· Introducing Richard ·
Richard Bostock is one of a professionally trained group of artists who paint the most beautiful paintings and craftsmen who make the most beautiful frames.
Richard is a graduate of Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design. He started the business in 2001 with the aim that exceptional art should be within reach of all who appreciate it. His business has since gone from strength to strength. Now regularly consulting on large projects and movies, Richard has also supplied paintings to Sotheby's, The Landmark Trust and The Goodwood Collection. His paintings have been exported as far afield as the USA and the UAE.
Original Artwork
We will create original contemporary or traditional artwork based on your drawings, photographs or colour scheme.
Portraits
We can paint beautiful miniatures and large scale portraits from a colour or black and white photograph, print or drawing.
Replicas by hand
We have also been painting exceptional replicas of paintings for designers, galleries, auction houses and private clients since 2001.
There is an extensive stock of paintings to choose from, which can be seen on line and in Richard's studio or you could view a selection by appointment in your home or office.
Please view the Assistance section for contact details.
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Richard working on one of his own signature pieces.
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· About Our Artists ·
Richard Bostock Fine Art employs an incredibly talented team of professional artists.
Like Richard, all artists have studied at well known Art Colleges or Institutes and have an expert knowledge of drawing and the traditional painting skills required for historic paintings. Several artists are well known and respected in their own areas for their extraordinary ability and skills. Each artist signs their paintings in the bottom right hand corner of the canvas.
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· Frequently Asked Questions ·
What exactly does Richard Bostock Fine Art do?
I started painting beautiful copies of clients painting's back in 2001. I have since established Richard Bostock Fine Art as experts in our field and market leaders in high quality copies of paintings. I now work with other professional artists and I am proud to have been involved with a great variety of paintings for private collectors, designers, hotels, auction houses and even some national institutions. A selection of our Past Projects can be viewed in the Gallery section. There are lots of exciting developments on the horizon for Richard Bostock Fine Art. Watch out for us as we continually innovate where others will follow.
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What makes Richard Bostock oil paintings so special?
One of the great parts of my job is that I can give clients the high quality that other companies are unable to deliver. The reasons for this are quite simple. Speaking as an artist I aspire to work with the best artists who will take great pride in their work. Over time I build loyalty to my business and bring the best out of my artists. This is because I know what they are capable of achieving and most importantly ensure that they are rewarded accordingly.
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Are these paintings actually prints?
Our paintings are not prints.
They are all beautifully painted and built up over many layers to achieve the softness and the drama of the finished painting. As each layer of colour is applied, the painting takes on character and depth that you just don't get with a print.
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Is each painting unique?
Of course. All our original paintings are unique, although it will be difficult to tell as the differences between paintings are very slight. Artists naturally have their own way of interpreting a painting and to me this is a good thing as each painting must have an integrity of its own. I remember a particularly beautiful copy of a Canaletto painting of Venice that I sold last year. It had a wonderful gentle warmth of light and I miss that painting. I even dreamt one night that I was in the painting standing on the quay in front of the Doges' Palace.
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Do you have a stock of completed paintings?
We carry an extensive stock of paintings representing lesser known paintings from almost all the periods, sizes and styles of European painting over the last 400 years. You can view our stock on this web site and also by ordering our interactive DVD or visiting our studio in Staffordshire, England.
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How do I order from stock?
Placing an order is simple. Firstly call or E-Mail with your exact requirements. If you are ordering a painting from our stock then it will be delivered within a few days or more, depending on your location. We take most credit cards and you are welcome to send a cheque.
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How do I commission a painting?
Begin by obtaining the best possible photograph of the desired subject or painting. This is important as it is the source which we will faithfully work from. The next step is to contact us with the painting size required and provide a copy of the photograph. We will get in touch with a quote and if you would like to proceed we will request a deposit of 50% to confirm your order and begin your painting.
Typically within 6-8 weeks (according to the artist's workload at that time) you will receive a photograph of your painting from the artist's studio. When you have approved it, the paint will be allowed to dry and the painting will be stretched, framed and varnished prior to packing for delivery or collection.
