Portraits · gifts and events
A custom portrait, with soul.
Illustrated, narrative portrait - person, couple, family, pet. I do not stop at a faithful rendering of physical features. I also bring out what the eye alone cannot see.
Why a portrait
A portrait is made to bring joy.
A custom portrait is one of the most lasting gift ideas. It works for anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, for parents, for grandparents, for milestone holidays and ordinary days.
I like composing the whole piece myself. I simplify figures down to their defining traits - what some see as a flaw, I turn into a strength. I work with warmth and a knowing eye, always tender.
I paint digitally and in watercolor. A digital portrait reaches you as a poster ready for framing. A watercolor portrait is an original on paper - one, unrepeatable.
Portrait variants
Who I paint, and the scene.
Person, couple, pet, family - on a ready background or on a scene designed for you. We combine these elements so the portrait fits the occasion and the subject.
- 01
Single-person portrait
Mom, dad, partner, a close friend. You can add favorite objects, hobby cues, a scene from the subject's life.
- 02
Couple portrait
Two people for a wedding anniversary, birthday, Valentine's. I compose the figures so the relationship is visible - not just two faces next to each other.
- 03
Family portrait
Whole family with kids, siblings, best friends. For a grandparent, for parents, for yourself years later.
- 04
Pet portrait
Dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig - a solo portrait or a group one. I often combine pets with people in a single frame.
- 05
Background from a ready palette
Wild meadow, pink dusk, starry night, any solid color. You pick from my palette, I compose the figure on that background.
- 06
Custom background
The garden by your house, the kitchen, a favorite chair, a place from a holiday. We design the background from scratch - the portrait becomes a scene from your life.
Studio results
Selected work
What you get
Portrait plus printed poster included.
Digital portrait: a high-resolution file plus a printed poster included. You can optionally order framing - we will agree on it at the order stage.
Watercolor portrait: an original on paper above 200 g/m², secured for transport. We can also agree on framing under protective glass.
Shipping across Poland and internationally. The portrait is packed safely - it reaches you in one piece, ready to frame or hand over as a gift.
How collaboration works
How a portrait comes to life, together.
4 steps, clear milestones, no surprises. From the first email to the portrait in your hands.
- 01
You send an inquiry
Describe who I should paint, for what occasion, in what mood. You can attach photos, or we can simply talk about what you have in mind.
- 02
We agree on details and quote
We pick the technique (digital or watercolor), number of figures, background, frame, format. I match the quote to your needs and budget.
- 03
I present a sketch for approval
I create a concept sketch and send it for review. You give feedback, we adjust the composition, refine the details - together.
- 04
I finalize and deliver
I paint the final work, print the poster (digital version) or pack the original (watercolor). Shipping across Poland; international clients receive high-resolution files for local printing.
Client reviews
What my clients say.
"I'm enchanted by the sketches. I'm impressed by how the illustrations carry emotion. Congratulations on your talent."
"I have to admit I teared up seeing the finished piece. Exactly the portrait I had in mind."
"Yes, they turned out beautiful and I can't wait to see them in person. Thank you for your patience with the revisions."
Pricing
Custom quote.
Pricing depends on the number of figures, the technique (digital or watercolor), the designed background, and the deadline. I tailor it to what you specifically need.
You get a quote after the inquiry form. Reply within 48 hours. Poster print included with the digital portrait. VAT invoice.
Frequently asked
Technique, shipping, framing.
The most common questions from clients ordering a portrait as a gift. Missing something? Write to me.
01 Who is a portrait for, and for what occasions? +
A custom portrait works for any occasion, but it is most often ordered for wedding anniversaries, birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, for grandparents, for Valentine's. It also works without an occasion - as a gift for the people closest to you who already have everything.
02 Do you ship internationally? +
Yes. Digital portraits are delivered as high-resolution files, ready for local printing anywhere in the world - that part of the service is fully remote. Watercolor originals ship across Poland and internationally, packed safely in rigid protective packaging.
03 What techniques do you use? +
I combine two techniques: watercolor (spontaneous, dynamic, every portrait unique) and digital illustration in Procreate (precise control, easier revisions, ability to print in different formats). The choice of technique depends on the mood you want to achieve.
