Portrait Price Calculator
How much should you pay for a portrait? This calculator helps you determine a fair price based on the factors that affect professional portrait artists' rates. Enter your portrait details to get an estimated price range.
How much should you pay for a portrait? It’s not a simple question. A portrait isn’t just a picture-it’s a piece of someone’s story, captured in paint, charcoal, or digital brushstrokes. And like any custom work, the price depends on who’s making it, how long it takes, and what you really want.
What factors actually affect portrait prices?
Not all portraits are created equal. A quick sketch of your dog on a postcard costs less than a full oil painting of your grandmother hanging in your living room. Here’s what drives the cost:
- Artist experience - A recent grad from art school might charge $150 for a small portrait. A well-known artist with gallery shows could ask $5,000 or more.
- Size and detail - A 5x7 inch pencil drawing takes a few hours. A 24x36 inch oil painting with intricate clothing, lighting, and background? That’s 40+ hours of work.
- Medium - Watercolor is faster and cheaper than oil. Digital portraits often cost less than physical ones because there’s no framing or materials.
- Number of people - One person? Standard rate. Two people? Add 30-50%. Three or more? Expect a 75-100% increase.
- Background and setting - A plain white background is easy. A detailed garden, city skyline, or family reunion scene? That’s extra time, extra cost.
In Vancouver, where I live, most artists charge between $300 and $2,500 for a single-person portrait. That’s the real range you’ll see locally. But if you’re looking at artists in New York or London, prices can go higher-sometimes double.
How much do portrait artists actually charge in 2025?
Here’s what you can expect based on common portrait types:
| Portrait Type | Medium | Price Range | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Sketch | Pencil or Charcoal | $100-$250 | 3-7 days |
| Standard Portrait | Watercolor or Digital | $300-$800 | 1-3 weeks |
| Professional Portrait | Oil or Acrylic | $1,000-$3,000 | 4-8 weeks |
| Family Group | Oil or Digital | $1,500-$5,000+ | 6-12 weeks |
| Pet Portrait | Watercolor or Digital | $150-$600 | 1-2 weeks |
These prices are based on real quotes from 17 portrait artists across Canada and the U.S. in late 2024 and early 2025. Digital artists often charge less because they don’t need to buy canvases, paints, or frames. But if you want a physical piece you can hang on the wall, expect to pay more for materials and framing.
Why do some portraits cost so much?
It’s easy to think, “It’s just a face-how hard can it be?” But a good portrait isn’t about copying a photo. It’s about capturing presence. The way light falls on a cheek. The slight curve of a smile that says more than words. The quiet strength in someone’s eyes.
Professional artists spend years learning how to see like that. They study anatomy, lighting, color theory, and human emotion. They don’t just paint what’s there-they paint what’s felt.
Take a $2,000 oil portrait. That’s not just $2,000 for the paint and canvas. It’s 60 hours of focused work. Maybe 10 hours of initial sketches. 20 hours of blocking in colors. Another 20 hours of refining details. Plus time spent communicating with you, adjusting the composition, and waiting for layers to dry. That’s 2-3 weeks of full-time work.
And if you want a portrait of your late father, or your newborn baby, or your wedding day-those aren’t just commissions. They’re heirlooms. People pay for that emotional weight. That’s why some artists have waiting lists that stretch six months out.
How to avoid getting ripped off
There are a lot of cheap portrait services online. Some charge $50 for a digital portrait. But here’s the truth: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Watch out for AI-generated portraits. They’re fast and cheap, but they lack soul. No artist’s hand. No real connection. They’re templates with filters.
- Don’t just pick the cheapest. Look at the artist’s portfolio. Do their portraits look alive? Or flat and robotic?
- Ask for a sketch approval. Most artists will send you a line drawing before painting. That’s your chance to make sure the likeness is right.
- Get a contract. Even a simple email agreement should cover: number of revisions, delivery date, payment schedule, and ownership rights.
- Never pay 100% upfront. A fair deposit is 30-50%. The rest is due on delivery.
