For Holly and her husband, Round Pond in Kensington Gardens wasn't just a nice spot for a walk - it was their favourite place in London close to their home they kept coming back to over the years.
So when the time came to leave the city, Holly wanted a way to carry a piece of it into their new home and next chapter. And with her husband's birthday approaching too, she made it a special gift as well.
Painting A Farewell To Their Favourite Corner Of London
Holly got in touch with a clear idea already in mind - a large landscape of Round Pond, with Kensington Palace in the background, timed for her husband's birthday as they prepared to move out of the city.
"It's our favourite place in London and we're moving out of the city next year, so it would be the perfect gift."
Over the years, Holly had built up a collection of her own photos of the pond, swans, ducks, the church spire, the light on the water, which gave us a wonderful range of reference to draw from to help pin down the exact composition.
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Shaping The Composition Of Round Pond
Holly was drawn to a photo with a higher horizon line, and I could immediately see why - the contrast between the fine detail of Kensington Palace and the softness of the water was lovely. We settled on a more zoomed-in composition, with the deep inky water softly reflecting the last of the days light drawing the eye to the horizon and Kensington Palace as the focal point, whilst leaving room for the swans to move through the foreground.
"Honestly, the level of detail is wonderful and I'd be absolutely delighted to go ahead"
A Piece Of London To Carry Into The Next Chapter
The final composition brought together several of Holly's photos she had taken over the years, rather than copying one directly bringing a compilation of her memories to life.
"Oh my goodness, it's beautiful! I am absolutely delighted. Looks just like Round Pond! Wow. How talented you are. The water is so lovely."
Behind the Commissioned Artwork
- Location: Round Ponds, Kensington Gardens, London
- Medium: Oil on board
- Size: 70 × 50 cm
- Commissioned as: Personalised birthday gift for husband, ahead of a move out of London
- Created from: Multiple reference photographs
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.
