What Affects the Price of a Custom Portrait? A Pricing Guide
“How much does a custom portrait cost?” is usually the first question people ask, and it’s a fair one — custom art doesn’t come with a price tag the way an off-the-shelf print does. Rather than publish one flat number that doesn’t fit most orders, here’s a breakdown of what actually moves the price, so you know what to expect before you reach out for a quote.
Size Is the Biggest Factor
A small, desk-sized piece takes less time and fewer materials than a large statement piece meant to anchor a wall. As a rule, the bigger the portrait, the more detail there is to render and the more it costs — this is true of almost any hand-drawn or hand-painted artwork, not just ours.
Framing Options
Every portrait we make is framed to complement the artwork, and frame choice affects price too. A simple, clean frame costs less than an ornate or oversized one, and premium glass or matting adds a bit more. If you already know roughly where the piece will hang, that context helps us recommend a frame that fits both the space and the budget.
Number of Subjects
A single portrait is the simplest and most affordable option. Add a second person, a pet, or a full family group, and the price increases — not because we’re charging per head arbitrarily, but because each additional subject means more individual detail, more time spent on likeness, and more careful composition to keep everyone balanced in the piece.
Turnaround Time
Our standard timeline gives the artist room to do the work properly. If you need a piece finished by a specific date — a birthday, an anniversary, a holiday — let us know when you order. Rush requests are sometimes possible, but they’re worth flagging as early as you can, especially heading into a busy season like the holidays.
Getting an Accurate Quote
The fastest way to get a real number is to send us your photo along with the size and framing you have in mind. From there we can give you an honest quote rather than a rough estimate, and flag anything — like a very large group photo or an unusual size — that might affect the price before you commit.
Quick Questions
Q: Is there a minimum order size?
A: Sizing options vary — the best way to know what fits your space and budget is to reach out with what you have in mind.
Q: Does the price include the frame?
A: Framing is part of what we do. When you request a quote, we’ll walk through frame options together so the price reflects exactly what you want.
Ready to see what’s possible? Browse our current pieces for a sense of sizing and style, or reach out directly and we’ll put together a quote for your specific portrait.