Lisbon, Portugal / Open for commissions

Painter, illustrator, & maker of quiet things.

I'm Vera — an independent artist creating work in oil, ink, and pigment from a sunlit atelier near the Tagus. I take commissions, sell limited editions, and teach occasional workshops.

14Years
painting
230+Works
delivered
9Group
shows
Portrait of Vera
— at the atelier, Spring
VERA SOLÈNE · ARTIST · EST. 2011 · LISBON ·
Oil Painting Watercolour Ink & Wash Portraiture Editorial Illustration Limited Prints Oil Painting Watercolour Ink & Wash Portraiture Editorial Illustration Limited Prints
Artwork detail
Brushes and pigments
Studio
notes
02About

Working slowly, on purpose.

Trained at the Lisbon School of Fine Arts and the Royal Drawing School in London, I've spent the last fourteen years making paintings about presence, light, and the small rituals that hold a life together.

My work is held in private collections across Europe, and has been published in Cereal, Apartamento, and The Gentlewoman.

  • 2011Graduated, Lisbon School of Fine Arts
  • 2015First solo show, Atrium Gallery, Porto
  • 2019Residency, Royal Drawing School, London
  • 2023Featured in The Gentlewoman, issue 27
Explore the Work
03Practice

What I make, and for whom.

A small, considered offering — original paintings, editorial commissions, limited-edition prints, and the occasional workshop.

— 01

Original Paintings

One-of-one works in oil and pigment on linen, made slowly over weeks. Released quarterly to my newsletter.

From €1,400
— 02

Editorial Illustration

Hand-drawn ink and wash for magazines, books, and considered brands. Working with editors and art directors.

From €600 / piece
— 03

Private Commissions

Bespoke pieces — portraits, interiors, or a place that matters. Begun with a long conversation, never a brief.

From €2,200
— 04

Limited Edition Prints

Giclée prints on Hahnemühle cotton rag, signed, numbered, editions of 30. Sold through the atelier shop.

From €120
— 05

Workshops

Two-day intensives on observational drawing and slow painting, hosted at the atelier each spring and autumn.

€340 / weekend
— 06

Books & Publications

Self-published artist books and zines documenting series and studio practice. Editions kept small on purpose.

From €28
04Commissions

Three ways to commission.

Whether you'd like a small ink study or a large oil for a wall you've waited years to fill — there's a way in.

StudySmall works on paper
480
A4 / A3 · 2–3 weeks
  • Single-subject ink & wash
  • One round of revisions
  • Signed & titled
  • Worldwide shipping included
  • Framing service
Begin a Study
HeirloomLarge-scale commissions
3,800
80 × 100 cm+ · 3–4 months
  • Long-form conversation & site visit
  • Preparatory studies included
  • Three revision rounds
  • White-glove delivery & install
  • Lifetime restoration support
Begin an Heirloom
05Praise

Kind words from collectors & editors.

"Vera painted my grandmother's kitchen from memory, and somehow caught the exact slant of afternoon light I'd forgotten I missed. I can't describe what it means to have."

Marta Coelho
Private commission · Lisbon

"We've worked with Vera on three covers now. She's the rare illustrator who reads carefully, argues thoughtfully, and delivers something quietly extraordinary every single time."

Henrik Vassallo
Art Director, Cereal

"The workshop changed how I look at the world for a fortnight. Vera teaches the way she paints — with patience, exactness, and a deep love for the ordinary."

Sophie Daum
Workshop participant · Spring
06Questions

Things people often ask.

If yours isn't here, write to me directly — I read every message.

Write to Vera
  • How does the commission process begin?

    It begins with a long email, then a call. I want to understand the room, the person, the reason — long before I touch a brush. From there I send a brief proposal, a deposit invoice, and a timeline.

  • How long does a commission take?

    A study takes two to three weeks. Mid-scale oils take six to eight weeks. Large-scale heirloom pieces take three to four months, sometimes longer — I never start the clock until I'm ready to begin properly.

  • Do you ship internationally?

    Yes — to most countries, with full insurance and tracked delivery. EU shipping is included on Atelier and Heirloom commissions; elsewhere I'll quote shipping with the proposal.

  • Can I see the work in progress?

    Of course. I send progress photographs at three points — underpainting, mid-build, and just before varnish. Some collectors prefer the surprise of the finished piece; both are welcome.

  • When are workshops next?

    Workshops run twice a year, in May and October, with eight places per weekend. Dates are released through the newsletter first. Sign up at the bottom of this page.

  • Can I license existing work?

    Sometimes — depending on the use, edition, and how it sits beside the original. Write to me with the project and I'll let you know honestly whether it's a good fit.

07Studio

Let's begin a conversation.

Whether it's a commission, a workshop, a project — or just a hello — I'd be delighted to read it. I reply within three working days.

Atelier

Rua das Janelas Verdes 38
1200-690 Lisbon, Portugal

Phone

+351 21 460 2238

Visiting hours

By appointment · Tue–Fri