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Can I have any picture copied?
Almost any painting or photograph can be copied from a good quality image. However, if the original artist is still alive or has passed away less than 70 years ago, a painting can only be copied with permission of the artist or the artist's estate. For a small fee we can request permission to make a copy from the artist on your behalf.
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What sort of photo is required for commissions?
Generally the larger the image the better. Where possible, please do obtain a high quality photograph for us to work from. Ideally this should be a clearly printed image with a good colour match which shows significant detail of the painting. A photograph from a book or magazine would normally be fine for a painting up to 24"x30". The better the photograph, the better the painting will turn out. Remember the artist can only work from what we can give him. Richard will personally call or write to you before going ahead with the painting if he is concerned about the image supplied.
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What size can I order?
We can produce a painting to any size you would like. The biggest painting we have produced to date is 3.5 metres by 2.5 metres. Our only restriction on is the size of canvas that we are able to buy.
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What frame should I choose?
We are happy to give advice and can help choose the right style of frame for the period of your painting. We sell several different frame styles to suit all requirements. Our range can be viewed in the Gallery section of this web-site.
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How much do I pay and when?
Typically our paintings cost between £250 and £1,500 and are tax inclusive. For stock paintings that are delivered within the UK, we charge 50% in advance which is payable when ordering. The remainder is billed when the finished painting is received. Overseas orders also have a 50% deposit charge. However we require the remainder prior to despatch. We accept UK personal cheques and most major credit cards.
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Do I pay VAT?
Value Added Tax is included in the prices given. For overseas customers who live outside the European Union (EU) you will not have to pay this tax. However, to be eligable we must have proof that the delivery has left the EU.
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How long will it take for my painting to be delivered?
The good news is that all the paintings shown in the Gallery section (except for Past Project items) are in stock and can be delivered within a week within Europe. Commissions will be delivered 6-8 weeks from order confirmation up to 36"x48". If you are in a hurry just ask us and we'll tell you if it can be done.
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Can you deliver your paintings anywhere in the world?
We ship to virtually all destinations worldwide. Your painting will be insured and well packaged before being sent by United Parcel Service (UPS). As a global courier with a quality reputation, UPS have taken good care of our customers' paintings. Through the UPS web-site our clients are able to track progress of their shipment. Delivery within the UK costs £50.
For overseas shipments, please call for a personal quote. Please note that international clients are advise to contact their local customs office to make enquires about any fees or eligibility restrictions associated with receiving foreign goods such as paintings.
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What if I am not happy with the painting?
We go to great lengths to give you the best impression of our work. However in the unlikely event that you buy a painting from us and you are not happy with it, you can return it within 14 days of receipt. We will then either re-paint your picture or give you a complete refund as you wish. Please ask us before placing your order if you require this guarantee for unique tailor made paintings and portraits. We will do our best to oblige. Even one unhappy customer is unacceptable, which is why we work hard providing a quality service that our customers have come to expect.
Our relationship with the National Portrait Gallery is reinforced by the consistent excellence of our work.
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Have you had any media comments or independent reviews?
We have been blessed with quite a bit of media interest over the last few years. House and Garden Magazine has published a double page feature about our paintings - a copy of which is available on request . The Telegraph Magazine, who are quoted on our home page, has also published a 6 page feature about our business and BBC Radio 4 has even aired a radio program in which we were featured.
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Who are your customers?
We supply paintings to a wide variety of clients, both private and commercial. A number of leading London interior designers obtain oil paintings and watercolours from ourselves. In additional we copy paintings directly for one of the main London auction houses. Our private clients range from collectors, designers, businesses, to the general public. Many of our customers start by ordering a single painting and come back to order more.
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Tell me more about your artists?
I am an artist and graduate of St. Martin's College of Art in London. Since leaving College I have developed partnerships with other professional artists of talent and distinction. All artists primarily paint their own original work and paint for me because I promise regular dependable work which supplements and can even be a support to an artist's independent career development. Unfortunately we can't give too much information about our artists because our competitors would give their right arms to be able to work with them too; and they have tried! We have always known that quality paintings are above all what our customers want from us. My priority has always been quality, quality and quality and we have chosen our artists and designed our business so that we are better placed than our competitors to deliver on our promise.
