A Moving Day House Portrait in Birmingham, Michigan

Moving day has a way of turning most of us a little sentimental.

This 8x10 ink and watercolor house portrait was commissioned by a local Birmingham client on the day she was moving, as a keepsake for her family to hold onto the home they were leaving behind. The house itself is a newly built colonial with a lot of curb appeal—clean lines, mixed materials, and a front entry that feels especially welcoming. Even at a smaller scale, there was a surprising amount of detail to include, from the siding and stonework to the wood front door and layered textures across the façade.

The landscaping ended up playing a huge role in the composition. Large hydrangea bushes sit in the foreground, along with a reddish-pink ornamental tree that adds a strong focal point against all the greens. Hedges and garden plantings frame the front yard, giving the whole scene depth and contrast without overwhelming the architecture. Balancing all of that detail in an 8x10 meant making some intentional choices about what to emphasize so the house still felt like the center of the piece.

For families moving this time of year, these kinds of commissions tend to land in a very specific emotional space. It’s less about documenting a property and more about holding onto the version of home that exists right before everything changes.

Learn how to commission a hand-painted watercolor house portrait ➜