Portrait Painting Fees: What You Really Pay for a Custom Portrait

When you hire someone to paint your portrait, you’re not just paying for paint and canvas—you’re paying for portrait painting fees, the cost of an artist’s time, skill, and ability to capture likeness and emotion in a single image. This isn’t like buying a print off Etsy. A custom portrait is a one-of-a-kind object made by hand, often over weeks or months. And the price? It can range from a few hundred pounds to tens of thousands, depending on who’s painting it, how detailed it is, and what medium they use.

The biggest factor in portrait painting fees, the cost of an artist’s time, skill, and ability to capture likeness and emotion in a single image. is the artist’s experience. A student just starting out might charge £150 for a small pencil sketch. A professional with 15 years of gallery shows and commissioned work could ask £3,000 or more for a full oil portrait. You’re not just paying for the hours they spend brushing paint—you’re paying for their eye, their judgment, and the years they spent learning how to see a face in a way most people never do. oil portrait pricing, the typical cost range for hand-painted portraits using oil paints, which require multiple layers, drying time, and specialized materials. tends to be higher than digital or charcoal because of the materials, time, and permanence involved. A 16x20 oil portrait on canvas, with proper lighting and background detail, usually starts around £800. Add a full-body composition, multiple people, or intricate clothing textures? That number climbs fast.

Size matters. So does style. A simple head-and-shoulders portrait in a flat, modern style costs less than a full-length, highly detailed Renaissance-style piece with a painted background. commissioned portrait, a personalized artwork created at a client’s request, often based on photographs and involving direct communication between artist and subject. isn’t just about copying a photo—it’s about interpreting it. The artist might ask for 5–10 reference photos, schedule a video call to study your expressions, or even meet in person. All of that adds to the cost. And if you want the portrait framed, glazed, or shipped safely? That’s extra. Most artists don’t include those in their base fee.

There’s also the question of speed. Rush jobs cost more. If you need a portrait in two weeks instead of two months, expect to pay a premium. Artists plan their time carefully. A portrait isn’t something you can dash off in an afternoon—it takes layering, drying, adjusting, and reworking. The best portrait artists work slowly because they know the difference between a good likeness and a great one.

And don’t assume that more expensive always means better. Some of the most moving portraits come from artists who charge modest rates but have deep emotional insight. Others charge high fees because of their name, not their skill. Look at their past work—not their Instagram followers. See if their style matches what you want. Ask to see full portraits, not just headshots. Check if they’ve painted people who look like you. And always, always ask for a written agreement that includes the price, timeline, number of revisions, and what happens if you don’t like the final result.

Portrait painting fees aren’t just about money—they’re about trust. You’re asking someone to capture something deeply personal: your face, your presence, your essence. That’s not something you want to rush or skimp on. The right artist will make you feel seen. And that’s worth more than any price tag.

Below, you’ll find real insights from artists and collectors on what portrait painting fees actually look like in practice—from the cheapest sketches to the most elaborate commissions. Whether you’re thinking of ordering one or just curious how the art world works, these posts break it down without fluff.