Portrait Painting from a Photo
Have a hand-painted portrait made from your photo. Our experienced portrait painter creates a personal oil portrait on canvas that captures character, gaze and soul. Ready in 2-3 weeks with delivery throughout Switzerland.
Order your portrait painting today →What is a portrait painting from a photo?
A personal work of art in which a real artist turns your photo into a hand-painted oil portrait on canvas.
A portrait painting from a photo is a hand-painted portrait in which our artist uses your photograph as a reference and paints the subject in genuine oil paint on canvas. Unlike a print or a digital filter effect, every single portrait is painted from scratch with brush and paint. It is an original, unique work of art - no copies, no mass production.
We make portrait paintings from photographs of everything from individuals and couples to families, children, grandparents and loved ones who have passed away. Our guide to personalised paintings shows how we tailor the painting to you - you can change the background, remove elements, combine several people from different photos, or order a classic oil portrait with a neutral background.
A hand-painted portrait is the most personal gift you can give - or give yourself. It hangs on the wall for 50+ years, captures gaze and character in a way photos never can, and becomes an heirloom passed on within the family.
6 reasons to choose a hand-painted portrait over a print
A hand-painted portrait and a photo print on canvas may look the same on screen - but the difference in real life is enormous.
1. Genuine oil paint
We paint with professional oil paint directly on canvas - not acrylic, not a print, not digital post-processing. You can see and feel the brushstrokes and the depth of the paint, exactly as in a gallery piece.
2. Personal character
A print simply copies pixels. A portrait painter interprets the subject, emphasises what matters most, and adds life and personality. It is the difference between a passport photo and a real portrait.
3. Lasts 50+ years
Oil paint with a UV-protective varnish keeps the colours beautiful for many decades. Prints fade within 5-10 years, especially in sunlight. A hand-painted portrait becomes an heirloom that lives on for generations.
4. Shadow and depth
A portrait painter can model the face with shadows, light and soft interpretation in a way a print physically cannot. That is what makes the portrait look alive - as if the person were looking back at you.
5. The best gift
A hand-painted portrait feels special - because it is special. Customers tell us again and again that the recipient cried when they unwrapped the portrait. That does not happen with a print.
6. Full customisation
We can change the background, add people from other photos, remove glare from glasses, adjust the light and adapt the style. You have complete artistic freedom - something that is impossible with a print.
Prices for portrait paintings from a photo
One fixed price per size - frame and shipping included. All prices are for a hand-painted oil portrait on canvas with a floating frame and free shipping throughout Switzerland.
| Size | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 60 x 40 cm | 495 CHF | Smaller portrait - office, shelf, bedroom |
| 70 x 50 cm Popular | 645 CHF | Classic single portrait - hallway, stairwell |
| 70 x 70 cm | 795 CHF | Large single portrait or couple - living room, lounge |
| 100 x 70 cm | 1'095 CHF | Statement portrait or family portrait - above the sofa |
A floating frame in black, white, natural, silver or gold is included in the price - the painting arrives ready to hang. Prices incl. 8.1 % VAT. If you would like help choosing a size, read our size guide for paintings or our price guide to hand-painted portraits.
Want to see what finished paintings look like in real life? See 7 real examples from the studio here.
How to choose the right photo for your portrait painting
The quality of the photo is the most important raw material we have. Follow these 5 tips and your portrait will turn out as beautiful as possible.
1 Choose a sharp photo
Sharpness is more important than resolution. A small, razor-sharp photo gives a better portrait than a large, blurry one. Make sure the face is in focus - especially the eyes and mouth.
2 Natural light works best
Photos taken in daylight or soft indoor light work best. Avoid harsh flash, backlighting and photos where half the face lies in deep shadow - they are hard to interpret.
3 Choose an expression you love
A good portrait captures personality. Choose a photo where the person's expression is genuine and recognisable - a smile, a focused gaze, or the way they always look at you.
4 Close enough to the face
We recommend that the face fills at least a quarter of the picture. A full-length picture taken from a long distance gives us too little detail to work with, and the portrait becomes less precise.
5 Send several options
If you are in doubt, send 2-3 photos. We will give you a free assessment of which will make the best portrait - or whether we can combine the best of several photos.
Read our detailed guide to preparing your photo for painting for even more tips and examples.
How your portrait painting is made
From the moment you click order until the portrait hangs on your wall takes about 2-3 weeks. Here is the process step by step.
From photo to finished portrait in 2-3 weeks
Order
Upload your photo, choose a size and, if you like, a frame. Ordering takes 5-10 minutes online.
Photo approval
We review your photo and confirm that it is suitable. If not, we help you choose a better one.
We paint
Our portrait painter creates your work in genuine oil paint over 7-10 days. You receive pictures along the way.
