So you’re a blogger, small business owner or social media addict enthusiast in need for a logo or avatar. Or maybe you are getting married, having a baby or looking for a special gift for someone. Maybe you’re someone who just wants a unique portrait of yourself, your family, or your pet(-s). In this article I will show you how to get a custom portrait of yourself!
Realistic picture versus artist impression
In the good old days a nice picture would be the answer to all of the above. But come on; ‘ordinary’ pictures are so old-school! These days it’s all about customized or custom portraits. What is more unique and cool, then a personalized portrait by an artist?!
One of the cheapest ways to get customized portraits, is via one of several apps, like MomentCam. It’s fun, sure, but maybe you are looking for something more unique and sophisticated?
Another cheap way is to make one yourself.
Sketched selfie
But for most of us, a real artist will do a much better job then an app or then we could do ourselves.
So that brings us back to the trend of custom portraits.
Wait …. what about Rembrandt and all those other painters? Weren’t they doing this already centuries ago?
Yes, you’re completely right about that, but….
Custom portraits
…the differences are, that nowadays:
- you do not have to pose for it
- the variety in used media, materials and techniques is much bigger
- thanks to the internet and sites like Etsy you can choose your artist from all over the globe
- prizes start as low as around 12,50 euro
- you usually receive the end result (also) in a digital format, so you can use your portrait for many goals
How does it work
How to find an artist
The people who offer this product are usually artists, illustrators and graphic designers. As said, you can find them online from all over the globe. Etsy is a particularly good website to find one, but sometimes they are not on Etsy and have their own website, which means that you would have to stumble upon them or hear about them from others.
I e.g. picked up on this trend first by reading a blog post on one of the blogs that I follow: The Dainty Squid. Not long after that I read an article in the Dutch Magazine FLOW, dedicated to custom portraits. Several artists, and examples of their work, were shown in that article.
One of the examples that were shown in the article in FLOW.
Five different artists. You can see how many different styles there are. Pretty cool, right?
Which of these artists would you choose? Which style appeals to you?
You can find the artists from the FLOW article here:
- blankabiernat.com
- hebbedinge.etsy.com
- marloesdevries.com
- Msspanner.etsy.com
- Elisabethmcnair.etsy.com
I think it’s a super cool idea, so I decided to explore the options for myself. I did that by going to Etsy and typing in ‘custom portrait’.
I looked at styles and at prices and chose three artists from there:
- DottyEllipsis from the USA; cost: 12,16 euro
- Heeing aka Soojeong Gwon from Korea; 12,50 euro
- Karine from TeaGreenStudio from Australia; 38 euro (plus 33 euro for shipping plus customs)
Later on I stumbled upon Dutch Tim van Broekhuizen via a friend. He became number 4. on my list. (15 euro)
How much does it cost
There is a price-range from as little as 12,16 euros to as much as close to 200 euros. But I would say that most circle around 50 euros.
Many of them work with add-ons, so the price depends on what you want. They may e.g. work with a basic price, say 50 euros, for a portrait with one or two persons in it. Every add on that you want (a third or fourth person, one or two pets, items like a guitar or a car) costs extra.
You decision may depend on what you are going to use it for. I was just looking for something that one day I may use as an avatar. Or not. So I was not willing to spend a lot. If you are getting married, I can imagine that your budget is way higher, which gives you more choices.
Be aware of shipping costs AND customs, which turned out quite steep for me in one case.
In this case the brooch itself cost me 38 euros, the shipping 12 euros and -unpleasant surprise- customs: 21 euros! Bringing the total to 71 euros. Quite an expensive brooch in the end:-(. Custom costs can be avoided if the seller declares it a sample or gift (and not merchandise).
How does it work
Most artists give clear instructions on what they need from you in order to make your portrait. Usually they ask 2 to 5 good pictures. On top of that they ask you to tell them something about yourself, that is relevant for the portrait-making. Some use templates for skin-color and hair color, letting you choose, so they know they have that right.
