How Much Does a Portrait Usually Cost?

by Jim C | Sep 2, 2025 | Guides

Commissioning a portrait can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory. Prices range from the cost of a nice dinner to the price of a small car, and the spread can be baffling if you’ve never worked with an artist before. This guide unpacks the variables that drive portrait pricing, compares typical market segments, and uses real-world numbers from Turn Into Art’s published price list to give you concrete benchmarks.

1. Key Factors That Influence Portrait Pricing

Custom family portrait painting

2. Current Market Benchmarks

3. Real Numbers: Turn Into Art Pricing

Custom pet portraits

Turn Into Art—one of the largest web-based portrait studios posts a transparent pricing grid. The table below shows the most-ordered sizes for one person in oil or acrylic, extracted from their official price sheet. Only 20 % is due up-front; the balance is paid after you approve a digital mock-up.

Add-ons:
• Extra person or pet: + $30 each
• Framing: $24 – $59 for most mouldings
• Rush delivery (<14 days): inquire; typical premium 15–20 %

4. Hidden Costs to Check Before You Order

1. Shipping & Insurance – Turn Into Art ships free worldwide, but other studios may add $50–$250.
2. Customs Duties – Original art is duty-free entering the U.S., U.K., and EU (HS code 9701), but VAT may still apply.
3. Revision Policy – Unlimited edits (as Turn Into Art offers) are not universal; some artists limit revisions to two rounds.
4. Copyright & Reproduction – Commercial usage rights often add 10–50 % to the commission price.⁵

5. How to Budget for Your Portrait

Follow these steps to avoid surprise costs:

• Define the purpose (gift, heirloom, corporate).
• Choose the medium—oil lasts centuries, but graphite is budget-friendly.
• Count the faces realistically; squeezing five relatives into an 8×10 will hurt quality.
• Factor framing early; a $400 painting deserves UV-blocking glass.
• Plan for revisions; collect high-resolution source photos to minimize extra rounds.

A quick budgeting formula:

Total ≈ Base Price (size × subjects) 
     + Framing 
     + Shipping 
     + Rush Premium 
     + Licensing (if any)

6. Where to Start

If you’re looking for a balance of museum-grade materials, flexible payment, and predictable turnaround, explore Turn Into Art’s ordering flow. Their step-by-step system submit photos, approve a digital mock-up, then receive the hand-painted canvas makes commissioning a custom portrait as easy as ordering a print online.

7. Takeaways

• Small, single-subject portraits begin around US $100–$300.
• Each added subject typically adds $30–$100.
• Premium oil portraits in the 24×30″ range average $1,000–$3,000 in the broader market, but Turn Into Art currently lists them at $402.
• Always account for framing, rush fees, and usage rights.

What Is the Best Size for a Pet Portrait?

by Jim C | Sep 2, 2025 | Guides

Choosing the perfect canvas size is more than a matter of taste; it’s a design decision that determines how well your pet’s personality, detail, and emotion translate to wall space. Below you’ll find a data-driven guide grounded in industry standards to help you select the ideal dimensions for your next custom pet portraits commission.

1. Key Factors That Drive Size Choice

• Viewing Distance
  • A portrait hung above a sofa is generally viewed from ~7 ft (2 m); one on a hallway wall is viewed from 3–4 ft (≈1 m).
  • The farther the distance, the larger the canvas must be to preserve perceived detail.
  • Rule of thumb (Professional Photographers of America, PPA): optimal print height ≈ ⅓ – ½ of the viewing distance.
• Detail Resolution
  • Hand-painted work can mask pixel limitations, but the source photo still needs sufficient resolution.
  • Standard print quality = 150–300 PPI at final size (Adobe Print Guidelines).
• Wall Real Estate & Furniture Proportion
  • Art should occupy 60–75 % of the wall area above a furniture piece (House & Garden, 2024).
  • For stand-alone walls, keep artwork ≤ 2/3 the wall width.
• Number of Subjects
  • Multiple pets typically require a wider aspect ratio or larger canvas to avoid crowding heads and paws.
• Medium & Framing
  • Oil & acrylic textures read nicely even at large sizes (24 × 36 in and up).
  • Watercolor loses punch if scaled beyond 18 × 24 in unless matted with a generous border.

2. Popular Portrait Sizes Compared

3. What Is the Best Size for a Pet Portrait?

1. Living Room / Lounge: Go big (≥ 18 × 24 in) for a focal point. Center 6–8 in above the sofa back.
2. Hallways: Narrow walls favor 11 × 14 in vertical pieces or cohesive series of 8 × 10 in.
3. Home Office: 16 × 20 in horizontal over the monitor avoids distraction on video calls.
4. Nursery / Bedroom: Calmer ambience with 12 × 16 in or 16 × 20 in pastels, framed with mat.

4. Aspect Ratio Tips

• Head-shots: 4:5 ratio (8 × 10, 16 × 20) packs detail without excess background.
• Full-body / multiple pets: 3:2 or panoramic 2:1 (e.g., 20 × 40 in) allows breathing room for tails and props.

5. Resolution Checklist Before You Order

1. Photo shot in daylight; fur color accurate (Turn Into Art guidelines).
2. All ears, whiskers, and paws captured—no cropping.
3. Minimum source image dimensions:
   • 2400 × 3000 px for 16 × 20 in (at 150 PPI)
   • 3600 × 5400 px for 24 × 36 in (at 150 PPI)

6. Budget vs. Impact

7. Final Recommendation

For most homes, a 16 × 20 in (40 × 50 cm) canvas strikes the best balance of:

• Enough acreage for fine brushwork on fur and eyes.
• Compatibility with typical wall-furniture arrangements.
• Manageable framing and shipping costs.

Scale up to 24 × 36 in if your wall is wider than 7 ft or if you’re featuring two or more pets. Conversely, choose 11 × 14 in or smaller only when wall space is genuinely limited.

Ready to immortalize your furry friend? Explore our handcrafted options for custom pet portraits and find the size that speaks to you—and your décor.