A commissioned portrait is a painting that only exists because you asked for it. It might be of a partner, a parent, a child, yourself, or someone you’ve lost. It might be a gift or something for your own wall. Either way, it’s the most personal kind of art you can own.
If you’ve never commissioned a painting before, the process can seem unclear. How much do you need to know before you ask? What happens to your photos? How long will you wait? This is how it works with JAN, step by step.
First, know what kind of portrait you want
Not every portrait painter works the same way. Some aim for a likeness so exact it could pass for a photograph. JAN doesn’t. His portraits are expressionist: the face is there, but so is the energy around it, built up in bold brushwork and layered colour.
Thandi, one of JAN’s commissioned portraits, is a good example. The likeness is there, but what you notice first is her presence - the upward gaze, and the reds, blues and blacks moving through the paint. If that’s what you want from a portrait, you’re in the right place. If you want a photographic copy, a different artist will suit you better, and that’s fine.
Have a look through the past commissions before you get in touch. They’ll give you a better feel for what’s possible than any description.
Step 1: Start with a conversation
Every commission starts with an enquiry, either through the form or on WhatsApp. You don’t need a finished idea. Tell JAN who the painting is of, where it will hang, and what you want it to feel like. If certain colours or a particular mood matter to you, mention them. It also helps to say what you’d like to spend.
JAN replies personally, and from there you talk through the size, the composition and the price. Nothing is painted until you both agree on the brief.
Step 2: Send your reference photos
For a portrait, JAN works from photos you supply. These are what the painting is built from, so they’re worth some thought.
A few things help:
- Choose photos where the face is clear and in focus, ideally in natural light.
- Send the original files rather than screenshots, so the detail isn’t lost.
- Send more than one if you can. A favourite photo might capture the expression, while another shows the face more clearly.
- If there’s something about the person you want the painting to hold on to, say so. A look, a habit of standing a certain way, a colour they always wore.
Step 3: Pay the deposit
Once the brief is confirmed, a 50% deposit by EFT secures your place in the studio and JAN starts work. The balance is paid when the painting is finished, before it ships or is collected.
JAN takes on a limited number of commissions each year, so the deposit is also what holds your slot.
Step 4: The painting takes shape
From a confirmed brief to a finished painting usually takes four to eight weeks, depending on the size and what else is happening in the studio. Oil paint also needs time to dry before a painting can travel safely, so allow for that on top.
Along the way, JAN sends you photos of the painting as it develops, so you’re not waiting in the dark. If something isn’t sitting right for you, there’s room to ask for changes before the painting is finished and signed off.
Step 5: Delivery
When the painting is done and the balance has been paid, you can collect it from JAN’s studio in Pretoria or have it shipped to you. Every commission comes with a signed Certificate of Authenticity, the same as JAN’s available paintings.
Giving a portrait as a gift
A lot of portraits are commissioned as gifts, often as a surprise. If that’s your plan, start early. Between the conversation, the four-to-eight-week painting time and drying, a portrait for a birthday or anniversary needs to be planned a couple of months ahead. JAN can work from photos you gather quietly, so the person doesn’t need to know.
A quick summary
- Start with an enquiry: who it’s of, where it’s going, what you want it to feel like.
- Send clear reference photos.
- Pay a 50% deposit by EFT to begin. The balance is due on completion.
- Expect four to eight weeks of painting, plus drying time.
- Get progress photos, with room for changes before it’s finished.
- Collect in Pretoria or have it shipped, with a signed Certificate of Authenticity.
Have someone in mind? Look through JAN’s past commissions, then start a commission enquiry. If you’d rather have something ready to hang, see the paintings available now.