A commissioned portrait, whether of a person, a beloved pet, or a family group, is among the most genuinely personal gifts available, requiring real thought, advance planning, and a working relationship with an actual artist rather than a simple retail purchase. Done well, the result is a uniquely meaningful piece that no amount of money could replicate for anyone else. Done without proper care, the process can produce disappointing results or unnecessary stress.
Finding the Right Artist
The single most important decision in commissioning a portrait is choosing an artist whose existing style and quality genuinely match what you envision for the final piece. Review a substantial body of an artist’s previous work, not just their best pieces, before commissioning, and look specifically for examples similar in subject and style to what you’re requesting.
The Commissioning Process
Providing Genuinely Good Reference Material
The quality of your final portrait depends heavily on the reference photographs you provide. Choose well-lit, high-resolution images with the subject’s face clearly visible, ideally from multiple angles if the artist requests them, rather than a single low-quality or heavily filtered photo.
Briefing Style and Mood Clearly
Be specific about whether you want a realistic, painterly, illustrative, or stylised result, and share examples of the artist’s previous work that represent the direction you’re hoping for, rather than leaving the style entirely open-ended.
Understanding Timelines and Process
Genuine commissioned portraits typically require several weeks at minimum, often longer for detailed painted work, and usually involve a sketch or draft approval stage before the final piece is completed. Build this timeline into your gift planning well in advance.
Budgeting Realistically
Quality commissioned portraiture genuinely reflects significant artist time and skill, and budgeting realistically for this, rather than expecting gallery-quality results at minimal cost, sets appropriate expectations for both you and the artist.
Premium Frame for Commissioned Portrait — Conservation Grade
Conservation-grade frame appropriate for presenting and protecting a genuinely valuable commissioned portrait.
$95 View on Amazon
Archival Print Paper — For Digital Portrait Commissions
High-quality archival print paper suited to printing digital portrait commissions at gallery quality.
$28 View on Amazon
Picture Light — For Displaying Portrait Art
Adjustable picture light designed to beautifully illuminate a framed commissioned portrait.
$58 View on Amazon
Custom Pet Portrait Commission — Hand Painted
Hand-painted custom pet portrait commission from a skilled independent artist, genuinely personal.
View on Etsy
Custom Family Portrait Commission — Illustrated Style
Bespoke illustrated family portrait commission, stylised and genuinely unique to the family.
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Saatchi Art Portrait Commission — Professional Artist
Professional portrait commission via Saatchi Art’s curated network of represented artists.
View on Etsy✕ What to Avoid
- Choosing an artist based on price alone without reviewing a substantial body of their actual previous work
- Providing low-quality, poorly lit, or heavily filtered reference photographs; the final result depends heavily on this input
- Leaving style and mood entirely open-ended rather than briefing clearly with specific reference examples
- Underestimating realistic timelines; quality commissioned work typically requires several weeks minimum
- Expecting gallery-quality results without budgeting realistically for genuine artist time and skill