Commissioning Guide · Dubai · UAE

Custom Canvas Portrait Dubai — Complete Guide

Everything you need to know before commissioning a hand-painted portrait in Dubai — from choosing the right medium and size to providing reference photos, understanding pricing, and what to expect at each stage of the process.

3,000+
Portraits Completed
Est. 2020
Based in Jumeirah
6
Finish Levels
10–14
Working Days

Every Kind of Canvas Portrait We Paint

Blenc Art specialises in hand-painted canvas portraits on commission. Every portrait is made to brief from your reference photos — we do not sell prints or use AI generation. Below are the main portrait types we produce for clients across Dubai and UAE.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Family Portraits

Multi-figure family portraits painted from your photos. We accommodate any combination — couples, children, extended family, even pets added to a family composition. Oil or acrylic on canvas. Pricing on enquiry.

🐾

Pet Portraits

Dogs, cats, horses, and all animals painted in oil, acrylic, or charcoal on canvas. Some of our most emotionally meaningful commissions. Send us 3–5 clear photos of your pet. Pricing on enquiry.

💑

Couple Portraits

Romantic couple portraits in oil or acrylic — popular wedding gifts, anniversary presents, and Eid commissions. We capture likeness, emotion, and the relationship between subjects. Pricing on enquiry.

👤

Individual Portraits

Single-figure portraits for executives, public figures, and personal commissions. Produced in oil on canvas, charcoal, or acrylic. Ideal for boardrooms, private studies, and family homes. Pricing on enquiry.

⚜️

Sheikh & Leader Portraits

Formal portrait commissions for UAE leaders, royal family members, and prominent figures. Produced in oil on canvas with the gravitas and detail these subjects command. Widely commissioned by businesses and institutions across UAE.

🕯️

Memorial Portraits

Respectful, lifelike memorial portraits painted from photographs. We work from older, low-resolution, or black-and-white reference photos. A meaningful tribute for families and institutions across UAE.

Portrait Finishing Levels

Pricing at Blenc Art is driven by the finish level you choose — not just the size. Each level represents a measurable step up in paint quality, blending hours, and longevity. Pricing varies by canvas size, subject complexity, and turnaround; we provide a personalised, fixed quote within 24 hours of receiving your brief.

Finish LevelWhat It DeliversBest ForCoating Option
Standard AcrylicClean, vibrant colour with solid coverage and balanced blendingResidential interiors, pet portraits, gifts
Premium BlendRefined colour transitions, increased depth and detail resolutionFamily portraits, couple commissions, office displayWithout / With
Luxury BlendGallery-grade blending, subtle impasto texture, rich tonal rangeVilla feature art, sheikh portraits, heirloom piecesWithout / With
Ultra Premium Fine ArtMuseum-level execution — collector-quality pigments, archival linen, exceptional detailInstitutional commissions, heritage portraits, investment artWithout / With

Protective coating adds UV resistance and long-term surface preservation — recommended for any portrait intended as a lasting heirloom. Rush turnaround and installation services priced separately. Contact us via WhatsApp or the enquiry form for a detailed quote.

What Photos Do You Need?

The quality of your reference photograph is the single most important factor in achieving a lifelike portrait. Here is exactly what we need from you — and what we can work with even if your photos aren't perfect.

Ideal Reference Photo

  • ✓ Sharp focus on face and eyes
  • ✓ Natural daylight or soft indoor light
  • ✓ Face-on or slight three-quarter angle
  • ✓ At least 1MB file size
  • ✓ No heavy filters or processing
  • ✓ Subject relaxed and natural expression

We Can Also Work With

  • ✓ Old or vintage photographs
  • ✓ Black-and-white photos
  • ✓ Low-resolution scanned prints
  • ✓ Multiple photos for a composite pose
  • ✓ Group photos for family portraits
  • ✓ Phone camera photos via WhatsApp

For pet portraits, send us 3–5 photos from different angles so our artists can fully capture your animal's character. For family portraits where everyone cannot be photographed together, we can composite individual photos into a single composition — just send each person's photos separately.

