Paintings from Photos

Comparison of Pricing for Six Merchants offering Hand-Drawn Paintings

• Each of these six companies offers to produce a hand-drawn painting based on a photograph you submit.

• All six companies offer oil paintings, but some also offer other options include charcoal, pastel, watercolor, pencil, and acryllic.

• Each company uses "offshore" artists, mostly in Asia (China, India, & Phillipines).

• The time from initial order to delivery is generally estimated at 4 to 5 weeks. Most companies offer an "expedited" option, at extra cost.

• You pay either a deposit or the full purchase price, and upload your photograph.
  • Paint Your Life charges a 20% deposit;
  • e-softtech requires a 30% deposit;
  • The other companies require full payment in advance.

• The company arranges for an artist to create a painting from your photograph.

• The company then sends you a "proof" (digital image) of the painting.

• You approve the proof or request changes.

• If you paid only a deposit initially, you then pay the balance owed for your purchase.

• After you approve the proof, the original painting is mailed to you. (Canvas Artists, ezPortrait, Direct Portrait, and MyDavinci.com offer free shipping; Paint Your Life charges $29 shipping; e-Softtech charges $20 for shipping.)

• None of these companies offers an impressive guarantee:
  • Paint Your Life charges a 20% non-refundable deposit; it is unclear if a refund can be obtained if you accept the proof and pay the balance due, but then are not satisfied with the finished painting when it arrives.
  • Canvas Artists provides a 15-day money-back guarantee for "basic" works, but not for complex works or paintings which were modified during the "proof" process based on the customer's feedback.
  • ezPortrait does not appear to allow returns or refunds after a customer has approved a proof.
  • DirectPortrait does not specify any guarantee, return, or refund policy.
  • e-Softtech clearly states that no refunds will be given.
  • MyDavinci.com accepts returns within 30 days, for "store credit" only.

• All six companies charge based on the number of "figures" (people or subjects) in the painting. Some companies charge extra for certain photo types (for example, if a background is included, or if the subjects are shown "full body" or "half body" instead of just head and shoulders). Some companies offer additional sizes not listed here.

• Portrait Styles:
  • All six companies offer "realistic" paintings from your photo; CanvasArtists also offers the option of an an "impressionist" portrait.
  • A seventh company, AllPopArt.com, sells stylized "pop art" portraits similar to the styles of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, among others, from your photo.