Ever wondered why your mate’s selfie costs nothing and a painted portrait eats up a serious chunk of your rainy-day savings? People have splashed cash—sometimes loads of it—on portraits from famous and even unknown artists through history. But just how much do portrait painters charge these days, especially here in the UK? Some prices can sweep you off your feet, and not always in a good way. Let’s find out where that money goes and if splashing out on a painted likeness is worth it.
The Real Cost Behind a Portrait: What Influences a Painter’s Fee?
So, you see a portrait painter’s website and your first reaction is usually: “Wait… am I reading that right?!” The truth is, there’s no fixed price because portrait commission cost swings wildly. In Sheffield, London, and all over the UK, prices start anywhere from £150 for a simple head-and-shoulders sketch, and they can sprint right past the £20,000 line for big oil masterpieces. It’s not a Tesco value meal, that’s for sure.
But what’s behind those numbers? First up, the painter’s reputation is massive. If the artist has painted someone with a blue tick or belongs to the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, expect to pay for that badge. Well-known names can ask ten times what a talented newcomer might. Then there’s the artist’s experience and style. Watercolours usually cost less than oil, and a realist artist’s rates might be worlds apart from someone working in a quirky cartoon style.
Next, take a look at size. A pocket-sized portrait to fit your nan’s mantelpiece? Cheaper than a life-sized canvas fit for a stately home. Full-body paintings cost more than head-and-shoulders, and anything with loads of detail—think jewellery, pets, or a gothic background—ramps up the hours and the price. I’ve seen artists charge £300 to £800 for a small A4 commission, while a two-metre portrait from an artist in London? You’re in five-figure territory.
Location matters too. Painters in big cities like London, Manchester, and Edinburgh usually charge more than someone in a small town. It’s partly a cost-of-living thing and partly due to client demand. But don’t forget the time factor: making a portrait isn't an afternoon job. Many professional artists spend weeks or even months refining their work. Some quote work by the hour (£30-£120 is common in 2025) but set final fees depending on the brief.
Still, portraits aren’t always about the painter’s price list. Add in travel, framing, and photography if you want the work reproduced. If a session involves the sitter posing for hours, with fancy lighting and all, you might rack up extra costs. Want the artist to deliver the piece in person, or is shipping involved? Factor it in.
Interesting to note, a survey by the Mall Galleries in London found in 2024 that the average fee for established portraitists hovered between £1,200 and £3,500 for a single-person oil painting. But they also found a third of artists took commissions under £1,000—often from local clients, charities, or anyone wanting a digital portrait for their socials.
For something really special, the ultra-famous faces land far higher. When the National Portrait Gallery in London commissioned top artist Jonathan Yeo to paint the new portrait of King Charles III, the rumour mill said his fee neared £50,000 (though official numbers were hush-hush). That’s royally expensive, for sure, but most ordinary folk aren’t paying at anywhere near that level.
The main takeaway here? The bigger the artist, the bigger the canvas, the longer the hours, and the fancier the materials—the more your wallet’s going to feel the pinch.
Comparing Portrait Styles: Digital, Oil, Watercolour, and More
If you think every painted portrait looks like something straight out of Downton Abbey, it’s time to look again. Techniques have exploded, with digital portraits now a mainstream option, especially for younger clients or anyone wanting to share easily online. Digital artists in the UK charge as little as £60 for a well-executed likeness, but some charge up to £500 or more if they’re known for A-list commissions or a unique style.
Oil paint remains the gold standard for a lot of traditionalists, though. There’s something about the smell of real paint and the texture of canvas that digital can’t quite touch. Yet, oils are also the priciest option thanks to the time, skill, and materials involved. Starting at about £500, many oil portrait commissions in 2025 hit the £2,000 mark for a small to mid-size painting. Top-tier artists, as mentioned, can charge £10,000 or more for bigger or multi-sitter portraits.
Watercolour and charcoal sit in the middle when it comes to price. You can snag a lovely watercolour for anywhere from £100 to £1,500, depending on the artist’s skill and the portrait’s detail. Charcoal sketches are often a good entry point, especially for families wanting to gift something timeless without breaking the bank, ranging from £70 to £500.
Of course, a portrait is personal, so the “right” style is the one you feel best tells your story. Want a moody, dramatic look? Seek out artists who bring that to the table. There are even artists who incorporate collage, embroidery, or even mixed media (think fabric stuck onto the background) for folks who love something different. Prices here are unpredictable—you’ll need to chat to the artist directly.
