Biography

Louise Pragnell’s portraits are renowned for their ability to capture the essence of her subjects. Her commissions range from personal and family portraits, to notable public figures and large-scale military group portraits. Using classical techniques in oil, with a modern sensibility, her paintings aim for both depth and precision, integrating historical artistry with contemporary relevance.

In October 2025, Louise’s coronation portraits of Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg were unveiled at the Grand Ducal Palace marking their accession to the throne. In January 2025, Pragnell unveiled her 2.5 metre painting of Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, commissioned by the Saddlers Livery Company in the presence of Her Royal Highness. Other recent portraits of public figures include Jeremy Clarkson, William Hague and Formula 1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart. 

For almost 20 years, Louise has painted portraits from live sittings in oil on canvas. She has twice exhibited as a finalist in the BP Award Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, and her work ‘The Evil Murdering Misguided Queen Cassandra’ was acquired by the Groucho Club. 

Among her military commissions, Louise has painted HRH the Duke of Kent, General Sir Nicholas Houghton, General Sir Peter Wall, and General Sir Jim Hockenhull. Her three-metre painting of 32 Irish Guards Officers was presented to the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2023. Her group portrait of 25 Household Cavalry officers, unveiled by HRH the Princess Royal, hangs in the Knightsbridge Barracks. 

Above, Louise is shown completing a portrait of ICU consultant and author Dr Jim Down, via Zoom in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown. Recognised for his frontline BBC reporting on the pandemic, Louise donated this portrait for the charitable initiative @portraitsforNHSheroes.

Pragnell studied MA Fine Art at Edinburgh University and Edinburgh College of Art, graduating with Distinction in Painting, and the Andrew Grant Bequest scholarship. She then completed further training in classical oil painting techniques in Italy, at the Florence Academy of Art and Rebecca Harp’s portrait atelier.