Portrait Price: How Much Should You Pay for a Portrait Painting?

When you think about portrait price, the cost of having someone painted by an artist, often commissioned for personal or professional reasons. Also known as commissioned portrait, it’s not just about paying for paint and canvas—it’s paying for skill, time, and emotional connection. A portrait isn’t a photo. It’s a record of someone’s presence, made by hand, with decisions made at every brushstroke. That’s why prices vary so wildly—from $50 to $10,000—and why knowing what you’re actually buying matters.

The biggest factor in portrait price, the cost of having someone painted by an artist, often commissioned for personal or professional reasons is the artist’s experience. A student might charge $100 for a small pencil sketch. A gallery-represented painter with 15 years of work could ask $5,000 for a full oil portrait. Location matters too. Artists in London or New York charge more than those in smaller towns. Medium plays a role: watercolor portraits are usually cheaper than oil because they take less time. But don’t assume cheaper means worse—some of the most powerful portraits are simple ink drawings.

What you’re really paying for isn’t just the final image. You’re paying for the artist’s ability to capture a look, a mood, a personality. It’s the time spent sketching, the number of revisions, the cost of materials, and the fact that they’re giving up weeks of their life to focus on you. A portrait that takes 40 hours to complete isn’t just 40 hours of painting—it’s 10 hours of conversation, 5 hours of photo review, and 20 hours of layering paint to get the light just right. That’s why some artists charge by the hour, others by the piece. And why a $300 portrait from a talented amateur might feel more alive than a $2,000 one from a name you recognize.

There’s also the question of what you’re getting back. Are you buying a keepsake? A gift? A piece to hang in your office? If you want something to last 50 years, you’ll need archival materials and a painter who knows how to seal oil paint properly. If you just want a quick digital sketch for Instagram, that’s a different kind of job—and a different price. Some artists offer packages: basic, standard, premium. Others don’t list prices at all. You have to ask. And if they don’t tell you upfront, that’s a red flag.

Don’t fall for the myth that only famous artists make good portraits. Many of the most moving portraits come from artists who work out of their garages, post on Instagram, and take commissions between day jobs. The key is to look at their portfolio—not their resume. See if their style matches what you want. Do they capture eyes well? Do their subjects look like real people, or like cartoon versions of them? Look at the hands. Look at the shadows. That’s where you’ll know if the price is worth it.

And here’s something no one tells you: you can often negotiate. Artists aren’t rich. But they also aren’t charities. If you’re buying two portraits, ask for a discount. If you’re paying upfront, offer to pay 50% now and 50% on delivery. Most will agree. It’s not about haggling—it’s about building a relationship. A good portrait artist becomes a collaborator, not just a vendor.

Below, you’ll find real examples of how artists price their work, what buyers actually pay, and the hidden details that make one portrait worth ten times more than another. Whether you’re thinking of commissioning one, selling your own, or just curious why they cost what they do—this collection cuts through the noise.