Portrait painting commissions

Turn a photo into a custom painting by a real artist

A photograph records a moment. A commissioned painting lets a real artist decide what to emphasize: a glance, a relationship, a place, or the feeling behind the image. Find a MadeMay artist whose hand and point of view fit the story you want to preserve.

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Starting at $200100% handmade

The people behind the work

Portrait artists working from photographs and personal references

Every portrait artist sees differently. Some pursue precise likeness; others use color, light, and visible brushwork to capture character. Review their real portfolios before choosing whose interpretation feels right.

Zachary Bowman

South Ogden, Utah

From
$400

Oil portrait painter — semi-painterly realism; figurative & people commissions

Zachary Bowman works from South Ogden, Utah. Their materials include Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, and pencil. Their portfolio includes "This Doesn't Last Forever" and "Creation Series". Talk with Zachary about a handmade portrait or figurative painting based on your photographs and story. Their MadeMay commissions currently start at $400; the final price depends on the specific size, material, and scope.

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Marzieh Shojaei

Tehran, Iran

From
$3,900

Bespoke Hand-Painted Portraits with Presence, Character, and Refined Detail

Marzieh Shojaei works from Tehran, Iran. Their materials include Acrylic painting, Mixed media, layered textures, and archival materials. Their portfolio includes "ETHERIAL2, Acrylic and coloured pencil on panel, 45x60cm" and "ETHERIAL1, Acrylic and coloured pencil on panel, 45x75cm". Talk with Marzieh about a handmade portrait or figurative painting based on your photographs and story. Their MadeMay commissions currently start at $3,900; the final price depends on the specific size, material, and scope.

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Jess Peoples

Nashville, Tennessee

From
$400

Nashville oil painter — landscapes, still life, and figurative work painted from life

Jess Peoples works from Nashville, Tennessee. Their materials include oil. Their portfolio includes "Children on Special Vacation" and "Child on Beach". Talk with Jess about a handmade portrait or figurative painting based on your photographs and story. Their MadeMay commissions currently start at $400; the final price depends on the specific size, material, and scope.

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Cynthia Kinard

Franklin, North Carolina

From
$950

Classical Realist - portraits & faithful copies of the Old Masters

Cynthia Kinard works from Franklin, North Carolina. Their materials include Charcoal, Watercolor, and Oil paint. Their portfolio includes "Pieta After William Adolphe Bouguereau" and "L'Innocence After William Adolphe Bouguereau". Talk with Cynthia about a handmade portrait or figurative painting based on your photographs and story. Their MadeMay commissions currently start at $950; the final price depends on the specific size, material, and scope.

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Sariah Patterson

Mesa, Arizona

From
$800

Oil painter specializing in luminous portraits

Sariah Patterson works from Mesa, Arizona. Their materials include Oil paint and acrylic. Their portfolio includes "General Washington" and "Martha Washington". Talk with Sariah about a handmade portrait or figurative painting based on your photographs and story. Their MadeMay commissions currently start at $800; the final price depends on the specific size, material, and scope.

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Danguole Serstinskaja

Gineitiškės, Lithuania

From
$200

110-time internationally awarded artist specializing in realistic animal and pet portraits

Danguole Serstinskaja works from Gineitiškės, Lithuania. Their materials include Oil paint, Acrylic, and Mixed media. Their portfolio includes "Barbora - Hyperrealistic Child Portrait | World Art Awards 2nd Place" and "Love - Award-Winning Human & Pet Portrait". Talk with Danguole about a handmade portrait or figurative painting based on your photographs and story. Their MadeMay commissions currently start at $200; the final price depends on the specific size, material, and scope.

View Danguole's profile

Real portfolio work

Real portrait work from the MadeMay artist network

Explore finished portraits and figurative work uploaded by MadeMay artists. Each example links to the artist who created it, so you can compare styles instead of choosing from a generic product catalog.

The commission process

From reference photo to original painting

Your photograph is the starting point, not a template. The artist works with you to establish composition, crop, background, palette, size, and the details that should remain true to the moment.

  1. 01

    Choose the photograph

    Share the image you love and any alternate angles or expressions. Tell the artist what the photograph means and what must remain recognizable.

  2. 02

    Select an artist and medium

    Compare oil, acrylic, watercolor, graphite, mixed media, and other approaches. Look for a portfolio whose treatment of faces, light, and color fits your taste.

  3. 03

    Agree on the composition

    Discuss size, orientation, background, clothing, added or removed details, and whether multiple photographs should be combined into one scene.

  4. 04

    Review and approve

    The artist shares progress according to the agreed process. Once the final work is approved, drying, framing, packing, and delivery are coordinated.

Planning your commission

Choosing a photo that gives the artist room to work

Good lighting and a clear expression help, but the most technically perfect photograph is not always the most meaningful one. Tell the artist why you chose it. That context can guide subtle decisions about color, focus, background, and mood.

A custom portrait is priced by the artist, medium, dimensions, number of subjects, complexity, and timeline. Starting prices are shown below for comparison; the artist will confirm the exact scope and price with you before the commission starts.

Helpful details to share

  • Choose an image with visible facial detail
  • Send alternate photos for color and profile reference
  • Explain what you love about the moment
  • Decide whether the background should stay, change, or disappear
Describe your project

Vetted artists

Every MadeMay artist is selected before joining the marketplace.

Handmade originals

No AI-generated art and no factory or mass production.

One connected record

Scope, messages, payment, and delivery stay connected on MadeMay.

Questions clients ask

About painting from a photo

Can an artist combine several photos into one painting?

Yes. Many portrait commissions combine people, pets, clothing, or settings from separate photographs. Clear references and a conversation about scale and lighting help the artist create a convincing final composition.

How long does a painting from a photo take?

Timing depends on the artist, medium, size, complexity, and current workload. Oil paintings may also need drying time before varnishing or shipping. Ask the artist for a project-specific schedule before you begin.

Can the artist change the background or clothing?

Usually. A commissioned painting can simplify a distracting background, change colors, combine references, or add meaningful details. Describe every requested change early so the artist can plan a coherent composition.

How much does it cost to turn a photo into a painting?

Prices vary by artist, material, size, number of subjects, detail, and deadline. MadeMay displays each artist's starting price, and the final price is agreed directly with the artist after the request is reviewed.

Begin with a conversation

Tell us what you want made. We will help you find the right artist.

Share the idea, references, dimensions, budget, and timing. You can compare artists and ask questions before deciding how to proceed.

Start a custom project