the contact page.

Posthumous photographs and also those from clients who cannot attend a personal sitting, may be worked from assuming they are of good likeness and of sufficient clarity.