How to commission a portrait from photo:

1. Before you commission a portrait make sure to research the artist you are planning on ordering a portrait from. Look at his/her artwork to see if it appeals to you. True art has a soul. It doesn't have to be by a famous artist. In fact, there are a lot of undiscovered artists, as well as student artists, whose artwork you might enjoy much more than the works of somebody well-known. Go by what YOU feel, because it's going to be you and not some art critic who will end up looking at the painting for years to come.

2. When you're ready to order a portrait from photo make sure that your photo is large enough for the artist to be able to clearly see all the facial features of the portrait's subject. Try picking a photo that's a good representation of the person whose portrait you're going to commission, because sometimes people don't look like themselves in photos. Remember that the artist will only have one photo to go by and you will get a portrait solely based on that photo. So choose carefully! However, don't be afraid to ask the artist for some changes. For example, if you don't like your hair in a photo that you otherwise love, don't be afraid to express your wishes as to what kind of hairstyle (or even hair color) you'd like to have in the finished portrait.

3. Don't order a portrait from a website with some anonymous artists because you can never be sure as to what you're going to get. Remember that you're commissioning a potential family heirloom, which is something that generations of your descendants will (hopefully) come to treasure and know you by. If you leave them some tacky painting what will it say about you and your taste?

4. Treat your purchase as a potential investment and remember that you get what you pay for. When it comes to art best price guarantee is not a guarantee of quality. If you pay for an oil portrait as much as you would pay for a photo portrait from Sears chances are you won't be getting a piece of art... So when you order your portrait from some website with nameless artists at a very cheap price - chances are that you're going to end up with some impersonal cheesy-looking imitation of your photo.

5. Make sure that you're getting a work of art, not just a copy of a photo you provide, because whether you're commissioning a portrait for yourself or somebody else the painting will also serve as a decoration for yours or their house for a very long time. Consider the importance of this fact! Remember that what people have hanging on their walls is often perceived by others as a reflection of who they are, but more significantly you need to remember that good art creates a delightful ambiance for the home owners themselves.

*For samples of Natasha's work please visit "Portraits from photos" page