How Much Does a Commissioned Oil Portrait Cost? (Pricing Guide 2026)
- Stephanie Künzli Ycaza
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
People often ask me the same question before commissioning a portrait: how much does it cost and why?
It’s a fair question.
When someone considers investing in a commissioned oil portrait, they are not just buying a painting. They are asking an artist to translate a memory, a relationship, or a personality into something permanent. And naturally, they want to understand what determines the portrait painting price.
The short answer is: it depends.
The honest answer is: it depends on much more than most people think.
Why the Cost of a Commissioned Oil Portrait Varies
The commissioned oil portrait cost is influenced by several factors and each of them directly affects the time, complexity, and artistic depth of the work.
An oil painting is not produced in a single sitting. It is built in layers. It requires drying time. It demands precision and patience. And unlike digital images, it cannot be undone with a click.
Every brushstroke is intentional.
When clients ask about the oil painting commission price, I usually explain that pricing reflects three main elements:
Size of the canvas
Number of people in the portrait
Level of detail and composition
But behind those visible elements lies something deeper: time and artistic experience.
Size, Composition, and Number of Persons
A small 20 x 25 cm portrait is very different from a 130 x 150 cm large-scale oil painting.
The larger the canvas, the more time is required to develop depth, correct proportions, refine details, and ensure harmony within the composition. A large family portrait with multiple figures requires significantly more planning than a single-person head study.
When additional people are included, the complexity increases exponentially not linearly. Each person must feel equally present. Their interaction must feel natural. Their scale must be balanced. Their personalities must coexist on the same canvas.
That is why portrait painting prices vary depending on format and number of figures.
Wedding portraits, for example, often involve more intricate compositions, formal attire, delicate textures like lace and fabric, and symbolic atmosphere which naturally requires more studio work.
The Time Behind the Painting
Most commissioned oil portraits take between 2 to 8 weeks to complete.
This timeline includes:
Consultation and concept development
Photo selection and reference preparation
Sketching and composition planning
Underpainting and layered oil application
Drying phases between layers
Final refinement and varnishing
Oil painting demands drying time between stages. Rushing this process would compromise the depth and quality of the artwork.
When you commission a portrait, you are investing in weeks of focused, dedicated studio work.
And beyond technical time, there is the artistic training behind it, years of developing the eye for proportion, color sensitivity, anatomy, expression, and psychological presence.
That experience is invisible but it is embedded in every finished painting.
What Is Included in a Portrait Commission?
When evaluating a portrait painting price, it is important to understand what is actually included.
A commissioned oil portrait typically involves:
Personal consultation
Artistic interpretation of your reference
Professional oil materials and canvas
Studio time over several weeks
Refinement and finishing
Careful packaging and preparation
In many cases, clients also receive guidance on selecting the best size for their space and the strongest composition for their idea.
The price is not simply about paint and canvas. It reflects craftsmanship, artistic authorship, and originality.
Why an Oil Portrait Is a Long-Term Investment
In a world where images are stored on phones and rarely printed, a painted portrait stands apart.
A commissioned oil portrait does not disappear in digital archives. It becomes part of a home. It becomes part of a family story. It can be passed down to future generations.
Many of my clients tell me they are commissioning a portrait not just for today — but for their children and grandchildren.
That is something I take seriously.
Unlike decorative art, portrait painting carries identity. It carries memory. It holds presence.
And that is why the commissioned oil portrait cost should not only be viewed as an expense but as an investment in permanence.
Different Types of Commissions
While classic portraits are at the heart of my work, I also create:
Wedding portraits
Pet portraits
Landscape paintings
Abstract paintings
Digital artworks
Each category has its own pricing structure, because each involves a different creative and technical process.
You can find an overview of my current portrait painting prices on my website under:
If you are unsure which size or format would work best for your idea, I am always happy to advise personally.
Choosing the Right Portrait for You
When considering a portrait commission, it can help to ask yourself:
Where will the painting hang?
Is it a personal portrait or a family composition?
Should it feel intimate or monumental?
Is it a gift or a long-term heirloom?
These questions often determine the ideal size and format and therefore the final oil painting commission price.
Custom sizes are also possible and can be quoted individually upon request.
A Personal Note
I understand that commissioning a portrait is a meaningful decision.
It requires trust.
And that trust is something I value deeply in my studio practice.
If you would like a personal quote, feel free to send me your idea and reference photos via my commission form.
Every portrait begins with a conversation.
And sometimes, that conversation becomes a painting that lasts far longer than we expect.
Your Artist
Stephanie
Swiss Artist based in Basel
SKY Art Paintings
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