ABOUT ANDREW
Festing was born in 1941 he educated at Ampleforth College and RMA Sandhurst. He was commissioned into The Rifle Brigade where he served until 1969.
Festing worked at Sotheby’s in 1969 and was head of the British Pictures Department from 1977-1981, where he became Sotheby’s chief expert for British Pictures, with and extensive knowledge of portrait painting over the last 400 years. He painted many portraits whilst in the army and at Sotheby’s, and took up fulltime portrait painting in 1981.
Festing became a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters (RP) in 1989 and was President from 2002-2008. He was awarded a MBE in 2007 for services to the arts, and holds an Honorary Degree from Northumbria University (2010).
COMMISSIONS
PRICE GUIDE
Oil
20 x 16 inches £4,000
30 x 25 inches £7,000
36 x 28 inches £8,000
40 x 30 inches £9,500
50 x 40 inches POA
This is a rough fee-guide for a single portrait. Frame, travel & accommodation expenses, and VAT are not included. For groups and non-standard sizes please ask for a quote.
METHOD OF WORKING
NB I works on the content rather than the size of the painting so the prices above are only a very rough guide.
I like sittings to take place during a week and don’t work from photographs. I happily travel to my sitters but am equally happy to work in my studio. I have completed many group paintings in my time and would be prepared to consider painting some more. I am not currently registered for VAT.
NOTABLE SITTERS
- Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the Royal Family
- The House of Commons
- The House of Lords (in session)r
- Official portraits of Speakers Boothroyd and Martin
- Four group portraits of all the famous English Cricket players in the last 40 years for Lords
- Six group portraits of the staff at Holkham Hall