Usually the artist will need a picture that is like a headshot and some pictures that show more of you and your style.
Once he or she has all he/she needs, the artist makes a first draft/concept. Most artists will send that to you (online) before finishing up, so that you can indicate wether you are happy with it or that you would like it changed somehow.
But it does not look like me!
Some people looked at the custom portraits that I received and said: “But that does not look like you!”. True (in some cases), but not necessarily a problem. It depends.
First of all: it’s not a realistic picture, it’s an artistic impression.
Most artists however do look at the composition of your face, the position of the eyes, the shape of the eyebrows, your cheek line, hairline and characteristic things (sharp nose, blue glasses). They DO want to catch the essence of you and of your personality.
Some will deliver a more realistic portrait, while other artists have a strong personal style that will give everyone they portray a similar ‘deformation’.
In my case, I was not happy with the draft from DottyEllipsis.
In her portrait I did not smile, which is quite uncharacteristic for me. Her end result was better due to the smile she added upon my request, but hers ‘does’ me the least, since it is so generic that is hardly personal or ‘me’ anymore. On the other hand: it was dirt cheap!
The response of friends on the portrait by Korean Soojeong Gwon were the most negative, as in: “Hey, but that’s not you at all!”. I don’t agree. I recognize my essence in the portrait and I love the style of this artist. Totally unique and personal.
I love the style of Soojeong Gwon and no, my face is not that wide nor are my eyes that wide apart, but yes, I certainly recognize myself in it.
Talking about personal: the amount of attention and detail in how he (I think it’s a he…) wrapped and sent it to me was amazing and so sweet!
This was in the envelop.
How cute is all this? For around 12 euros I did not only receive a digital file with my portrait, but also this envelop all the way from Korea, with a handwritten note and a cute bookmark. Amazing!
The main thing is that you choose an artist who’s style you love. They usually have several examples on their site which should give you a good enough impression of the style, the amount of realism or not, etc.
What can you use it for
A brooch is a brooch, clearly, like the one that I had made and that I am very happy with.
I love it when a seller/artist shows that he or she has spent time and effort on the wrapping.
And this was inside the box: a super cool brooch! Wow, I’m so impressed!
See the layering? Like on the flower? The brooch has tiny beads all around. You can pick your color scheme yourself.
If we are talking about 2D images, which most of them are, then the sky is the limit. Some possibilities are:
- businesscard
- logo or house style
- avatar/profile ‘picture’
- blog, website or social media
- wedding or other invitations
- baby portrait or birth card
- portrait for on your wall (of yourself, your family and/or your pets)
- celebration
The digital portrait done by the Dutch artist Tim van Broekhuizen is my favourite.
Which one is your favorite? Would you consider having a custom portrait made? Who would you choose and what would you use it for?
I very much like the idea but frankly find the results disappointing. I do think when you hire an artist to do your portrait, it should look like you or otherwise offer something special. I agree with you that from all the portraits I like your last one best!
Yes, the one that Tim made looks like me AND would make a great profile picture.
I agree with Sylvia. Some of them really do not look remotely like you. That last one is great however. The best by far.
bisous
Suzanne
In terms of usability as an avatar or profile picture as well as in terms of looking like me, that one is certainly the best, I agree.
Hi. I’m soojeong.
Thank you for your expressions and feelings about my work.
I’m woman and became a mother last month.
Hi Soojeong. Thanks for correcting that;-) and congrats with ur newborn! I thought you were a guy because of your business card. It looked like a man with a goatee and I figured that that was you.
I was going to say: I bet you Soojeong is a woman. The detailing of the wrapping is very feminine.
I thought so too, but the business card confused me;-).
I agree that Tim’s is the nicest as in looking like you. I also like the style a lot. The brooch is a lovely idea.
All of them have the handicap that they have to capture a personality just from pictures, which is very very difficult.
If I were to have something like this, I would commission you.
Greetje
Hahaha, that’s sweet, Greetje. But I think Tim would be better;-).