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Do you sell your own original work?
Richard has just launched his own range of original contemporary paintings.
These pieces compliment and add wonderful diversity to our existing replica and bespoke painting services. A selection of "Richard's Originals" can be seen within a dedicated area of the Gallery section on this site.
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Are your paintings fakes?
Absolutely not. The difference between a fake and a replica is that a fake is made to appear in every detail to be the original in order to defraud a buyer. Fraud is a criminal offence which is most likely to lead to a prison sentence. For the real criminals faking the history of a painting is as important as faking the painting itself in order to fool the experts. I am a responsible seller of replicas and goes to great lengths to ensure that our paintings cannot be confused with the originals. We have been in business for years because we are completely honest about what we sell and how we go about it.
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What is a replica?
A replica is the art world's historical term for an artist's copy of an original painting. A print can not be a replica in the correct use of the word in this context.
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What are Museum Quality Paintings?
Museum quality implies that paintings are of such quality that Museums would hang them on their walls. However none of the companies that I have seen that offer 'museum quality' seem to have any relationship with a real museum. So the problem is that it is not really a quantifiable term which is why I choose not to use it. Don't be impressed by eloquent words if the paintings do not live up to them.
At Richard Bostock Fine Art we have always had an excellent relationship with The National Portrait Gallery in London. With their permission we have a link to their site and we even sometimes receive referrals directly from their Picture Library. My advice is do not buy into the hype and hope for the best, but look at the evidence and go for the company that best demonstrate that they can meet your expectations.
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Is the idea of painting copies a new one?
The idea of commissioning a replica is as old as painting itself. Paintings are primarily a form of expression, communication and beauty. The value of oil paintings has always been more than simply decoration or collectable value. Sir Joshua Reynolds once said "a room full of paintings is a room full of thoughts". I believe that, if a painting maintains its integrity, this remains the case whether the painting is a replica or an original.
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Historically why would someone order a replica?
There are many reasons why someone would commission a replica in the past. For example a painting of the King or Queen would demonstrate loyalty and a portrait of a Military leader would express respect for a great victory. Sittings with such statesmen were very rare and therefore artists copied other paintings.
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Is a copy a good investment?
First and foremost experts recommend buying art that you like and if it turns out to be a good investment then it will be a bonus. In monetary terms an original or a copy by an unknown artist will always have a decorative value if it is well painted.
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Is it true that many great artists have painted replicas?
For artists copying has long been a way to learn from past masters. From the Renaissance until Impressionism copying from the masters was considered the only way to learn. Indeed even one of the greatest artists of the 20th Century Henri Matisse sat in the Louvre and painted many replicas of paintings. Some of them are still owned by the French Government. Replicas were often painted by the original artist and there are even replicas in The National Portrait Gallery all of which are contemporary to the original work. Today sale rooms will often refer to replicas using terms such as "school of" or "in the manner of" or "after". There is a great deal more to this fascinating subject that permeates the entire history of art. Many great artists have been asked to paint replicas of popular paintings just as they do today.
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Are there any examples of famous artists who painted replicas?
Yes there are many. For example there are 6 Rose Portraits of Mary Antoinette by Elizabeth Vigee le Brun, and Horatio Nelson is known to have sat for Lemuel Francis Abbot twice in his lifetime, yet Abbot spent much of his career painting portraits of the Great British Naval Hero.
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Should I buy a copy rather than an original?
Buying (or commissioning) a copy presents us all with the opportunity to own beautiful paintings that we are unable to acquire; if the original has been lost or stolen, if your painting is in a gallery, if your painting is too valuable to insure, if there was a family painting that you always loved, then why not have a replica painted? If the original has been lost or stolen, your painting is in a gallery or is too valuable to insure, there was a family painting that you always loved, why not have a replica painted? I think that owning replica paintings is an excellent and fun way to have high quality and affordable art in your home.
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Are all reproduction paintings hand-painted onto a blank canvas or are they prints?
