A custom oil painting starts with one thing: your photo. Our artists paint every commission by hand in oil on real canvas, and the photo you send is their main guide. A good photo makes a good painting even better – so here is a simple guide to choosing the right one.
1. Choose a clear, well-lit photo
Natural daylight works best. Photos taken outdoors on a bright but overcast day, or indoors next to a window, show true colours and soft shadows. Avoid photos taken at night with a flash, as they flatten faces and change skin tones.
2. Make sure faces and eyes are in focus
For portraits of people and pets, the eyes are what bring a painting to life. Zoom in on your photo: if the eyes are sharp, the photo will paint well. Phone photos are perfectly fine as long as they are not blurry.
3. Send the original, not a screenshot
Screenshots and photos saved from social media are compressed and lose detail. Send the original file from your phone or camera whenever you can.
4. Combining people or pets from different photos
Want the whole family, or two pets who were never photographed together, in one painting? Send us each photo and tell us how you would like them arranged. Try to choose photos taken from a similar angle and in similar light so the finished painting looks natural.
5. Think about the background
A busy background can distract from the subject. You can ask us to simplify it, soften it, or change it completely – for example a plain tone, a garden or a beach.
6. Choosing the right size
Head-and-shoulders portraits of one person or pet look great at 40 × 50 cm. Couples, families and landscapes usually suit 50 × 60 cm or larger, and a statement piece above a sofa is often 60 × 90 cm or more. Our paintings are shipped rolled in a tube and unframed, so you can frame or stretch them locally to suit your home.
How the process works
- Upload your photo – choose a size and tell us any wishes.
- Approve your painting – we send you a photo of the finished piece, and changes are free.
- Delivered to your door – dispatched in 2–3 weeks with free shipping.
Not sure if your photo will work? Send it to us at info@ekmart.com.au and we will tell you honestly before you order.