Commission a Painting: Capturing Likeness Beyond the Photo
Five years ago, when I first started taking commissions, I believed that art meant accuracy. My mission was to paint portraits or still lifes exactly “as they looked in the photo.” I measured, traced, drew grids, and double-checked proportions with almost scientific precision. At that time, influenced by hyperrealism, I thought that the closer a painting was to the photo, the “better” it was.
In my second year of art school, a colleague once asked: “If we already have the photo, why make a painting exactly the same?” The question was simple, but it struck me deeply. So much so that I still think about that until this day.
From photo accuracy to artistic vision
For a while, I resisted. I kept chasing precision, still trying to replicate reality in every brushstroke. But slowly I began to unlearn. I experimented with looser brushwork, bolder colors, and more expressive strokes.
A new teacher encouraged me to break free from the grid and paint faster, more intuitively. And it was…fun. I started doing portraits where people complemented the colors. I was getting somewhere. But today, if I take a look back, that wasn’t as colorful as I paint today, not even close. That was my grey period, a necessary transition before rediscovering color.
Yet commissions were also a reality check. A girl needs to pay the bills, and I couldn’t postpone working until I had “perfected” my style. I started small, offering what I could do at that time: portraits that leaned on realism, sometimes dull, sometimes stiff, but always honest. To me, they felt sloppy compared to my expectations, but my teachers encouraged me to show them anyway, and they were right. Every commission gave me feedback, practice, and confidence to level up.
The turning point: Trust
For a long time, I was cautious. I overexplained my artistic choices to clients, afraid of disappointing them if I strayed too far from the photo. I always say “an apple won’t complain if you make it bigger, thinner, or even a little wonky”. But with a person, you’re playing a different game. But one day, a client told me something that changed my perspective completely when they asked for a portrait: “I trust your artistic vision. Go for it.”
That trust unlocked my freedom. I began experimenting more with colors and textures, not only in still life paintings, but also in portraits. Over time, I worried a bit less about accuracy, and more about my interpretation. I created my 80–120% rule for likeness in commissions. This rule balances accuracy and expression, changing with the subject.
My % rules
Still life commissions
(≈ 50% accuracy)
When I paint still lifes, I use the photo mostly as inspiration. I base about half of the painting on the reference (drawing, composition, elements), and the rest comes from exploration. Colors, textures, and emotions take over. Whether I paint fruit, flowers, or even a kitchen sink, my goal is not faithful reproduction but lively interpretation.
Pet portrait commissions
(≈70% accuracy).
Pets are different. People want to see their dog or cat in the painting, to recognize their best friend instantly. But perfecting their photograph is not the point. I aim to capture their soul.
The sparkle in the eyes, the tilt of the ears, the uniqueness of their fur. Accuracy matters, but only to a degree. Expression does the rest.
Human portraits
(80–120% accuracy).
For people, likeness is essential, but I don’t aim for a perfect mirror image. My rule is 80–120%. 80 for the accuracy, we can accept some margins. But 120 because I aim to capture way more. I want to reflect the best of someone, not just what the photo captures. A portrait should be honest, but also kind.
I remember painting an elderly woman who was self-conscious about her teeth and avoided smiling in photos. As I painted her, I realized her insecurity was deeper than a crooked teeth. I softened certain details, emphasized her warmth, and tried to show her beauty beyond her worries.
Wrinkles became delicate lines of experience. In that commission, 100% accuracy would mirror her insecurities. The 80–120% rule let me create a portrait that uplifted instead of diminished.
Why not just frame a photo?
This brings me back to my colleague’s question: if we already have the photo, why commission a painting? The answer is that a photo captures a moment, but a painting captures a feeling.
When you commission a painting from a photo, you’re not asking for a copy. You’re asking for interpretation. A painting carries the touch of the artist, the choices of color, texture, and emphasis that go beyond what a camera lens can do. That’s what transforms a simple picture into a work of art.
A photo might show what you looked like, but a painting can show who you are.
The role of trust in commissions
The most successful commissions happen when clients trust me. Some even request surprises, giving me no guidelines other than “I love berries, paint what you feel.” That freedom leads to works that are truly personal. Trust transforms a transaction into collaboration.
Of course, there are times when a client wants more control, and that’s okay, too. I always listen to what people want to see in their portraits.
But even then, I remind myself of the 80–120% rule. My job is not only to reproduce but to enhance, to create paintings that people love to live with.
Commission a painting today
Today, after years of practice and hundreds of commissions, I’ve learned that likeness is not about accuracy alone. The key is balance: enough realism to recognize, enough creativity to feel.
If you’re looking for a way to turn a photo into something more, this is your chance. You can commission a painting from a photo, request a pet portrait commission, or explore a still life inspired by your world. I’d love to work with you.
So for holiday season, I’m opening new spots for commissions. Share your photo, your story, and your vision. I’ll bring them to life with color, expression, and imagination. Together we can create a work that not only resembles you, but also conveys who you are.
