Choose an artist whose work you admire.
For a truly personal piece of art to display in your home, consider commissioning a portrait artist to paint your portrait. Before you start looking for an artist, figure out how much you can afford to spend. An unknown art student will be far cheaper than an established, professional portrait artist. Decide what your preferred style is, for example contemporary or traditional, to help you narrow down your search.
Instructions
1. Attend portrait exhibitions at local art galleries. Write down the names of artists whose work you admire. Ask the gallery staff get in touch with the artist.
2. Look in your telephone directory and online to find contact details for local art agencies. Check out their websites to find what artists they represent. They often show examples of their artists' work on their site. Contact the agency and arrange an appointment to look through the portfolios of portrait artists whose work is within your budget.
3. Visit a local art college and ask to see the work of students who are specializing in portraiture. Choose your favorite and ask the student if she would consider painting your portrait.
4. Visit a website featuring professional portrait artists, such as A Stroke of Genius Portrait Artists. Follow the links on the site to view portfolios, find links to artists' own websites and get details on commission a portrait artist.
