I’m not sure I ever expected my work to travel around the world, but somehow it does! This one travelled a particularly long way, to find its home in the City that inspired it. This colour study of a home in Harris Street, Sydney, was a commissioned artwork. It was to be a present for the clients’ family who lives there. The starting point; a reference photo taken by the estate agent and we hoped to create an inviting study from it. Translating the colours onto a reasonably sized gift canvas.



The agents photo was obviously helpful (as I sadly wouldn’t have time to visit in person!). But I was very aware that the nature of those images can distort how the building appears… at least in an everyday sense to the people living there! I could gleam a little more detail from a google street view, but as the canvas was to be a surprise, there wouldn’t be opportunity to get further references.
Still, I enjoyed the modern feel of the architecture and the challenge of its white finish. With such simplified shapes on the building itself the focus would have to be on the lighting. Plus a few shadows and the smaller railing details. Here’s a little walk around video I captured of the painting as it was finished. I completed the piece with my usual acrylic and ink. Presented on a 30 x 30cm thin profile canvas within a black floater frame and strung ready for hanging.
The piece has now made its journey South of the equator! And I’m glad to say arrived safely in its new home. I want to say my thank yous to Amy for commissioning this artwork and trusting my experience of sending work internationally.
Commissions
To commission a painting like ‘Harris Street, Sydney’ you should check out my private commission guide. It provides a few ideas and starting points, as well as a guide to pricing.
I also love to hear your suggestions, so please get in touch with those interesting places you have discovered! If you’d like to find me online: https://linktr.ee/illustrationbyjonathan.



