Engagement painting commission: how one couple turned their special moment into a masterpiece

 

Framed custom painting commission of a Corfu beach at sunset as an engagement gift for partner.

 

Some moments are too good for just a phone camera.

 

The sun setting, the waves lapping against the shore, the “yes” - all wrapped up in light and emotion. It was a memory Natasha never wanted to forget.

 

After getting engaged on a beach in Corfu, she knew she wanted a personalised engagement present that felt just as special. So she commissioned a unique engagement painting to surprise her fiancé — a one-of-a-kind artwork to bring that shared moment to life on their wall forever.

 

 

An engagement painting commission captures the moment forever

 

When Natasha first messaged me, she had a vision: to surprise her fiancé with a custom painting of the beach where he proposed — Ermones, Corfu.

 

“Every time I look at the piece it takes me back to that special moment. Rachel has captured the light and emotion so well. My partner was really impressed.”” — Natasha, Cheshire

 

There wasn’t one perfect photo from that evening as the light began to fade, but luckily as an artist we're not limited by photos! With the help of some artistic license, we used a collage of images she’d taken with the desired colours, light, and atmosphere to recreate the moment as she remembered it.

 

 

 


✨ Looking for a meaningful gift for a newly engaged couple?

 

This could be it - a one-of-a-kind artwork made just for them.

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Commissioning a custom painting - it’s easy, personal, and enjoyable

 

The commission process always starts with a conversation.

 

We swapped ideas, photos, and inspirations — including a few of my earlier paintings Natasha loved (shout out to Wild & Free ).

 

Wild & Free, Cornish art print of seascape landscape near Porthleven with rocky cliffs, sea flowers and blue sky overlooking the ocean, framed art print in white wood ready to hang by Cornish artist Rachel Painter

 

We talked about light, emotion, brushstrokes and texture, and what she wanted the final piece to feel like — because that matters just as much as how it looks.

 

“Rachel was amazing throughout the process from reviewing the idea based on a collation of pictures from our engagement, quotation, initial sketch and review.”

 

Pro tip: If you’re not sure how to explain what you want, that’s okay - that’s part of my job. Most painting commissions begin with a simple idea, and together we turn it into something that captures the moment.

 

 

Bringing the seascape painting to life 

 

Not every commission needs thumbnail sketches, but when you’re combining multiple images (as Natasha did), they’re sometimes a helpful way to explore composition, colour and focal points.

 

Natasha loved vivid, expressive paintings with energy and some areas of softness in a way that captures the joy and dreamlike quality of the memory.

 

We settled on a composition that let the glowing Corfu sky take centre stage, balanced by the crystal clear water lapping over the rocks in the soft evening light making for a dreamy seascape painting.

 

 

A gift that lasts a lifetime

 

Once the painting commission was complete, I sent a high-resolution final photo before shipping - and Natasha’s response made my day.

 

“Every time I look at the piece, it takes me back to that special moment. I’m so happy I came across Rachel’s work online — and maybe I’ll get another painting in future if I’m lucky!”

 


 

Every commission I create tells a story - a memory, a feeling, a moment in time. I love helping collectors turn those moments into something tangible that lasts a lifetime. If you’d like to explore a painting commission of your own, do get in touch by simply filling out the form below and we can start discussing and planning something truly special.

 

 

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Commission a custom painting that tells their story today

Whether it’s an anniversary, a wedding present, or an engaged couple gift idea that will be treasured for years - a painting commission is personal, meaningful, and one-of-a-kind.

If you have a painting idea you’d like to discuss please take a moment to complete the form below. I’ll be in touch personally as soon as possible (usually within 24 - 48 hours).

Rachel Painter in her studio painting for a  wedding commission