04 Can I frame a watercolor portrait? +
Yes, a watercolor portrait is perfect for framing under protective glass. Watercolor is sensitive to humidity and UV, so glass and a passe-partout are a good choice. We can also agree on framing during the order - I can recommend a trusted framer.
05 Why order a hand-painted portrait? +
A hand-made portrait is a work of art with a soul. It carries the individuality of the person, the character, the relationship. Unlike a photograph, an illustration interprets - it shows what matters most and skips the accidental detail. That is why a portrait becomes a gift for years, not a snapshot lost in a drawer.
06 What materials do you use? +
For watercolor portraits: paper above 200 g/m², professional watercolor paints, brushes that work different sizes of wash. For digital portraits: iPad Pro with Procreate, my own brushes, fine-art print on heavy poster paper.
Use cases
Where it works.
- 01
Dog portrait from photo
From one good photo I paint your dog in my own style. No sitting, no posing - your pup never has to hold still or look at the lens.
- 02
In memory of a pet
When a pet is gone, the portrait stays. From your photos I recreate the expression and character of a dog or cat, always with tenderness.
- 03
Portrait of a child
Your child in a dream world - with a favorite toy, a pet, or a fairytale setting. A gift for grandparents that genuinely moves them.
- 04
A portrait for the wall
Your custom portrait from photo comes as a digital poster, ready to frame. It hangs in the living room, a child's room, or an office - artwork, not just a gift.
- 05
Family from separate photos
I compose the whole scene from scratch, so a single family portrait illustration brings together people from different photos. You need no perfect shot of everyone at once.
- 06
A gift money can't buy
For the person who already has everything. A portrait of someone they love, or their pet, is something you won't find in any shop.
Good to know
Before you ask.
01How do I order a dog portrait from a photo?+
Send me an inquiry through the form and attach a few photos of your dog, ideally from different angles. We settle on the technique, the background and the number of figures, and I send you a quote within 48 hours. Then you get a sketch to approve - you flag any changes, and only once you say yes do I paint the final piece. I ship the finished dog portrait from photo anywhere in Poland.
02What kind of photo works best for a pet portrait?+
The sharper and better-lit the photo, the more character I can pull from your dog or cat's face. Close-up shots taken at the animal's eye level, in natural light, work best. You don't need one perfect photo - I can work from several and combine the best features of each. If you're unsure, just send what you have and I'll tell you which shot will give the best result.
03Can you paint several animals in one portrait?+
Yes. I can gather several of your pets into one frame - 2 dogs, a dog and a cat, the whole furry crew. I compose the entire scene myself, so even if you don't have a photo with all of them together, I'll build it from separate shots. I also mix pets with people if you want the whole family on a custom pet portrait - the two-legged and the four-legged.
04How much does a custom dog portrait cost?+
I don't have a fixed price list, because every portrait is different. The price depends on the technique - digital or watercolor - the number of pets and people in the frame, the designed background and the deadline. You get an exact figure after filling in the form; I reply within 48 hours. With the digital version, the poster print is included. I issue a VAT invoice.
05How long does a custom portrait take?+
I set the timeline individually - it depends on the technique, the number of figures in the frame and how many commissions I have in the queue at the time. I give you an exact date in the quote, which I send within 48 hours of your inquiry. If you need the gift for a specific occasion, tell me right away and we'll plan the work so the portrait is ready in time.
06What style do you paint animals and people in?+
I paint in an illustrative style, not photorealism. I simplify a figure down to its defining traits - what someone might call a flaw, I turn into a strength. I work with a little distance and a knowing wink, but always with warmth, so the portrait has character, not just a likeness. It's my own style - I compose the whole piece myself, from the pose to the background. You'll see the effect in my portfolio and gallery.
From the studio blog
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Start a project
Got a project? Let's talk.
I make art that stays - with emotion and attention in every project. Children's book illustration delivered worldwide, wedding and B2B event live painting across Poland - every project starts the same way: an inquiry, a conversation, a decision. Write to me directly. The Bujnowłosa studio is me and a decade-plus of practice.