A familiar laugh. A thoughtful expression. A horse standing quietly in a meadow. The starting point for a meaningful painting can be a moment you would otherwise struggle to hold on to.

For anyone considering a watercolour portrait commission, Arūnas’s Realism in Watercolour portfolio offers a useful starting point. His paintings explore people, animals and emotion through watercolour on paper, while his own creative story begins with an unexpectedly different material: furniture.

From bespoke furniture to watercolour

In his artist biography, Arūnas describes more than 30 years spent designing and producing bespoke furniture and décor. He identifies Art Nouveau, with its organic motifs and flowing curves, as an important influence on his artistic outlook.

He had painted before, but says watercolour truly captivated him in 2016. Initially, he found it unpredictable and demanding. Working through that hesitation became part of his development as a self taught artist.

That history gives this portfolio a story beyond likeness alone. An artist accustomed to creating objects for people now invites them to bring their thoughts, experiences and memories to a painting. For a prospective client, the useful question is: what should this work help you remember or feel?

A portrait that captures a familiar expression

Luna provides the clearest example of an everyday moment becoming the subject of a portrait. The portfolio describes a child laughing, eyes closed, with two braids and a bright expression set against a dark background.

For someone considering a family portrait, this suggests a helpful way to choose references. Alongside a clear likeness, look for the expression that feels most characteristic of the person. A spontaneous smile may carry more personal meaning than a formal pose. Discuss the reference photographs and intended mood with the artist before agreeing the composition.

Realism with room for personal meaning

Water Whispers centres on a face and the presence of water. In the accompanying description, the artist connects the work with vulnerability, renewal and quiet strength. These are the artist’s interpretations, rather than a documented account of the sitter’s life.

Red Lines explores a different mood. Its portfolio description draws attention to a reflective pose, the contrast between light and shadow, and red lines that may suggest boundaries or passion. Together, the works show how a realistic figure can also become a starting point for a more symbolic composition.

If you want a commission to express a particular experience, describe that meaning in your brief. It can guide a conversation about pose, colour and setting without requiring the artist to guess your story.

Watercolour beyond the family portrait

The portfolio also includes Ofelija, a white horse in a meadow with yellow dandelions. Listed at 170 × 110 cm, it demonstrates a substantially larger scale than the other examples shown here.

Its relevance is practical as well as visual: a watercolour commission need not be a small portrait. Arūnas’s commission statement welcomes ideas involving animals, landscapes, flowers, figures and other subjects. The suitability of a particular size and composition should be agreed for your project.

Planning your own watercolour commission

Begin with the subject, the story you want the painting to tell, and where it will hang. Share reference images, your preferred dimensions, budget and any important deadline. If it is a gift, explain the occasion and what makes the subject meaningful to the recipient.

The portfolio currently lists commissions from £390. This is a starting guide, not a price for the paintings illustrated here or a fixed quote for every portrait. The final price and timescale depend on the agreed dimensions, composition and level of detail; framing can be discussed separately.

Through commissionit, the next step is to agree the artist, brief, price and timing, including the composition or progress approval stage. If you are requesting this particular artist, name Arūnas and include his portfolio link so we can check suitability and availability for your project.

Explore Arūnas’s portfolio and discuss a watercolour commission. Bring the person, place or memory that matters to you, and tell us what you would like the painting to capture.