The good news is that Richard Bostock only works with artists that are talented and proud enough to paint their own paintings without the need to paint onto a print. The bad news is that many of my competitors either knowingly or unknowingly will allow their artists to paint on photographs or prints. Compare the difference for yourself. If a painting looks too much like a photograph, the chances are that it is painted on top of one. If the drawing is OK but the light in a painting is really not very good there is a good chance that a poor artist has done their best on top of a print. To me this practice is quite unacceptable. I would feel cheated if this happened to me, wouldn't you?
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If your paintings are so good, why are they cheaper than the same artist's original work?
Regardless of quality a replica will rarely achieve the value of an original which is why I sell fabulous quality paintings for around 35% of the cost of an original work by the same artist. Erratic sales can be make it hard even for talented artists to make a living from their own original work. Painting copies can provide valuable training and regular income during an artist's career.
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What precautions do you take to ensure that a painting cannot be mistaken for the original?
As a responsible company Richard Bostock Fine Art takes great care to ensure that our paintings cannot be mistaken by experts for the original. To a slight extent I allow artists to apply their own style to a painting. Whilst the difference can hardly be noticed this offers a key indicator to an expert and it also gives artists a level of freedom to recreate the energy of the original work. We also use contemporary high quality canvas and new professional quality oil paints which are designed to last. After a while you may start to recognise individual artists' styles just by looking at a painting.
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Are your copies any different from the copies sold by other companies?
The exciting news is that we are very different from other companies. As an artist, I take a great interest in our paintings because I really believe that they are beautiful. I personally oversee each order from beginning to end and can testify to the weeks of hard work that goes into each painting. Even today I still make some of the stretchers, stretch the canvases and paint some of the paintings before personally varnishing and framing them. To put it simply, my business model is built around a passion for beautiful paintings and sole interest is to achieve or better still to exceed my clients' expectations.
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How can I see the quality of your work from your website?
Great news! We have included zoom and supersize features for all our paintings so you can see every detail! You will see these features on some of the very best web-sites belonging to the top London Art Galleries and of course the famous Auction Houses. This is so exciting for us that we are going to have to re-photograph some of our paintings using a higher resolution camera. We don't think that our competitors will want you to see their paintings in this much detail!
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Do you only show your own paintings on this site?
I only show you photographs of the actual paintings for sale. So you will see exactly what you are buying before you receive it. If you are commissioning a painting you can see the quality of our work for yourself online or by personally visiting our studio. Many other sites are not so clear about whether they use photographs of original masterpieces or of their own paintings which seems quite disingenuous.
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Do you show photographs taken from other sites on the internet?
The good news is that I only show you photographs of our own paintings on our web-site. What's more unlike almost all of our competitors, we only show you photographs of the actual painting you will receive. With the exception of our genuine antique paintings, we commission all our paintings from the artists themselves and we do not buy from other galleries or agents. This gives us control over our work, which means that we do not leave anything to chance.
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How can I tell if a site is not showing photographs of its own paintings?
A good indication that a painting has been scanned from a book is that the image will be slightly fuzzier than it should be. There will be no frame and you may even see the original artist's signature on the painting. Some sites that I have recently seen will show a general photograph of the original masterpiece and close ups of their own paintings. From these detailed photographs I can tell that they have done this because their paintings are not of sufficient quality to be shown in full.
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Do you have an archive of images that I can use?
We have an extensive library of images that are available if your project requires. First call us to discuss your project and we can then arrange a time when Richard can visit your home or office. He will bring a selection of images that are likely to be of interest.
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Where can I see the paintings shown in the gallery?
You can view our stock on this web-site, by ordering an interactive DVD or visiting our studio in Staffordshire by appointment. We are 15 minutes from Juction 14 of the M6. You can also view examples of our work by appointment in Central London. Within reason we are also happy to travel to see you with examples of our work. View the Assistance section for contact details.
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Which paintings are suitable for my property?
We are always happy to advise on the correct period of paintings for a property. The type and style of paintings will depend on the look and feel that you have in mind. Please feel free to Contact Us for advice we would be happy to hear from you.
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