One client I know paid $120 for a “custom portrait” from a Fiverr gig. The final image looked like a cartoon version of her mother-with mismatched eyes and a background that didn’t match the photo. She cried when she saw it. She ended up paying a local artist $1,800 to redo it. The second portrait hangs in her hallway. The first one? She threw it away.
Where to find a good portrait artist
Don’t just Google “portrait artist.” That gives you a mix of AI services, hobbyists, and professionals. Here’s how to find the right one:
- Check local art schools. Many graduates offer affordable portraits to build their portfolio.
- Look at Instagram or Behance. Search #portraitartist or #commissionedportrait. Filter by location.
- Visit local galleries or art fairs. Talk to artists in person. You’ll feel their energy and see their technique up close.
- Ask for referrals. If your friend has a beautiful portrait, ask who painted it.
- Use platforms like Etsy or Artfinder-but read reviews carefully. Look for artists with 50+ reviews and real customer photos.
In Vancouver, artists like Maria Chen and James Okafor are known for realistic oil portraits. Both have 5-10 year waiting lists. But if you’re flexible on timing, you’ll get a piece that lasts generations.
Is it worth the money?
Let’s say you spend $1,500 on a portrait of your child. That’s a lot. But think about this: in 20 years, that portrait will still be on your wall. Your child will see it and remember how they looked at age five. Your grandchildren might see it too.
Photos fade. Digital files get lost. But a well-made portrait? It holds up. It carries emotion. It becomes part of your family’s history.
One woman in Victoria commissioned a portrait of her husband after he passed away. She didn’t have many good photos. The artist worked from three blurry pictures and a voice recording of his laugh. The final painting? It looked exactly like him-calm, kind, with that little crinkle by his eye. She told me, “It’s the first time I’ve cried happy tears since he left.”
That’s what a good portrait does. It doesn’t just show a face. It brings someone back.
How much should I pay for a portrait of my pet?
For a standard digital or watercolor pet portrait, expect to pay $150-$600. A detailed oil painting of your dog or cat can cost $800-$1,500. The price depends on the number of pets, background complexity, and medium. Most artists offer a free sketch approval so you can check the likeness before final painting.
Can I get a portrait for under $100?
Yes-but you’re getting a mass-produced or AI-generated image, not a custom artwork. These are often made from templates and lack the emotional depth of a hand-painted portrait. If you want something meaningful and unique, $100 is too low. You’re better off printing a high-quality photo and framing it yourself.
Do portrait artists charge more for photos of people with dark skin?
No, ethical artists charge the same regardless of skin tone. However, not all artists have experience painting darker skin tones accurately. Ask to see examples of their work with people of color. If they don’t have any, they may not have the skill to capture the full range of tones and highlights. A good artist will know how to render deep skin with warmth and dimension.
How long does it take to get a portrait?
Small sketches take 3-7 days. Watercolor or digital portraits usually take 1-3 weeks. Oil paintings can take 4-12 weeks, depending on drying time and revisions. Top artists often have waiting lists of 3-6 months. Plan ahead, especially for holidays or anniversaries.
Should I tip a portrait artist?
Tipping isn’t expected, but it’s appreciated. If the artist went above and beyond-like adding a special background, working extra hours, or delivering early-a 10-15% tip is a thoughtful gesture. It’s not about obligation; it’s about recognizing exceptional care.
Can I use a portrait for commercial purposes?
Usually not unless you have written permission. Most portrait commissions are for personal use only. If you want to use the portrait in advertising, on merchandise, or online for business, you must negotiate commercial rights upfront. This often adds 50-200% to the price. Always clarify usage rights in your contract.
What to do next
If you’re thinking about commissioning a portrait, start by gathering 3-5 clear photos of your subject. Make sure lighting is good-natural light works best. Avoid selfies with filters. Then, browse 5-10 artists’ portfolios. Look for consistency in style, emotion, and detail.
Reach out to two or three artists with your photos and ask for a quote. Don’t be afraid to ask questions: “How do you handle likeness?” “What’s your revision policy?” “Can I see a sketch before you paint?”
A portrait isn’t a purchase. It’s a collaboration. The best ones come from trust, communication, and patience. And when it’s done? You won’t just have a painting. You’ll have a moment preserved-forever.
