Commissioned Portrait: What It Is, How It Works, and What to Expect

A commissioned portrait, a personalized artwork created by an artist based on a client’s request. Also known as a custom portrait, it’s not just a picture—it’s a collaboration between you and an artist to capture someone’s likeness, mood, or story in paint, pencil, or digital form. Unlike buying a print or stock photo, a commissioned portrait is made just for you. You choose the subject, the style, the background, even the mood. It’s the difference between grabbing a generic mugshot and having a painting that feels like it was made to hang on your wall for generations.

People hire portrait artists for all kinds of reasons. Maybe you want to honor a loved one who’s passed. Maybe you’re giving a gift that actually means something. Or maybe you just want to see yourself—or your pet—looked at with real attention and skill. The best portrait artist, a professional who specializes in capturing human likeness with emotional depth. Also known as a portrait painter, they don’t just copy faces—they interpret them. They ask questions. They study lighting. They pick the right brush strokes. And they know how to turn a photo into something alive. A good artist won’t just paint what you see—they’ll paint what you feel.

That’s why portrait pricing, the cost of hiring an artist to create a custom portrait, varies widely based on skill, medium, size, and time. Also known as custom portrait cost, it can range from under $200 for a simple sketch to over $5,000 for a large oil painting with intricate details. A quick charcoal drawing? That’s affordable. A full-color oil portrait with a detailed background, multiple subjects, and weeks of work? That’s an investment. What you pay reflects the artist’s experience, the materials they use, and how much of their time you’re claiming. Don’t assume cheaper is better—sometimes the cheapest option ends up costing more because you have to redo it.

And here’s the thing: a portrait commission, the formal process of hiring an artist to create a custom portrait. Also known as a commissioned artwork, it’s not just about handing over cash and waiting. It’s a conversation. You need to share references. You need to talk about what you want to highlight—the smile, the eyes, the way the light hits their hair. You need to agree on deadlines. You need to know if revisions are included. Skip this step, and you might end up with something that looks nothing like what you imagined.

Some artists work from photos. Others want to meet the subject in person. Some focus on realism. Others lean into impressionism or stylized forms. The style you pick changes everything—the time, the cost, the final look. That’s why you’ll find posts here that break down how to choose the right artist, what red flags to watch for, and how much you should realistically expect to pay. You’ll also find guides on portrait pricing, how artists set their rates, and what separates a good portrait from a great one.

Whether you’re thinking about commissioning your first portrait or you’re an artist trying to understand the market, this collection gives you the real talk—not the fluff. No vague advice. No empty promises. Just clear, practical info from people who’ve been through it. You’ll learn how to avoid common mistakes, what questions to ask before you pay a dime, and how to turn a simple request into a piece of art that lasts.