Jennifer McRae is a distinguished British artist known for her evocative portraits and masterful use of oil and watercolour. Born in the south of England, McRae moved to Scotland as a child, a transition that shaped her perspective as an observer, an essential quality in her portrait work. She studied painting at Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen from 1987 to 1992, earning a First Class degree in Fine Art, before further refining her skills at the Royal Drawing School in London.
McRae’s work is characterised by its delicate compositions and observational depth. She primarily paints from life but incorporates imaginative elements into her compositions. Her technique involves meticulous preliminary drawing with a sharp pencil on fine Belgian linen before applying oil paint, allowing her to capture the essence of her sitters with precision and sensitivity. Her portraits exude a sense of lightness and ephemerality, reflecting her keen eye for design and an innate understanding of human emotion.
Over the years, McRae has garnered numerous accolades, including multiple awards from BP Portrait Awards, the Ondaatje Gold Medal from the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, and the Lynn Painter Stainers Award. Her work is housed in prestigious public collections such as the National Portrait Gallery, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, and Reading Museum. She has exhibited widely in both the UK and the US, with solo and group exhibitions that highlight her evolving artistic journey.
Her extensive list of portrait commissions includes celebrated figures such as Dame Judi Dench, playwright Michael Frayn, Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, and Sir Tim Berners-Lee. McRae approaches portraiture as an interactive and deeply observational process, capturing not just the likeness but also the essence of her subjects. Her ability to depict her sitters with authenticity and depth has made her one of the UK's most sought-after portrait artists.