Portraits & Figurative Art Stories and
character,
painted in oils Original portraits and figurative paintings by Scottish artist Gordon Bruce — capturing personality, movement and the quiet details that make every subject memorable.
Discuss a Portrait Commission View Paintings
Ballerina in Blue oil painting by Gordon Bruce
Ballerina in Blue · Original oil painting
Original Oils Each painting created individually by hand
Personal Commissions Portraits developed from your photographs and ideas
Aberdeen, Scotland Paintings collected worldwide
Jane Austen Literary Retreat oil painting
Jane Austen’s Literary Retreat Narrative figurative painting
The Human Story More than a likeness

For me, a successful portrait should feel alive. Expression, posture, clothing, colour and setting can all reveal something about the person behind the face.

“I want a portrait to feel like a moment in someone’s story, rather than simply a pose.”

My work ranges from intimate figures and dancers to literary characters and scenes inspired by art history. Each painting is built by hand in oils through layers of colour, atmosphere and brushwork.

01 Expression A glance, gesture or expression can reveal the personality behind a portrait.
02 Atmosphere Light, colour and surroundings give each painting its own mood.
03 Story I often place figures within scenes that suggest a larger story.
04 Painted by Hand Every work is built in oils through colour, texture and layered brushwork.
Ballerina Enlightened Elegance painting
Original Ballerina: Enlightened Elegance Figurative oil painting A quiet, candlelit study capturing the poise and reflective stillness of a seated ballerina. View artwork →
Ballerina in Blue painting
Original Ballerina in Blue Figurative oil painting Sunlight, reflections and a blue dress surround a ballerina poised quietly en pointe. View artwork →
A Romantic Couple painting
Original A Romantic Couple Narrative figure painting Two figures meet beneath glowing city lights in a warm, cinematic evening scene. View artwork →
Rainy Parisian Encounter painting
Original Rainy Parisian Encounter Narrative figure painting A mysterious meeting beneath an umbrella with the Eiffel Tower disappearing into a blue Parisian evening. View artwork →
Jane Austen Literary Retreat painting
Original Jane Austen’s Literary Retreat Literary portrait Jane Austen finds a quiet place to write beneath an ancient tree beside the water. View artwork →
Maria's Melody Sound of Music painting
Original Maria’s Melody Film-inspired figure painting A joyful figure stands amid sweeping Alpine scenery in this tribute to The Sound of Music. View artwork →
Ballerina Dance Practice painting
Original Ballerina Dance Practice Original oil painting A dancer is silhouetted against brilliant golden window light during a private practice. View artwork →
The Dancers original painting
Original The Dancers Original oil painting A couple dance beneath an expansive sky, the woman's red dress bringing movement and drama to the scene. View artwork →
Red Umbrella painting
Original Red Umbrella Narrative figure painting A vivid red umbrella becomes the focal point among dark figures and reflections on a wet city street. View artwork →
A Young Ballerina painting
Original A Young Ballerina Original oil painting A dancer moves through soft blue and silver light, combining delicacy with a strong theatrical silhouette. View artwork →
The Music Lesson painting
Original The Music Lesson Vermeer-inspired painting An intimate interior inspired by the quiet storytelling and domestic light of the Dutch Golden Age. View artwork →
Vermeer's New Model painting by Gordon Bruce
Original Vermeer’s New Model Master-inspired portrait A contemporary interpretation inspired by Vermeer and Pieter de Hooch and their luminous domestic interiors. View artwork →
Commissioning a Portrait A personal painting, made with care
A commissioned painting can celebrate a person, memory or important moment in a completely individual way.
01 Share your idea Tell me who you would like painted, your preferred size, and the mood or character you would like the finished painting to have.
02 Plan the painting We discuss reference photographs, composition, background, size, timescale and price before painting begins.
03 Paint your story I create the portrait in oils and keep you informed as the painting develops into a lasting personal artwork.
Portrait Commissions Have a portrait in mind?
Commission enquiries are welcome without obligation. Tell me a little about your idea and I will be happy to discuss what is possible.
Contact Gordon Instagram Facebook