About
Rory McNicol is a contemporary artist living and working in Frome, Somerset.
A BA (Hons) in Illustration led him into a successful digital career spanning major agencies across London — and for a while, the paintbrush lay dormant.
Then came the pandemic. A single brushstroke on a red canvas reignited everything. What started as an afternoon with his kids turned into a portrait of an icon, a gift for his father-in-law's 50th birthday — and the beginning of something he couldn't put down. By 2025 he'd set himself a challenge: one portrait a month. He's still going.
Drawing from popular culture, icons, punk rock, film and lighting, Rory works in an impressionist style — deliberately loose everywhere it can afford to be, and precise where it counts. The eyes are where likeness lives, so that's where the colour gets pushed, the risks get taken, and the real work happens.
He paints icons and individuals, in oil and digital. Whether the subject is a cultural figure or someone's grandmother, the goal is always the same: to find what makes that face theirs.
He also eats pizza. Professionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I offer a range of solutions designed to meet your needs.
My three offerings are:
- A4 digital portrait
- A3 digital portrait
- Custom commission (anything!)
Whether you're just getting started know exactly what portrait you’d like or are just curious or want more information, get in touch. -
Reach out! There is a form below this section you can fill out and I will reply as soon as possible.
It would be great if you can include details. However, if you need some help with anything I’m more than happy to help you every step of the way. -
With 15+ years in the creative industry, I know how to listen to a brief and elevate it — not just execute it. That collaborative instinct is baked into how I work with every commission client.
It combines with an artistic approach that doesn't play it safe. My style is loose and impressionistic everywhere it can afford to be, and precise where it counts. Having trained in illustration and spent a career in design, I think about composition, colour and impact differently to someone who came up purely through painting.
I also paint both icons and individuals, which is a more unusual combination than it sounds. The discipline of capturing a face the whole world already knows makes me a sharper painter of the faces that matter most to you.
The result is a bespoke service that's genuinely collaborative — and work that tends to exceed what people imagined when they first got in touch.
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A few things worth knowing
Turnaround is typically 2–4 weeks from the start of work, depending on complexity and current availability.
Good reference photos make a real difference. A well-lit, high-resolution image — ideally a front-facing shot — gives the best result. If you're not sure what to send, just ask and I'll point you in the right direction.
Three rounds of revisions are included as standard. I want you to love it.
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The more you tell me upfront, the smoother the whole process.
Who is this portrait of? A name is enough, but any context helps — is it a gift? A specific era or look (a particular album cover, film role, period)? A mood you're after, celebratory, intimate, dramatic? There are no wrong answers.
Your reference photo is the single most important thing you can send. Look for natural, even lighting, a clear view of the face, and an expression you love. High resolution, front-facing or three-quarter angle works best. Avoid group shots, heavy filters, and low light. Not sure if yours is good enough? Send a couple, we can discuss which works best.
Where will it live? Above a fireplace, in a hallway, posted as a gift? Tell me and I'll suggest the right size and medium.
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Collaborative, communicative and — genuinely — fun. You'll get updates throughout the process, your ideas and feedback are always welcome, and nothing is finalised until you're happy with it.
I want you to love your finished piece. That's not a throwaway line — it's why three rounds of revisions are built in as standard, and why I'd rather take the time to get it right than rush to a delivery.
Get in touch
Interested in working together? Drop a message with some info about size or medium (Not sure? Just ask) and I will be in touch shortly to discuss your project