Price

Since the paintings are small it only takes a couple days to complete.  I can keep my prices down since my studio is in my house.  I also have a day job so I don’t need to paint to survive.  All this contributes to the lower price.

To have a traditional portrait done, like with local portrait artist Carol Strebel here in Cincinnati, the price starts at $2200.  Her work is excellent, if that is the type of portrait you are looking for.  I would recommend her.

If you want something more fun, not too serious, and more affordable you can turn to the internet.   The internet is full of websites that will turn a photo into a painting for around the same price as me, or more.  But that leads me to the next two points.

Quality

With the less expensive websites, are they really paintings?  Most of these sites have the work done in another country by printing your photo onto canvas then having an someone put some paint over-top.  Is that art to you?  Did you notice the quality of their samples?  Who really paints them?  Do you know who the artist is?

Again, it depends on what you are looking for.  If you like it, enjoy.  Another option is to have your photo transferred to canvas yourself.  Sign up for Groupon and they usually have one for that type of service.

I am an artist.  The artist that will paint your portrait.  All my work is by hand with the highest quality materials.  I use my skill and judgement to place colors and render likeness.  The technical quality of my work could match most modern working artists.

Originality

Do you already have something painted on a panel?  Have you ever seen anyone with a hand-painted commissioned portrait in their house?  Know of anyone that’s received something like this as a gift?  Have you seen this style of painting before applied to portraiture with a reliable likeness?  Ever seen a time lapse video of a painting that someone owned?

I haven’t.  That is why I find these so great.

Check out the sample page here for some photo to painting comparisons.  See the pricing here.  Or send an email and let me know what you think.  bbehnes@msn.com.