What if you want a portrait with your partner, your dog, or your whole family? The price climbs with every extra face or set of paws. Many artists add about 50% on top for each additional person, and sometimes charge per pet as well. It’s always best to get a precise quote, with all the extras listed, right from the start.
Some artists post their price lists online, but many prefer to talk things through since every commission is different. If you find a price suspiciously low, pause. Is the artist new, working from templates, or using filters? Or do they just work faster and want more commissions in the year? There’s nothing wrong with a bargain, but for a one-off family heirloom, quality matters. As artist and author David Hockney said, “The process should always match the personality of the sitter.”
Here’s a quick breakdown of typical UK rates in 2025:
- Digital portrait: £60 to £500
- Charcoal or pencil sketch: £70 to £500
- Watercolour: £100 to £1,500
- Oil painting (small): £500 to £2,000
- Oil painting (large or multiple sitters): £3,000 to £20,000+
Of course, there are outliers at the extremes. Some celebrity portraitists charge £100,000+ for gallery commissions, but most artists work somewhere in the brackets above.
One great tip? Read reviews, check samples, and chat to the artist before you book. Ask to see their work in person at an open studio, if you can. If it’s a surprise gift, talk to people who’ve commissioned portraits from them before. There’s a lot of talent in the UK art scene, but also plenty of oddballs or artists who don’t gel with every client. Personal connection matters as much as price.
Commissioning a Portrait: Tips, Red Flags, and Getting Your Money’s Worth
If you’ve decided a portrait’s worth the splurge, don’t rush in like you’re grabbing the last sausage roll at Greggs. Start by researching artists. Instagram is oddly brilliant for this—lots of UK portraitists share stories of their process and finished work online. Some open their studios for visitors or take part in public art trails in cities. Seeing the art up close can be a gamechanger.
Set your budget, but don’t be afraid to ask if the artist works outside their listed prices for smaller or larger projects. If you’re strapped for cash but want something special, some artists offer payment plans—worth asking about, especially for students or new parents who want to mark a milestone but not empty every pocket at once.
Red flags? If an artist demands full payment upfront, run for the hills. Pay a deposit (usually 25-50%) and the rest only on completion. Artists with solid reputations provide contracts outlining costs, deadlines, sitting schedules, and even what happens if either side cancels. Don’t commission someone you can’t contact by email or phone, or whose website is full of dead links and fuzzy images.
The best portraits come from a real connection. Sitters often tell stories, laugh, share secrets, and reveal bits of personality that the artist brings into the painting. “The real art is not just the face, but the story it tells. That’s why people return to a good painter for generations.”
—Royal Portrait Society member Anna Wintle, 2024
Planning a group portrait? Pin down exactly who’s involved before the sittings start. Some artists allow photos instead of in-person sittings, which can be handy for families, overscheduled bosses, or even celebrities who want privacy. Send the artist your favourite photos—good lighting, different angles, genuine smiles. Be honest about what you want (and what you don’t!) so there aren't awkward surprises when you unveil the piece.
Once you’re locked in, be patient. Even a simple piece can take weeks. That’s partly drying times, especially with oils (trust me, you don’t want smudged faces), and partly the invisible bit: a really good portraitist will spend hours on the fine details, mixing the perfect shade for your eyes, or redrawing your favourite T-shirt logo until it’s spot on. Fast work can be good, but rushed work is never great.
Remember, even after the paint dries, there are finishing touches. Do you want it framed? That’s usually extra, and price depends on wood type, size, and style. Is the artist sending you a digital copy for your socials? You might need to pay more for high-res scans or prints.
If you’re gifting the piece, squash the urge to spill the beans too soon. Keep the process secret and, when the time comes, watch the reaction. Portraits have a knack for making people tear up, laugh, or simply stare in disbelief. It’s not just about looking good—it taps into memory, identity, and family pride. In Sheffield’s own Millennium Gallery, a survey of portrait buyers found that 80% commissioned their work to mark an event like an anniversary, graduation, or retirement. That’s what makes every commission unique.
Slices of wisdom? Never commission a portrait you haven’t seen recent samples from. Chat about the “vibe”—serious, smiley, moody… all portraits tell a story, but you don’t want the wrong one on your wall. And if you’re not satisfied, discuss calmly; most reputable portraitists will tweak the piece within reason.
So, is getting a portrait worth it? Only your budget, your taste, and maybe your granny’s approval can say for sure. But in a world full of cheap selfies, owning a painted biography is something different—a curious mix of legacy, vanity, and pure art. That doesn’t come cheap. But, honestly? That’s exactly the point.
