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The Ultimate Guide to Commissioning a Studio Portrait Painting
In a world filled with mass-produced products, next-day shipping, and digital photo albums that rarely get revisited, there is something incredibly special about owning a piece of art created specifically for you.
A commissioned portrait painting isn't simply a decoration. It's a way to preserve a memory, celebrate a relationship, honor a loved one, or transform a meaningful photograph into a one-of-a-kind heirloom. Portrait painting has been used for centuries to commemorate important people, milestones, and family histories, and today it remains one of the most personal forms of artwork someone can own.
If you've never commissioned artwork before, the process can feel intimidating. How do you choose a photo? What should you expect? How much input do you have? And how do you find the right artist? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
What Is a Studio Portrait Painting?
A studio portrait painting is a custom artwork created from photographs rather than painted live from observation. Unlike a live wedding painting or event painting, the artist works in their studio, carefully developing the piece over time using reference images provided by the client. This allows for greater flexibility, additional detail, and the ability to create artwork from moments that happened years ago.
Studio portrait paintings can celebrate almost any meaningful subject, including:
Wedding portraits
Engagement photos
Anniversary gifts
Family portraits
Memorial paintings
Pet portraits
Children's portraits
Milestone celebrations
Travel memories
Meaningful homes, buildings, or landscapes
The possibilities are virtually endless.
Why Commission a Portrait Painting Instead of Printing a Photo?
This is one of the most common questions people ask. After all, if you already have the photograph, why turn it into a painting? The answer is simple: A painting and a photograph serve different purposes. Photographs document a moment. Paintings interprets it. Through brushwork, color, texture, and artistic decision-making, a portrait painting emphasizes emotion, atmosphere, and storytelling in a way that feels different from even the most beautiful photograph. Many artists and historians have noted that portraiture aims not only to capture appearance but also character, significance, and emotional presence. For many people, that transformation is exactly what makes commissioned artwork so meaningful.
What Makes a Good Photo for a Portrait Painting?
One of the biggest misconceptions about commissioning artwork is that you need a professionally taken photograph. While professional images are wonderful, they aren't always necessary. Some of the most meaningful paintings come from cell phone photos, wedding galleries, or old photographs.
When selecting a photo, look for images that:
Have sentimental value
Clearly show the subject
Capture genuine emotion
Represent an important memory
Resonate with you personally and bring you much joy!
A technically perfect photo isn't always the best choice. Sometimes the most meaningful image wins.
Can Multiple Photos Be Combined?
Yes—and this is often where commissioned artwork becomes especially powerful! Many artists can combine multiple images into a single composition depending on the project.
This is particularly common for memorial paintings, family portraits, and paintings of loved ones who might never have been photographed together. This flexibility allows clients to create artwork that may not have existed in a single photograph but represents an important story or memory.
Choosing the Right Size
One of the most common mistakes people make when purchasing artwork is choosing a canvas that's either too small or too large for the space. Fortunately, there's a simple trick designers and artists use to help visualize the perfect size before a painting is ever created.
The Painter's Tape Method
Before commissioning a custom portrait painting, use painter's tape to create a life-sized outline directly on your wall. This simple exercise allows you to see exactly how the artwork will interact with the room, furniture, and surrounding décor before committing to a specific canvas size. As a general rule, artwork should occupy approximately 60%–75% of the available wall space for the most visually balanced result. This is especially helpful when hanging artwork above furniture such as a couch, bed, fireplace mantel, buffet table, or console.
Step 1: Measure Your Space
Start by measuring either:
The width of the wall where the painting will hang
The width of the furniture beneath it
For example, if your sofa is 84 inches wide, your painting should ideally be between 50 and 63 inches wide (approximately 60%–75% of the sofa's width). This creates a balanced composition that feels intentional rather than oversized or undersized.
Step 2: Find the Center
Using a tape measure, locate the center point of your wall or furniture. Place a small pencil mark or removable piece of tape at the center. This becomes your reference point for laying out the artwork.
Step 3: Create a Full-Scale Mockup
Using painter's tape, begin outlining the dimensions of the painting directly on the wall.
Work with manageable strips of tape- approximately 12–18 inches long- and use a level to ensure your top and bottom lines remain straight. You're essentially creating a temporary life-size version of the artwork.
Step 4: Secure the Tape
Once your outline is complete, run a plastic card (such as an old credit card or gift card) firmly over the tape. This helps secure the edges and creates a clean outline that's easy to evaluate.
Step 5: Step Back and Evaluate
Now, walk across the room and look at your outline.
Ask yourself:
Does it feel proportional to the room?
Does it feel lost on the wall?
Does it overwhelm the space?
Is there at least 12 inches of breathing room between the artwork and nearby corners, windows, or architectural features?
Don't be afraid to adjust the tape lines several times until the proportions feel right.
This exercise often prevents one of the biggest regrets homeowners have after purchasing artwork: realizing it's much smaller than they imagined.
Not Sure What Size to Choose? Before commissioning a painting, measure the wall or furniture where you'd like the artwork displayed. If you're unsure what dimensions would work best, many portrait artists—including myself at ArtaBella Gallery—are happy to help recommend a canvas size based on your space, preferred orientation, and design goals.
Understanding the Commission Process
While every artist has a slightly different workflow, most portrait commissions follow a similar structure.
Step 1: Initial Inquiry
The process usually begins with a conversation.
Clients share:
Reference photos
Desired size
Subject matter
Timeline
Special requests
The more information provided upfront, the easier it becomes for the artist to understand the vision for the project.
Step 2: Design and Planning
Once the artist understands the project, they'll help determine:
The strongest composition
Cropping and layout
Background details
Color palette
Any custom modifications
This planning stage is often one of the most important parts of the entire process.
Step 3: Painting Begins
This is where the magic happens! Depending on the artist and the complexity of the piece, portrait paintings can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to complete. Many professional artists provide progress updates throughout the process so clients can remain involved and provide feedback.
Step 4: Review and Final Approval
Before a painting is finalized, clients often have the opportunity to review the artwork and request minor adjustments. This helps ensure the final piece aligns with their vision before varnishing, framing, or delivery.
Common Reasons People Commission Portrait Paintings
One of the beautiful things about commissioned artwork is that every project has a story.
Some of the most common reasons include:
Anniversary Gifts- A favorite wedding photograph transformed into a hand-painted portrait can become an incredibly meaningful gift for a spouse.
Memorial Artwork- Many families commission paintings to honor loved ones who have passed away, creating lasting tributes that preserve cherished memories.
Family Heirlooms- Portrait paintings often become treasured pieces passed from one generation to the next.
Celebrating Pets- For many people, pets are family. Custom pet portraits continue to be one of the most popular commission categories.
Meaningful Life Milestones- Graduations, retirements, engagements, adoptions, and other major life moments are all worthy subjects for custom artwork.
How to Choose the Right Artist
This may be the most important decision of all. When evaluating artists, consider their style, portfolio, communication, and reviews. Don't choose an artist simply because they're available. Choose an artist whose work resonates with you! You'll likely live with the painting for years, possibly decades, so it is very important you love the way they paint the world.
A Piece of Your Story
At its core, commissioning a portrait painting isn't really about buying artwork.
It's about preserving something that matters. A custom portrait painting transforms a meaningful moment into something tangible that can be displayed, shared, and revisited for years to come. And if you're considering commissioning a portrait painting of your own, I'd be happy to answer questions about the process or help you explore what might be possible through ArtaBella Gallery's Studio Portrait Paintings. Whether you choose to work with me or another artist, my hope is that you find a piece of artwork that tells your story beautifully.
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