Portrait commission prices in Canada
A pencil portrait of one face can cost a couple of hundred dollars, while a full-length oil of a whole wedding party can run into the thousands. Two choices move the price most: how much of each person is shown, and how many people there are.
How much of each person?
| Medium | Head and shoulders | Full body |
|---|---|---|
| Digital | $50 to $200 | $150 to $500 |
| Pencil or charcoal | $150 to $600 | $400 to $1,200 |
| Oil or acrylic | $800 to $3,000 | $2,000 to $6,000 |
Fitting a family into the frame
Each extra person usually adds about 40 to 60% of the base price, and a bigger surface to fit them on. Full-length figures also need more canvas, so the size grows with the body.
Example: a couple, head and shoulders, in pencil at 11 by 14 inches often comes to about $250 to $900. For a large group, ask whether a head-and-shoulders crop keeps it affordable.
Commissioning a keepsake
For a wedding, anniversary or memorial, pick the finish date first and work back from it. Send one clear, sharp photo of each person, and ask about a deposit and a sketch to approve before the final work begins.
Typical ranges to help you plan, not quotes: every artist sets their own price. Posting a call is free. Seeing who replied: $29; no commission.