Oil Painting Portrait from Photos

What Kind of Oil Painting Portrait Should You Commission?

Choosing the right oil painting portrait depends on your personal taste, the subject, and the story you want the painting to tell, with options like family portraits, individual and couple paintings and pet portraits. Oil paintings are highly versatile so they are a fantastic choice for a range of portrait types, each with its own unique appeal.

1. Family Portraits

If you’re looking to capture the essence of your family, an oil painting can beautifully immortalize the love and connection between family members. The depth and richness of oil paints make them ideal for portraying multiple people while keeping every detail vivid.

2. Individual Portraits

An individual portrait in oil can bring out the subject’s character in ways that photos can’t. Whether it’s a graduation, birthday, or another personal milestone, this type of portrait can be a lasting tribute to a special moment.

3. Couple Portraits

Oil portraits are a perfect way to celebrate your relationship. The smooth blending and subtle textures of oil paint create a romantic and intimate feel and it is a great medium for couples who want to capture a cherished moment together.

4. Pet Portraits

Believe it or not, oil painting isn’t just for people. Many pet owners love commissioning oil portraits of their pets. Oil paints work wonderfully for capturing fur textures and those soulful eyes.

Your choice should reflect the emotions and memories you want to preserve. Whether it’s a formal, posed portrait or a candid moment, oil painting allows for flexibility in style and detail, making it a versatile medium for all types of portraits.

Why Should You Choose Oils for a Painted Portrait?

Oil painting has been a favorite medium for centuries, and for good reason. There’s something timeless and classic about an oil portrait that other mediums just can’t match.

Oil paints can produce rich, deep colors. This adds a level of vibrancy to the portrait that makes it feel more alive. The paint’s ability to blend smoothly also allows for soft transitions between colors, so the portrait feels more realistic and full of life.

Oil paintings are incredibly durable and, with proper care, can last for centuries. Unlike photographs, which can fade over time, oil paintings maintain their colors and texture. This durability makes them an excellent investment and a family heirloom that can be passed down through generations.

The thickness of oil paint creates a unique texture that gives the portrait a sense of dimension. Artists can layer the paint to achieve intricate details, from the delicate folds of clothing to the shine in a subject’s eyes. This gives the painting a tactile quality that draws viewers in.

There’s no denying that oil paintings have a certain gravitas. They have adorned the walls of castles, museums, and galleries for centuries. Choosing an oil portrait gives your home a touch of classic elegance that few other art forms can provide.

What’s the Process of Ordering an Oil Painting Portrait?

Ordering a custom oil painting portrait includes choosing a picture, a size, framing option and customizing your photo if needed.

Start by selecting a photo that you’d like to turn into an oil painting. This could be a picture of yourself, your family, a loved one, or even a pet. It’s important to choose a high-quality photo, as the details in the image will translate directly into the painting.

Next, you’ll need to decide on the style of the portrait. Would you prefer something more traditional, or are you looking for a modern, impressionistic style? Communicate your preferences with our team, who can help guide you based on your vision.

Pick a size of your oil portrait. They come in a range of sizes, so think about where you plan to display the portrait. For something that makes a big impact, go with a larger canvas. If you’re looking for something more subtle, a smaller size might be more appropriate.

One of the great things about commissioning an oil painting is that you can customize it. Want to change the background? Add a specific detail? Or maybe you’d like the artist to enhance certain colors. Make sure to communicate these preferences when placing your order.

Once the artist has your photo and preferences, our designer will begin with the digital draft. You’ll get the chance to review this draft and request any changes before the painting process begins.

After the draft is approved, the artist will start painting. Oil paintings take time to create due to the nature of the medium. The paint layers need to dry between applications, so the process can take several weeks.

Once the painting is complete, you’ll get a final preview. If you’re happy with it, the painting will be delivered to you, ready to hang in your home or give as a gift.

How Can You Preserve Your Portrait with Oil Paint?

Oil paintings are not high-maintenance, keep it from direct sunlight, dust it regularly and frame it in a high-quality frame. An oil painting portrait is an investment that, with the right care, can last for generations.

Sunlight can cause the colors in an oil painting to fade over time. To prevent this, avoid hanging your portrait in areas that receive direct sunlight. Instead, choose a location with soft, indirect lighting. Oil paintings are sensitive to humidity, which can cause the canvas to warp or the paint to crack. Try to keep your painting in a room with stable humidity levels, ideally between 40-60%. Avoid hanging it in damp areas like bathrooms or basements.

Dust can accumulate on the surface of your oil painting, dulling its appearance. Use a soft, dry cloth or a feather duster to gently remove dust. Avoid using water or cleaning products, as they can damage the paint. Framing your painting not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also protects the edges of the canvas. Make sure the frame doesn’t press against the surface of the painting. You might also consider using glass with UV protection for added preservation.

When moving your painting, always touch it by the frame, not the canvas. Oils are more delicate than they appear, and pressing on the canvas can cause the paint to crack or shift. Over time, oil paintings may develop a yellowish tint due to the varnish applied by the artist. If this happens, take your portrait to a professional art conservator for cleaning. Never attempt to clean it yourself.

Can You Change the Background for an Oil Painting Portrait?

Yes, you can change the background of an oil painting portrait! One of the great benefits of commissioning a custom oil painting is the level of personalization you can request, including adjusting or completely altering the background. This gives you the flexibility to create a piece that perfectly fits your vision or aesthetic.

If the background in your original photo isn’t ideal or doesn’t complement the portrait, you can request a custom background. Many people choose to remove clutter or irrelevant elements from the photo and replace them with something more neutral or meaningful. You could opt for a plain, textured background that focuses attention on the subject, or a setting that holds special significance, like a favorite vacation spot or an important location in the subject’s life.

Is a Hand-Painted Oil Portrait Painting a Good Gift?

Yes! An oil painting portrait makes a thoughtful and personal gift that goes beyond typical presents. Unlike mass-produced gifts, a custom oil painting is deeply personal. Whether it’s a portrait of a loved one, a pet, or a significant moment, the recipient will know that the gift was created with them in mind. This makes oil paintings ideal for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, or even memorials.

Oil paintings are incredibly durable and, with proper care, can last for centuries. This makes them not only a present for the moment but also a lasting piece of art that can be passed down through generations. The rich colors and textures of an oil painting give it a timeless quality that few other gifts can match.

Giving someone an oil painting shows that you’ve put time and thought into their gift. It’s a meaningful gesture that can evoke strong emotions, especially if the portrait captures a cherished memory or a loved one.

What Color Scheme Should You Choose for an Oil Painting Portrait?

The colors you choose can reflect the subject’s personality and the mood you want to convey. For example, if the person is calm and serene, soft, muted tones like pastels or earthy shades might work well. If they have a vibrant, energetic personality, brighter colors like bold blues or reds could be more appropriate. The color scheme should match the essence of the person being portrayed.

If you’re planning to display the painting in a specific room, consider the colors in that space. You want the painting to complement its surroundings without clashing. Neutral tones, such as grays, beiges, and whites, often blend well with various interior designs, while more colorful backgrounds can make the portrait pop and become a focal point in the room.

For a timeless, classic look, opt for traditional color schemes such as sepia tones or rich, warm hues like deep browns, reds, and golds. These colors are often associated with old-world elegance and will give your portrait a sophisticated, timeless appeal. On the other hand, if you’re aiming for a more contemporary feel, you might want to go for cooler, vibrant colors or even experiment with abstract backgrounds. If you’re unsure which color scheme would work best, our team can help you with recommendations based on the subject, lighting, and overall feel you want the painting to convey.