How Much to Charge for Painting a Portrait

A portrait is a painting that seeks to capture an individual's unique attributes in either a figurative or literal way. It can be difficult to decide how much to charge for painting a portrait as there is no standard rate. However, through analyzing several key factors and their relationship to each other, a ballpark figure can be reached. Prices can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on specifics.

The first thing to consider when charging for a portrait is the size and scale of the commission. Is the painting going to be a portrait of an individual, several people or an entire family? More unique subjects will require more work and skill, and therefore should be more expensive than a single person. Also, how large a canvas does the client want? Some portraits are as large tall as 8 feet and can span an entire wall, whereas others are no larger than a postcard. Larger portraits should cost more, and a good rule when considering size is to increase the price by a set rate per square foot when the portrait commissioned is larger than 11-by-13 inches, a traditional portrait size.

The next factor to consider when deciding on a price for a portrait is the cost of materials. To make a profit on the portrait, it is important to charge a price above the cost of the basic materials. Certain mediums, such as oil and acrylic, will cost more to paint with than watercolor. Similarly, canvas quality can vary by price. Before quoting a price for a client, it is wise to discern their specific desires for materials used, as it can drastically alter the final portrait price.

Another point to consider is whether the portrait will be painted from a live model or from a photograph. Portraits done from a live model require more time than photograph portraits, as the artist must work around the model's schedule and comfort level. Similarly, working with a live model may require the artist to travel or invest in certain set pieces or props for their studio if the model is traveling to them.

The artist's skill level and experience should also be factored into the cost. Artists with a small resume and no reputation do not have the same billing clout as an accomplished artist does. An artist's education should also be considered, as classically trained portrait painters from renowned art schools have more impressive credentials than an individual with no training.

A final item that should be reviewed before quoting a price is special client requests. Clients may occasionally ask the artist to enhance their portrait by covering over blemishes, uneven features or physical shortcomings in the painting, requiring the artist to seamlessly blend imagination and reality. This is an acquired skill that calls for extra effort, which can, therefore, increase the overall charge of the painting.