Custom Portrait on Etsy: How to Order Without Guessing

I draw portraits from customer photos for a living, and most problems start before the drawing does. Here is how to read a listing and what to send so the proof comes back right.

Ordering a custom portrait on Etsy is simpler than it looks. Most of the problems I see come from small gaps, like a photo taken in a dim kitchen or a name spelt two different ways in two messages. I run OpenHeartLines, where I draw line art and watercolour portraits from customer photos, so I'll use my own process as the example throughout.

Quick answer: read the listing so you know exactly what's included, and send the clearest photo you have with every detail typed out. Check the proof slowly. Before you pay, ask the three questions near the end of this page. A digital portrait from my shop usually arrives within one to two days.

Reading the listing before you order a custom portrait on Etsy

Look at the listing photos first. They should show finished pieces in one consistent style, because that style is what you're paying for. If every example looks different, message the seller and ask which one yours will resemble.

Next, open the options menu. Most sellers price by how many people or pets are in the picture and by whether you want a background. Choose carefully here. A second dog added once the drawing has started often means starting again, rather than a quick edit.

Digital file or printed piece

A lot of the portraits on Etsy are sold as digital files. Nothing arrives in the post. You download a high-resolution image and print it yourself, at home or at a local print shop. It's quicker, and you get to pick your own paper and frame, but it does add one more job before the gift is ready.

If you need something to wrap on the day, check whether the seller offers a printed version and how much time postage adds on top of the drawing.

Style, background and extras

Line art is clean and pared back. Watercolour is softer, with more colour and texture in it. I don't think either is better; it comes down to taste and to the room the piece will hang in. A single-line pet portrait looks right in a small frame on a desk, while a watercolour of the whole family can hold a bigger wall.

Check the listing for extras, such as a name or a date written under the drawing. If they aren't mentioned, message the seller before you order. Typing them into the notes and hoping rarely works out.

What the artist needs from you

Most of the custom portrait process depends on what you send. I can tidy up a cluttered background or remove a stranger's elbow, but I can't draw detail that a photo doesn't contain. Before you order, gather these:

The original photo at full size, not a screenshot or a picture saved from social media, which loses detail.
A photo taken in daylight where the face is in focus, ideally at eye level.
Separate photos if the people or pets were never together, plus a note on who sits where.
Names, dates and any text, typed exactly as you want them and checked for spelling.
Details the photo hides, such as eye colour or a white patch on one paw.
Anything to leave out, like a dog's lead or a stray hand at the edge of the frame.
The size you plan to print, so the layout suits the frame.
Your deadline, if the portrait is for a birthday or a wedding.

Say you have a sharp photo with an awkward pose and a lovely pose that's slightly blurred. Send both, and tell me which you prefer. I can often take the face from one and the body from the other. There's more on picking the right picture in our guide to turning a photo into a custom line art portrait.

Most details go in the personalisation box at checkout. Photos are easier through Etsy messages, where you can attach them straight from your phone. If you'd like to see how the options are set out on a real listing, have a look through the line-art and watercolour portraits in my Etsy shop before you decide anything, and message me first if something isn't clear.

What a proof is and how to check it

A proof is a preview of your portrait before the final file is sent. It's often lower resolution or has a watermark across it. Its job is to let you catch mistakes while they're still easy to fix.

I'd check it in this order. Read every word letter by letter, dates included. Then look at the eyes and any markings, because those are what family notice first. Only after that should you step back and judge the likeness as a whole.

Giving feedback that helps

Be as specific as you can. "His left ear sits a bit higher" gets a better result than "it doesn't quite look like him". If you can't put your finger on what's wrong, send the photo you think shows them best and say so.

It helps to remember what the style can do. A line drawing won't show every whisker or freckle, because leaving things out is part of the look. Asking for more detail around the eyes is reasonable. Asking a line portrait to look like a photograph usually isn't.

When the finished file arrives

For a personalised portrait from a photo, the final file comes once you approve the proof. On Etsy that's usually an attachment in your messages or a download linked to your order, and you'll get an email either way. Save it somewhere safe straight away. A phone's downloads folder is easy to lose track of.

To print it, take the file to a local print shop or use an online printer, and ask for the size the portrait was made for. Matte or lightly textured paper suits line art well. Some people prefer satin for watercolour, though that one is down to taste.

Three questions worth asking before you pay

How many changes are included?

Some sellers include a set number of revisions. Others keep adjusting until you're happy, within reason. Knowing which kind you're dealing with lets you put all your feedback into one clear message rather than a string of small requests.

What size and format will the file be?

Ask for the pixel dimensions, or the largest print size the file supports. A file made for A4 can look soft when it's blown up to poster size. Check the format as well: you might get a JPG, a PNG with a transparent background, or both.

Can it be ready by my date?

Give the date you need the framed portrait in your hands, which is often a few days before the party. Leave room for a round of changes, then for printing and framing. Those last two steps can take longer than the drawing.

When your photo and details are ready, you can start your portrait order on Etsy and attach everything in one message. I read every note before I start drawing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I combine people or pets from different photos?

Yes, most portrait artists can merge subjects from separate photos into one drawing. Pictures taken in similar light and from a similar angle make the finished piece look more natural. Tell the artist who should sit where and roughly how big each figure should be. That matters most when you're mixing a large dog with a small child.

What happens if I don't like the proof?

Tell the artist what feels wrong, as specifically as you can, and send a second photo if it shows the person or pet better. Most problems are small, such as the shape of the eyes or the angle of the head, and these can usually be corrected. If it's the style itself you're unhappy with, talk to the seller before asking for changes.

Is a digital portrait good enough to print large?

It depends on the size the file was prepared for. A high-resolution file made for A4 or 8x10 inches will print sharply at that size and a little smaller. For a large wall piece, ask the artist before ordering whether they can supply a bigger file. It's far easier to plan for that from the start.

Can I send photos after I have placed the order?

Yes. On Etsy you can open a message from your order and attach photos straight from your phone or computer. Send them as soon as you can after checking out, because the artist usually can't start until they have them. Mention your order number or the name on the order so nothing gets mixed up.