Commissioning a portrait is a rare and personal undertaking. For most people it happens once or twice in a lifetime, to mark a milestone, honour someone they love, or create something for the generations that follow. Knowing what to expect before you begin makes the whole experience more enjoyable: the formats to consider, the choices that shape the painting, and what a well-run commission should include.
This guide walks through each of those in turn, so that when you first speak with an artist you can describe what you have in mind with confidence.
Why the Artist Matters
Unlike a mass-produced product, a commissioned portrait is a unique work of fine art created entirely by hand. What you are commissioning is not only canvas and paint, but the artist’s training, judgement and years at the easel. A portrait by an established artist with decades of experience and a record of distinguished commissions carries a confidence and consistency that is difficult to replicate.
This is not to say that newer artists cannot produce excellent work – many do. But an experienced portrait painter has painted hundreds of faces and knows instinctively how to handle challenging skin tones, difficult lighting and complex compositions.
Choosing a Format
Head and Shoulders (Approximately 16 x 20 inches)
This is the most popular size for individual portraits. It captures the subject from the chest up, with enough space to convey character and expression, and is ideal for private collections, studies and more intimate rooms.
Half Length (Approximately 20 x 24 to 24 x 30 inches)
A half-length portrait includes the subject from the waist up, allowing for the inclusion of hands, which can add significant character and storytelling to the composition. Half-length portraits are often chosen for boardrooms, institutional collections and formal commissions.
Three-Quarter Length (Approximately 30 x 40 inches)
This format shows the subject from approximately the knee up and is a popular choice for formal and ceremonial portraits. Three-quarter-length portraits make a strong visual statement and are well suited to larger rooms and public settings.
Full Length (Approximately 40 x 50 inches and above)
Full-length portraits are the most commanding format, showing the subject from head to toe. They are traditionally associated with the most prestigious commissions – chancellors, heads of state and distinguished benefactors – and with grand family portraits intended to hang in a hall or library.
The Choices That Shape Your Portrait
Number of Subjects
Group and double portraits are a different undertaking from a single-subject painting. Each additional figure adds to the composition, the colour relationships and the overall balance of the work, and the artist will think carefully about how the figures relate to one another on the canvas.
Background
A simple, tonal background keeps the focus entirely on the sitter. A more detailed setting – an interior, a landscape or an institutional building – can add meaning and context. If you have a particular background in mind, discuss it with the artist during the initial consultation.
Hands and Props
Hands are notoriously challenging to paint well, and in skilled hands they bring great expression to a portrait. Props – books, musical instruments, pets, regalia – can tell the story of the sitter’s life and work. These elements are worth including when they add meaning, and the artist will help you decide what belongs in the painting.
Timing
If the portrait is needed for a particular date – a presentation, an unveiling ceremony or a special occasion – mention it at the outset. Allowing three to six months from first consultation to delivery gives the painting the time it deserves.
What a Commission Should Include
A well-run commission should cover the initial consultation, the painting itself on archival-quality materials, progress photographs at key stages, minor adjustments after viewing the completed work, professional packaging and shipping, and a certificate of authenticity.
Framing is usually arranged separately, as it depends on personal taste and the style of the room in which the portrait will hang. Your artist should be able to recommend specialist framers.
A Portrait as a Legacy
A well-executed oil portrait on quality materials will last for centuries. More importantly, a portrait is a record of memory, identity and legacy. It captures a moment in time with a depth and permanence that no other medium can match. For many families, a commissioned portrait becomes one of their most treasured possessions – a painting that is passed down through generations, carrying with it the story of the person it depicts.
How to Begin
The best way to begin is to contact the artist directly and talk through your ideas. Most portrait artists offer a complimentary, no-obligation consultation during which they will discuss your vision and advise on size and composition.
It helps to have an idea of the intended size, the number of subjects, whether you prefer a formal or informal style, and any particular details you would like included.
If you are considering commissioning a portrait and would like to discuss your ideas, Hazel Morgan offers a complimentary consultation with no obligation. With over 40 years of experience and hundreds of completed commissions, she can guide you through every aspect of the process and prepare a personal proposal for your commission. You can see how a commission with Hazel works on The Portrait Process page, and the frequently asked questions answer the most common queries.
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