Fine Art and Portrait Commissions

Born in 1975, Arabella Dorman has established an international reputation, both as a portrait painter and as a war artist, having been embedded with British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Arabella’s paintings demonstrate an unusual blend of contemporary perception with classical technique. Though in every way an expression of the modern day, her work is rooted in time honoured traditions of seeing, an approach which owes much to an MA in History of Art & English Literature at Edinburgh, as well as four years training in the techniques of the Old Masters in Italy.

Painted directly from life, Arabella’s portraits combine a mastery of technique with a keen interest in people and individual character. The result are paintings beautifully executed, subtle in tone, and powerfully expressive in content. (see the artist’s Portraits statement)

Arabella’s military paintings are drawn from first hand experience whilst working with British troops in Southern Iraq (December 2006) and Sangin, Afghanistan (September – October 2009). Her work explores the everyday reality of life on the frontline as well as the tragedy of a country and people devastated by war. In particular, her skills as a portrait artist enable her to explore the psychological consequences of conflict and its aftermath for the soldiers themselves. (see the artist’s Frontlines statement)

Having recently returned from her second trip to Afghanistan, Arabella continues to accept a succession of portrait commissions, whilst working towards her next exhibition on Afghanistan.

Arabella is married with one daughter, and lives and works in London.