How much does it cost to get your portrait painted?

Understanding Portrait Pricing and What You’re Really Paying For. If you’ve ever wondered how much it costs to have your portrait painted, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions I get as a portrait artist. The short answer? It depends. But in this post, I’ll walk you through the key factors that influence portrait pricing—so you’ll know exactly what to expect when commissioning a custom piece.

 

🖼 1. The size of the portrait

Size plays a big role in pricing. A small head-and-shoulders portrait on paper or canvas will cost less than a large, full-body painting. Larger formats require more time, materials, and detail.

Example:

  • Small – €250 to €500

  • Medium – €300 to €600

  • Large  – €600 and up

These prices vary depending on the level of detail and medium used (I personally work with acrylic paint on canvas)

 

🎨 2. Number of people or subjects

A solo portrait is more affordable than one with multiple figures. Adding more people means more detail, more time, and more complexity.

 

🎨 3. Traditional vs. digital

A hand-painted acrylic portrait will generally cost more than a digital portrait, because it involves more physical materials (canvas, paint, varnish, shipping). Digital portraits, while more affordable, still involve hours of drawing and composition work. Both are personal and original artworks—just different in format.

 

💡 4. The story behind the portrait

This one’s harder to price, but it matters. Some portraits involve a deeper emotional layer—perhaps you're honoring someone you've lost, celebrating a milestone, or turning a favorite photo into a timeless artwork. These commissions often involve extra time in communication, planning, and custom touches that influence the final quote.

 


💬 So… what does a portrait really cost?

For my work, custom portraits typically start around €250 for a hand-painted acrylic piece. Larger, multi-person, or detailed compositions can range from €600 to €1,000+, depending on your vision.

But here’s what you’re really paying for:
A one-of-a-kind piece of art that tells your story. Something no one else has. Something that will live on your wall or in your heart—not just as an image, but as a memory made visible.


📩 Ready to get started?

If you're curious about commissioning a portrait, just send me a message. I’ll walk you through the process, help you choose the right photo(s), and offer a no-obligation quote based on your ideas and budget.

🖼 View examples of my portraits
📧 Contact me to discuss your project