Printed Portrait or Hand-Drawn Charcoal? How to Choose Between a Custom Print and a Commission
You have a photo you love, and you want it on your wall. Then you notice two very different price tags on our site: a custom portrait print from $29.99, and a hand-drawn charcoal portrait from $358.80. Both start with your photo. They are not the same product, and the difference is worth understanding before you click buy.
What each one actually is
A custom portrait print is a printed artwork. You upload your photo when you order, our design team turns it into an oil-painting-style version, and that version is printed. On the Custom Oil Portrait Print, a digital proof is available for your confirmation before production.
A hand-drawn portrait is an original drawing. A real artist draws it by hand from your photo in charcoal, graphite pencil or pen, and you approve a digital preview before the artwork is finalized. Our charcoal portraits also come with a certificate of authenticity.
The numbers, side by side
| Custom portrait print | Hand-drawn charcoal portrait | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Design team, then printed | An artist, by hand |
| Look | Oil-painting style | Charcoal on drawing paper |
| Starting price | $29.99 (12×16 in) | $358.80 (9×12 in, 1 person, unframed) |
| Largest size | 32×47 in at $99.99 on the Oil Portrait Print | 16×20 in, up to 4 people |
| Frame | Not included on the Oil Portrait Print | Choose Unframed, Rustic Wood, Modern Metal or Acrylic |
| Typical time | See the product page | 1 to 3 weeks, plus shipping |
Prices are the ones on the product pages today. Always check the listing before you order.
Where the print wins
Size and budget. If you want a big piece over a sofa, the print is the only one of the two that goes past 16×20 in. The Oil Portrait Print runs from 12×16 in up to 32×47 in. It is also the easy way to put one photo on several walls, or to give a portrait as a casual gift.
A painterly look. The finish is oil-painting style, so it suits a warm, colorful room better than a monochrome drawing does.
Pets, on canvas. The Pet Memorial Portrait Print comes either as a fine art print on 300 gsm archival paper (12×16 or 16×24 in) or as a canvas gallery wrap stretched over a 1.5 inch hardwood frame, ready to hang, from 18×24 in up to 24×32 in.
Where the hand-drawn portrait wins
It is an original. There is one, and a person drew it. For a memorial, a wedding or an anniversary, that is often the whole point. Charcoal also has a depth in its shadows that a print only imitates.
Framing is built in. All four sizes are standard US frame sizes, and you can add a Rustic Wood, Modern Metal or Acrylic frame at checkout.
People are counted. A hand-drawn portrait fits up to 2 people at 9×12 in, 3 at 11×14 or 12×16 in, and 4 at 16×20 in. Our size guide walks through it.
A quick way to decide
- It is a gift for someone who will treasure an original: hand-drawn.
- It is a memorial or tribute: hand-drawn charcoal is the usual choice. A print is fine too if you want something to hang right away in a larger size.
- You need a large piece on a modest budget: print.
- You want several copies or different sizes: print.
- You want a monochrome, gallery-style piece: hand-drawn. Compare mediums in our charcoal, pencil and pen guide.
The photo matters either way
Both start with an upload at checkout, so the same advice applies: a clear, well-lit photo with the faces easy to see. For group portraits, every face should be visible. More in how to choose the right photo.
See them both
Browse Custom Portrait Prints and hand-drawn Custom Portraits side by side. If you cannot decide, ask yourself one question: do you want a beautiful picture of the photo, or do you want a drawing that exists only once?
