Custom Oil Portrait from Photo: Prices, Timelines & How It Works

A photograph freezes a moment. A custom oil portrait from that photograph turns it into something that lives on your wall for generations. If you've been thinking about commissioning one — as a gift, for a wedding, or simply to keep someone close — this guide walks through exactly how it works, what it costs, and what to expect.

What is a custom oil portrait?

A custom oil portrait is an original painting made by hand, from your photograph, by an artist. It is not a print, not a filter, and not a digital effect. Real oil paint is built up on stretched linen or a high-quality rigid panel over several sessions — layer by layer, brushstroke by brushstroke — until it becomes a physical, one-of-a-kind artwork.

Because every painting is painted individually, no two are ever the same. That is the point: your portrait exists in the world exactly once.

How the process works

The process is designed to be simple, and to keep you informed at every step.

1. Choose your photograph. Upload the image you want painted — a clear, well-lit face, a couple, a pet, or a whole family scene.
2. Choose your size. Pick the stretched linen size and number of subjects. The price updates instantly before you pay.
3. We paint it. The portrait is hand-painted in oil, built up over several sessions. You'll receive updates as it progresses.
4. Your painting arrives. The finished original is carefully packed and shipped to your door, anywhere in the world.

After you order, we review your photograph. If it isn't suitable for painting (too dark, too small, or heavily filtered), we'll contact you to discuss alternatives — and if no good option exists, you're covered by a full refund.

How long does a custom oil portrait take?

Oil paint needs time to dry between layers, and each portrait is painted by hand — there are no shortcuts. As a guide, allow three to six weeks from the start of painting to dispatch, depending on size and complexity. These times are approximate — larger stretched linens, multiple subjects, and more complex work may take longer.

You don't have to wonder where things stand: you'll receive a confirmation when your order is placed, an update when painting begins, a notification when it ships, and tracking where the carrier offers it.

How much does a custom oil portrait cost?

Prices depend on three things: stretched linen size, the number of subjects, and destination. Shipping is added separately.

The exact price is always shown on the order form before you pay — nothing is hidden, and payment happens through secure Stripe checkout once you're happy with the total.

As a rough frame of reference, expect a hand-painted original oil portrait to cost meaningfully more than a print — because you are paying for hundreds of hours of accumulated skill and a painting that will outlive you. For a deeper look at why, see Oil Painting vs Print: Why a Hand-Painted Portrait Is Worth It.

What makes a good source photograph?

The quality of your reference photo is the single biggest influence on the final result. In general:

• Bright, even light on the face — natural daylight is ideal.
• A high-resolution original, not a screenshot or a photo of a photo.
• The subject looking toward the camera, though profiles and candid moments can be beautiful too.
• Simple backgrounds keep the focus on the person.

If you're unsure, don't worry — we'll look at your photo and tell you honestly whether it will work.

Real paint, not a filter

Many "painting" products today are filters printed on canvas. A true oil portrait is different: you can see the brushwork, feel the texture, and watch the light move across the surface as you move past it. It has weight, depth, and history.

That physicality is why a portrait painting has been the way families preserved memory for five centuries — and why it still works today.

Ready to begin?

If you have a photograph that means something, start your order — it takes a few minutes, and you'll see your exact price before you pay.