How Much Does a Custom Oil Portrait Cost?
If you are thinking about commissioning a hand-painted oil portrait from a photo, price is usually the first question. There is no single answer, because every commission is different, but the factors that drive the price are fairly consistent. Here is an honest overview.
My starting price
My custom oil portrait commissions start from $2,000 USD. The final quote depends on the factors below, and you receive it before any work begins.
What affects the price of a portrait
- Canvas size. Larger paintings take more paint, more materials and much more time to resolve.
- Number of subjects. Each extra person or pet adds a likeness that has to be painted carefully, so a family group costs more than a single figure.
- Level of detail and realism. A tightly rendered realist portrait takes longer than a looser, more painterly one.
- Background and composition. A plain background is simpler than a detailed interior, landscape or costume scene.
- Reference photo quality. Clear, well-lit photos make the work more straightforward; combining several photos into one scene takes extra composition work.
- Framing and shipping. Oil paintings need to dry and be packed securely, and international shipping costs vary by destination.
- Medium. Oil paint builds rich, layered colour but needs drying time between layers, which is part of what you are paying for in a hand-painted piece.
Hand-painted vs printed or digital
A hand-painted oil portrait is a one-of-a-kind physical object made layer by layer by an artist. Printed canvas or digitally generated portraits are produced quickly and cost far less, but they are a different product. Ask any artist you consider whether the work is painted by hand.
How to get an accurate quote
Send your photo(s), the size you have in mind, how many subjects, and where it will ship. I will reply with a quote. Payment is by PayPal or Wise, with a 50% deposit, progress photos along the way and final approval before shipping.
See examples on the oil portrait from photo, family portraits and pet portraits pages. Commissioning a pet? Read how to photograph your pet for a portrait.