How a Portrait Commission Works

Every portrait at Blenc Art follows a clear, transparent process from first contact to final delivery. We keep you informed at every stage.

01
Brief & Quote
Share your photos and requirements via WhatsApp or our contact form. We confirm details and send a personalised quote within 24 hours.
02
Sketch Approval
Our artist creates a detailed sketch of your portrait for your review and approval before any paint is applied. Revisions at this stage are included.
03
Painting
Once the sketch is approved, our artists begin painting in your chosen medium. We share progress photos at key stages for larger commissions.
04
Delivery
Your finished portrait is professionally packaged and delivered across UAE, or prepared for collection from our Jumeirah studio.

Standard timelines: Single figures 10–14 working days · Couples 12–16 days · Family portraits 3–4 weeks · Rush orders 5–7 days (additional fee). Timeline begins from sketch approval, not from first contact.

Oil, Acrylic, or Charcoal?

The choice of medium affects the look, texture, and longevity of your portrait. Here is a brief guide to help you decide — or you can ask our artists for a recommendation based on your space and style.

🎨

Oil on Canvas

The traditional medium for portraiture. Rich colour depth, subtle blending, and a timeless quality that only improves with age. Ideal for formal portraits, large family pieces, and anyone seeking a heirloom-quality work. Drying time is longer but results are unmatched.

Acrylic on Canvas

Bold, vibrant, and contemporary. Acrylic dries faster than oil and allows for more graphic, stylised interpretations of portraits. Excellent for modern interiors, pop-art style portraits, and clients who want vivid colour over subtle realism.

🖤

Charcoal on Canvas

Atmospheric and expressive. Charcoal portraits have a raw, textural quality that suits contemporary interiors and clients who prefer monochrome over colour. Often chosen for memorial portraits and figurative works that prioritise emotion over colour.

Portrait Commission FAQs

How much does a custom canvas portrait cost in Dubai?
Portrait pricing at Blenc Art is tailored to each commission. It depends on canvas size, number of figures, chosen finish level (Standard Acrylic through to Ultra Premium Fine Art), medium, and turnaround time. We offer multiple quality tiers — with or without protective coating — and provide a personalised, fixed quote within 24 hours of receiving your brief and reference photos.
How long does a portrait painting take in Dubai?
A standard portrait of one or two people takes 10–14 working days from sketch approval. Family portraits with multiple figures take 3–4 weeks. Rush orders in 5–7 days are available for an additional fee. All portraits begin with a sketch approval stage before the final painting starts.
What photo do I need to provide for a portrait commission?
We need at least one clear, high-resolution photograph — ideally face-on or at a slight angle, in natural daylight, at least 1MB in size. We accept WhatsApp photos. Our artists will advise if your reference photo needs adjustment before work begins.
Can you paint a portrait from an old or black and white photo?
Yes. We regularly work from vintage, low-resolution, or black-and-white photos. Our artists enhance and interpret older reference photos to produce vibrant, lifelike portraits. This is popular for memorial portraits and heritage commissions. Contact us with your reference to discuss suitability.
Do you paint pet portraits in Dubai?
Yes — pet portraits are one of our most popular commissions. Dogs, cats, horses, and all animals. Send us 3–5 high-resolution photos of your pet via WhatsApp (+971 56 111 6977). Pricing is tailored to size, finish level, and medium. We work in oil on canvas, acrylic, and charcoal. Turnaround is 10–21 days.
Can I order a portrait as a gift for delivery in Dubai?
Yes. Custom portrait commissions are popular gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Eid, and corporate occasions. We offer gift presentation packaging and can arrange expedited delivery within Dubai for urgent gift orders. Contact us to discuss timeline and delivery requirements.
Do you deliver portraits across all UAE emirates?
Yes. We deliver across all seven UAE emirates — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah. GCC and international shipping is also available. All artworks are professionally packaged and insured during transit.
Commission Your Portrait

Ready to Commission a Portrait?

Send us your reference photo and brief via WhatsApp. We respond within a few hours with a quote and timeline.