How to Commission a Memorial Portrait of a Loved One

Why a Memorial Portrait Matters

When someone you love dies, the photos on your phone become the most valuable things you own. You scroll through them in the dark. You zoom in on their face. You try to remember exactly what their laugh sounded like by staring at a picture where they are smiling.

Photos preserve moments. But a portrait preserves a person.

A custom memorial painting takes the best of those photographs — the expression that was most them, the look in their eyes that you would recognise anywhere — and transforms it into something that belongs on the wall. Not tucked away in a phone. Not buried in a cloud storage folder. On the wall, where you see them every day, where visitors pause and ask about them, where their presence remains part of the home they helped build.

Commissioning a memorial portrait can feel daunting, especially while grieving. This guide walks you through every step — from choosing the right photo to working with an artist who understands what this piece means to you.

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Step 1: Choose the Right Photo

This is the most important decision in the entire process, and it is worth taking your time.

What Makes a Good Memorial Photo

The best memorial photos are not necessarily the best photographs. They are the most characteristic ones. The image where your father looks exactly like your father — his posture, his half-smile, the way he tilted his head. The picture of your mother laughing at something only she found funny. The candid shot of your grandmother in her garden, completely herself.

Look for:

• Clear facial features — the face should be visible and reasonably well-lit
• A natural expression — posed photos work, but candid ones often capture personality better
• Emotional resonance — choose the image that makes you feel something when you look at it

What If You Only Have Imperfect Photos

Many memorial portraits are created from photos that are far from perfect. Slightly blurry, poorly lit, taken from a distance, cropped from a group shot — experienced portrait artists work with these images every day. What matters is that the photo captures the essence of the person. The artist handles the rest.

Can You Use Multiple Photos

Yes. If no single photo captures everything you want, you can provide multiple reference images. One for the face, another for the clothing, a third for the setting. The artist combines elements to create a cohesive portrait that feels true to the person you remember.

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Step 2: Decide on the Style

The style of painting shapes the emotional tone of the portrait.

Oil Painting

Oil is the most popular choice for memorial portraits, and for good reason. It produces rich, luminous colours with extraordinary depth. Skin tones glow. Eyes have life. The visible brushstrokes add warmth and texture that make the portrait feel present rather than flat. Oil paintings also last for centuries with proper care, making them true heirlooms.

Watercolour

Watercolour produces softer, more ethereal portraits. The translucent washes of colour create a dreamlike quality that some families find comforting — as though the person exists in light rather than in shadow. Watercolour memorial portraits are particularly beautiful for children and young people.

Pencil Sketch

A pencil sketch strips the portrait to its essentials — line, shadow, expression. The simplicity can be profoundly moving. Pencil sketches work beautifully as intimate, smaller pieces and carry a quiet elegance that larger, more colourful works sometimes lack.

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Step 3: Choose the Canvas Size

Size affects presence. A larger portrait commands attention and becomes a focal point in any room. A smaller portrait offers intimacy — something you can place on a desk, a mantelpiece, or a bedside table.

Common choices for memorial portraits:

• 8×10 inches — intimate, personal, ideal for a desk or shelf
• 11×14 inches — versatile, works well on most walls
• 16×20 inches — the most popular memorial size, substantial without being overwhelming
• 24×36 inches — a statement piece for a main living area

Consider where the portrait will hang and how much space you want it to occupy. Memorial portraits often end up in living rooms, hallways, or bedrooms — places where the family gathers or where the person spent their time.

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Step 4: Provide Context to Your Artist

The difference between a competent portrait and an extraordinary one often comes down to context. When you submit your photo, include notes about the person:

• What was their personality like?
• What colours did they love?
• Is there a specific background you would prefer — or would you like the artist to suggest one?
• Should the painting include any additional elements — a favourite hat, a beloved pet, a meaningful location?

This information helps the artist paint not just a face, but a person. The more they understand about who they are painting, the more life the portrait will carry.

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Step 5: Review the Preview

A reputable portrait service will provide a digital preview before completing the painting. This is your opportunity to ensure the portrait captures your loved one accurately.

Look for:

• Likeness — does it look like them? Not just the features, but the feeling?
• Expression — does the expression match how you remember them?
• Colour and tone — does the palette feel right for the person and the setting?
• Composition — is the framing balanced and pleasing?

Do not hesitate to request changes. A memorial portrait is deeply personal, and no detail is too small. At PaintedForU, every commission includes unlimited free revisions precisely because we understand how important it is to get this right.

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Step 6: Frame and Display

The frame should complement the portrait without competing with it. For oil paintings, a simple floating frame or a classic wooden frame works beautifully. For watercolours, a clean mat with a slim frame enhances the piece.

Choose a location where the portrait will be seen daily — where it becomes part of the rhythm of your home. Many families find that having the portrait in a common area helps them talk about their loved one naturally, keeping the memory alive in conversation rather than only in silence.

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Working With Grief

Commissioning a memorial portrait while grieving is an act of love, but it can also be emotionally intense. A few things to keep in mind:

There Is No Wrong Time

Some families commission a portrait within weeks of a loss. Others wait years. There is no correct timeline. The right time is when you feel ready to celebrate the person rather than only mourn the absence.

It Can Be Healing

The process of choosing a photo, describing the person to the artist, and seeing the preview can be surprisingly therapeutic. It is an act of attention — of sitting with who they were and deciding how you want to remember them. Many clients tell us the process itself brought comfort they did not expect.

Let Others Help

If choosing a photo feels overwhelming, ask family members for their favourite images. The conversation itself — sharing photos, telling stories, debating which expression is most characteristic — can be a beautiful act of collective remembrance.

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What to Expect From PaintedForU

Our memorial portrait process is designed to be gentle, respectful, and collaborative:

1. Upload your photo — submit online with any notes about the person
2. Art team review — we confirm suitability within 24 hours
3. Choose style and size — oil, watercolour, or pencil sketch
4. Artist begins — an experienced portrait artist studies the photo and paints with care
5. Digital preview — within 7–10 business days, with unlimited free revisions
6. Delivery — sealed, packaged, and shipped free with full tracking

Every memorial portrait comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We do not consider the job done until you look at the painting and see the person you love.

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A Presence, Not Just a Memory

A memorial portrait does something no photograph can. It elevates a loved one from a frozen moment in time to a living presence on the wall. It declares that this person mattered — that they are worth preserving in paint, by hand, with care.

If you are ready to commission a memorial portrait, start here. Upload a photo, choose your style, and let our artists create something worthy of the person you are honouring.

Every PaintedForU portrait comes with unlimited free revisions, free shipping, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.