How Big Should a Hand-Drawn Portrait Be? A Size Guide by Number of People
You've picked the photo, and maybe the medium too: charcoal, soft graphite, or pen and ink. Then the size menu appears and the questions start. Is 9×12 too small for my parents' anniversary portrait? Can three grandkids fit on an 11×14? Why can't I pick four people until I choose the biggest size?
In a hand-drawn portrait, size and the number of people are really one decision, not two. Here's how it works in our studio, and how to choose well.
Why size and number of faces go together
A likeness comes from small things: the shape of an eyelid, the corner of a mouth, the shadow under a cheekbone. Our artist needs enough paper to build those details by hand, for every face. Crowd four people onto a small sheet and each face shrinks to an inch or two across, which leaves too little room for the details that make a likeness, no matter how careful the artist is.
So instead of letting you pick any combination and hoping for the best, we cap the number of people at each size. You can't accidentally order a portrait that's too crowded to turn out well.
The size guide: how many people fit at each size
These are the sizes and prices for our hand-drawn portraits. The same grid applies whether you choose charcoal, graphite pencil, or pen and ink:
| Drawing size | 1 person | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9×12 in (23×30 cm) | $598 | $758 | — | — |
| 11×14 in (28×36 cm) | $718 | $878 | $1,038 | — |
| 12×16 in (30×40 cm) | $858 | $1,018 | $1,178 | — |
| 16×20 in (40×50 cm) | $998 | $1,158 | $1,318 | $1,478 |
Three patterns are worth noticing:
- Each additional person adds $160 at the same size, reflecting one more face drawn entirely by hand.
- The minimum size grows with the group. Up to two people fit from 9×12, three people start at 11×14, and a family of four needs the 16×20.
- Every size is a standard US frame size. More on why that matters below.
Choosing for one person
With one subject, every size is open to you, so choose by where the portrait will live.
- 9×12 is personal and close-up: a desk, a bookshelf, a bedside table. It's a natural fit for a memorial portrait someone wants to keep near them rather than across the room.
- 11×14 or 12×16 holds its own on a wall, for example above a small console or in a hallway where people pass close by.
- 16×20 is a statement piece. Go this large with one person when you want a single portrait to anchor a room.
Choosing for a couple
A couple can start at 9×12 ($758), but for wedding and anniversary portraits it's worth considering 11×14 ($878). The step up costs $120 and gives both faces noticeably more room. That matters most when your photo shows the two of you slightly apart, or when you'd like some of the setting or clothing included, not just two faces cheek to cheek.
Choosing for three people or a family of four
For three people, 11×14 ($1,038) is the entry point. If the photo is a wider shot, with people standing rather than tucked closely together, 12×16 ($1,178, or $140 more) gives each person more space, and 16×20 ($1,318) gives them the most.
For four people, 16×20 ($1,478) is the only size we offer, and that's on purpose. Four likenesses done properly need that much paper.
Have a family larger than four? The options on our product pages go up to four people. You can contact us to ask what's possible, or split the family into two portraits, such as one of the parents and one of the children.
Framing: why standard sizes make it easy
Every portrait we draw is 9×12, 11×14, 12×16, or 16×20 inches, all standard US frame sizes. That means you can walk into any frame shop or craft store, or order online, and find a ready-made frame that fits. No custom framing, no waiting.
You have three easy routes:
- Frame it edge to edge in a frame of the same size. It's the simplest and most budget-friendly option.
- Go one size up and add a mat. A mat is the border between the drawing and the frame, and it gives a portrait room to breathe. For example, an 11×14 drawing looks lovely in a 16×20 frame with a mat cut for 11×14 artwork. Pre-cut mats in these sizes are easy to find.
- Let us frame it for you. Every hand-drawn portrait can be ordered with a Rustic Wood Frame (natural wood), a Modern Metal Frame, or an Acrylic Frame, so it arrives ready to hang. Framing adds $79 at 9×12 (23×30 cm), $89 at 11×14 (28×36 cm), $99 at 12×16 (30×40 cm), and $129 at 16×20 (40×50 cm).
If the portrait is a gift and you plan to frame it yourself, knowing the exact size ahead of time means you can buy the frame before the drawing arrives.
Your photo has to work at your size
A bigger drawing asks more of your reference photo. When a group photo is taken from across a room, each face in it may be only a few hundred pixels wide, and the artist can't draw detail that isn't there. Before you choose a larger size or add more people, zoom in on each face in the photo. If everyone is still sharp, you're in good shape. Our guide to choosing the right photo goes deeper, including what to look for in group and family shots.
You don't have to judge this alone. You upload your photo when you place your order, and our artist reviews it before starting. If the photo won't support a strong likeness at the size you picked, we'll reach out before any drawing begins.
What stays the same at every size
A small single portrait and a large family piece go through the same process. Each is drawn by hand from your photo, and you receive a digital preview to approve before the artwork is finalized. Custom portraits typically take 1–3 weeks to complete, plus shipping, so leave some extra room if the portrait is a gift with a date attached.
Quick answers
- A single memorial portrait kept close: 9×12.
- A wedding or anniversary couple: 11×14.
- Three people: 11×14 for a tight group, 12×16 or 16×20 for a wider shot.
- Four people: 16×20.
Ready to choose? Browse the styles in our Custom Portraits collection, from the rich-toned charcoal portrait to the softer graphite pencil portrait. The size grid above works the same way for all of them.
