Portrait Artist Blog

Portrait Artist Inspiration: From Family Portraits to Fine Art Canvas

Portrait painting has always been a powerful way to capture life, emotion, and personality. Whether you're thinking about a custom portrait of a loved one, a family portrait for your home, or a fine art commission from a portrait artist, this guide will help you explore your options. We'll look at the different types of portrait, how to work with an artist, what makes a great sitter, and how shows like Portrait Artist of the Year can inspire your own choices.

This article is worth reading if you're planning to commission a portrait or just curious about how a portrait comes to life. It’s full of practical advice, examples, and behind-the-scenes insights from the world of portrait painting.

Article Outline

What makes a good portrait?
How do portrait artists capture personality?
Is Portrait Artist of the Year worth watching?
What should you look for in a custom portrait?
How do portrait sessions work?
Do you need to sit in person for a portrait?
What’s the difference between a sketch and a full painting?
How do artists use reference photos in portrait painting?
Can you commission a family portrait on canvas?
Where can you see portraits in exhibition?

1. What makes a good portrait?

A good portrait is more than just a likeness. It carries feeling. It reflects the sitter’s mood, character, and even relationships. Some portraits are full of detail and technical skill, while others use loose brushstrokes to capture something more emotional.

Portraits can be formal or informal. You might want something posed, like a portrait in hall style with classic clothing and a timeless backdrop. Or you might prefer something intimate and casual, painted from a photo taken at home.

Whether you’re commissioning a portrait painter or experimenting yourself, think about what you want the finished piece to say.

2. How do portrait artists capture personality?

A portrait artist doesn’t just paint faces. They listen. They observe. They use artistic expression to reflect something deeper. It might be the angle of the head, the way hands are folded, or the colours chosen for the background.

Some portrait artists talk to the sitter at length before painting. Others sketch quietly during a session. Either way, they’re watching for subtle moments that reveal character.

Brushstroke choices, use of light, and even the space around the figure all help create portraits that feel alive.

3. Is Portrait Artist of the Year worth watching?

Yes. Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year is one of the most insightful ways to see the painting process unfold. In each episode, you watch artists work live in front of the sitter and the three judges—Kate Bryan, Tai Shan Schierenberg, and Kathleen Soriano. It’s a chance to see how many artists approach the same subject differently.

If you’re commissioning a portrait, the show gives you ideas on what styles appeal to you. It also highlights the importance of drawing skills, composition, and choice of materials.

Whether or not you agree with the judges, it's a good way to understand what makes a portrait work—or not.

4. What should you look for in a custom portrait?

When commissioning a custom portrait, ask yourself a few questions:

Do you want a traditional oil canvas or something more modern like digital or ink?
Should the portrait be of one person, or a group, like a family portrait?
Is the sitter available for live sessions, or will it be based on a reference photo?

The artist’s style matters, but so does your comfort with their working method. Some offer Zoom calls to meet the sitter. Others work from high-quality photographs. Make sure you see previous work before agreeing.

5. How do portrait sessions work?

A portrait session can last a few hours or stretch across multiple sittings. Some artists prefer working entirely in person, setting up an easel and painting while you sit. Others take photos and finish the portrait later.

The day of the shoot is often relaxed. Artists might chat to make you feel at ease. You might be asked to sit still or move naturally.

Some portrait sessions happen over Facetime, especially if the artist and sitter are in different places. In this case, lighting and camera quality become more important.

6. Do you need to sit in person for a portrait?

Not always. Many artists create portraits from a reference photo, or a series of images. Some even accept photos sent over email or captured in a casual setting.

With improvements in video calling, some artists are offering Facetime or Zoom sessions, especially for clients who live far away. This still gives the artist a chance to observe body language and facial expressions in motion.

If in-person sittings are possible, they can offer more nuance. But it’s not essential for a beautiful portrait.

7. What’s the difference between a sketch and a full painting?

A sketch captures the early structure of a portrait. It might be done in pencil, charcoal, or ink. Some are simple outlines, while others are shaded with detail. Sketches are quicker and often cost less.

A full portrait painting is more complex. It involves layering, colour mixing, and often oil or acrylic paints. This takes more time and often brings a richer result.

Some clients start with a sketch to test out ideas before committing to a painted portrait.

8. How do artists use reference photos in portrait painting?

Reference photos help artists create a portrait with accuracy. Photos are useful when the sitter can’t attend sessions or when capturing small children or pets who won’t stay still.

A good reference photo has natural light, sharp detail, and a true expression. Artists may request a series of images from different angles to understand the sitter better.

Photos can show structure, but they can also be flat. That’s where the artist brings the scene to life using their skill and style to restore the missing vibrancy.

9. Can you commission a family portrait on canvas?

Yes, a family portrait on canvas is a popular way to mark a milestone—birthdays, anniversaries, or simply to celebrate a bond. These portraits may include two or more people, often posed together in a warm or formal setting.

Some families choose a scene from everyday life, while others opt for something posed and timeless. You’ll need to decide whether you want the artist to work from a photo, or arrange a group sitting.

These portraits often end up as centrepieces in the home. They’re also passed down, becoming part of the family’s visual history.

10. Where can you see portraits in exhibition?

Portrait exhibitions take place year-round across the UK. Larger art galleries often feature rotating shows that include portrait painting, sketches, and fine art studies of the human form.

Some venues focus on contemporary art while others celebrate more classical styles. You’ll often find portraits as part of group shows, graduate exhibitions, or solo presentations by established artists.

To stay updated, follow art venues online or sign up to mailing lists for places like Battersea Arts Centre, London art fairs, or local galleries in your area. Seeing portraits up close gives you a better sense of scale, brushstroke, and artistic expression that doesn’t always translate online.

Summary: What to Remember When Choosing a Portrait

A strong portrait reflects emotion, not just likeness.
Watch Portrait Artist of the Year to learn how portraits are made.
Choose a style and artist that fits your vision.
Portraits can be made from photos, live sittings, or video calls.
Sketches are quicker; paintings are more detailed and layered.
Ask about the painting process and what’s expected on the day of the shoot.
Portraits can be intimate, formal, traditional, or modern.
Use high-quality reference photos if the sitter can’t attend.
Family portraits are a great way to celebrate connection.
Visit exhibitions at galleries and art centres to experience portrait art up close.

Thinking of commissioning a portrait? What would yours say about you?