Delivery
The finished portrait is professionally packed and shipped by DHL/UPS. Ready to hang.
What our customers say about their portrait painting
Our customers rate us Trustpilot 4.5 / 5 · 1,689 reviews. Here is what some of them say.
"I was nervous about whether it would look like my mother - but it was absolutely fantastic. The brushstrokes give it a life that a print could never have. She cried when she unwrapped it."
"A portrait painting from a photo of my late grandfather. The painter used an old black-and-white photo and made it in colour. It is as if he is with us again. Thank you."
"Ordered a couple's portrait for our 25th wedding anniversary. The quality is gallery class. Our friends ask where we bought it - they thought it was made by an artist in Paris."
Frequently asked questions about portrait paintings from a photo
Are the paintings made by AI, a printer or a robot?
No. Every painting is 100 % hand-painted with oil paint on canvas by a trained artist - no AI, print or machines are involved. That is why a painting takes 2-3 weeks, and you receive pictures of the process and approve the painting before we ship it. When you hold the painting in your hands, you can feel the texture of the brushstrokes on the surface. See here how you can tell the difference between hand-painted and print yourself.
How long does it take to have a portrait painting made from a photo?
The total delivery time is 2-3 weeks from order until the portrait is at your home. Our portrait painter spends 7-10 days on the painting itself, and then it is packed and shipped by DHL/UPS.
Need it faster - for a birthday or a special day? Contact us and we will see whether we can prioritise your order. For busy periods such as Christmas and Mother's Day, we recommend ordering in good time.
How much does a portrait painting from a photo cost?
The price depends on the size: one fixed price per size - frame and shipping included. Examples:
60 x 40 cm: 495 CHF
70 x 50 cm: 645 CHF
70 x 70 cm: 795 CHF
100 x 70 cm: 1'095 CHF
All prices are for a hand-painted oil portrait on canvas - the floating frame and free shipping throughout Switzerland are included. Prices incl. 8.1 % VAT. See more sizes and order directly on the product page, or read our price guide.
Which photos work best for a portrait painting?
The best photos are sharp, well lit, and taken close enough to the face. Natural daylight gives the most beautiful result. We recommend that the face fills at least a quarter of the picture, so the portrait painter has enough detail to work with.
Old photographs - including black and white - work well. We can paint them in colour if you wish. Read our guide to choosing a photo for more tips and examples.
Can you paint several people in the same portrait?
Yes, absolutely. We paint couple portraits, family portraits with 3-6 people, and combinations in which we add late family members from other photos. Because every portrait is hand-painted from scratch, we can compose the motif exactly as you wish.
For family portraits with 3 or more people, we recommend a size of at least 50 x 70 cm, so that we have room to paint every face in good detail.
Will I be shown a preview or pictures along the way?
Yes. Our portrait painter sends you pictures of the painting along the way, so you can follow the process and give feedback before it is finished. If you would like adjustments - perhaps the gaze should be a little softer, or the background a little darker - we will correct it straight away.
That is your guarantee that the finished portrait lives up to your expectations before it is shipped.
What if I am not satisfied with the portrait?
We offer a 100 % satisfaction guarantee. If the portrait does not live up to your expectations, we will repaint it free of charge or you get all your money back. It happens extremely rarely - we have 4.5 / 5 stars on Trustpilot from 1,689 reviews.
Read the details on our satisfaction guarantee page.
Which sizes do you offer for portrait paintings?
We offer portrait paintings in many sizes, from 60 x 40 cm up to large statement pieces of 100 x 120 cm. The most popular are 70 x 50 cm (classic single portrait) and 60 x 40 cm.
Not sure which size suits your wall? Read our size guide for paintings - or take a photo of the wall and send it to us, and we will be happy to help.
Where do you deliver the portrait paintings?
We deliver throughout Switzerland, and shipping is included in the price. The portrait is professionally packed with corner protectors and padding so that it arrives safely. It is delivered with duty and VAT paid (DDP) - no extra charges on delivery.
The floating frame is included in the price, so the portrait is ready to hang as soon as it arrives. See our frame guide for inspiration when choosing a frame.
Can I get a portrait painting in time for Christmas?
Yes - if you order by 1 December. A portrait painting takes 2-3 weeks from order to delivery (7-10 days of painting time, drying time and shipping), so ordering early ensures it is under the tree. The sooner you order, the more time the artist has for the details.
If you order after 1 December, contact us - for a surcharge we can in some cases offer express production. Alternatively, a gift card for a personalised painting is a lovely solution: the recipient chooses the photo and size themselves, and the gift card is valid for 2 years.
Order your portrait painting today
A hand-painted portrait from a photo is the most personal gift you can give - or give yourself. Ready in 2-3 weeks with a 100 % satisfaction guarantee.