Purpose
In an increasingly immaterial world, Formal redefines the essential practice of portrait painting, an art of careful observation embedded in physical substance.
Each portrait begins in conversation, followed by a focused studio session where the reference image is composed with intention and detail. Every element, including light, tone, gesture, and environment, is shaped to reveal both the individuality of the subject and the context of their time.
Formal honors those who demonstrate excellence, expressed through the families they raise, the industries they shape, or the generosity they extend to others. Painted by hand in rich oils, each work is created with uncompromising care, becoming an artifact of contemporary presence, a material record of a modern life.
Who we are
Based in the Bay Area, the Arvin family builds a life devoted to creativity, craftsmanship, and enduring beauty. Together, Will and Sara, along with their three daughters and one son, see Formal not only as a portrait studio, but as an ongoing family endeavor—one rooted in artistry, integrity, and vision.
Will, a classically trained painter with over twenty years of experience in academic realism, leads Formal’s portrait work with a devotion to excellence in both craft and concept. Sara, an artist in her own right, brings her eye for composition, home and interior design to the environments that surround each work—shaping the aesthetic language that defines the studio.
Through their work and daily life, the Arvins aim to cultivate creativity and purpose in their children, building a foundation where art, family, and the work of one’s hands endure across generations.
Schedule a Consultation
Every portrait begins with a conversation. Schedule a private consultation to discuss your vision, the process, and how we can create a work that reflects your presence with care and integrity.
