Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Portraits and Custom Portrait Artists

Read Nomi’s FAQs and learn how easy it is to commission a portrait painting your family will love. See the answers to Nomi’s most frequently asked questions. And feel free to contact Nomi if you have other questions or particular needs. She is happy to help you. There is no obligation. Nomi accepts both private and corporate commissions.

A child and grandmother pat each other's cheek during a nursing home visit, in this painting by portrait artist, Nomi Wagner, on her FAQs page about how to commission a portrait.

How to commission a Nomi Wagner portrait? Just 5 Easy Steps!

1. Upload or email a favorite photo or photos for Nomi to reference (see Photo tips below) or contact her for help in selecting.

2. Let Nomi know what you have in mind—your personal tastes, wishes, and concerns.

3. Once Nomi sees your photos, she will be able to give you a free estimate. No obligation.

4. Throughout the work in progress, Nomi will email you proofs of your custom portrait for your approval or changes.

5. Your beautiful painting (and any additional ones for gifts) will be shipped USPS or FedEx for you and your family to love.

Nomi’s creative process?

Referring to your photos for inspiration, your portrait painting will be a one-of-a-kind luxury work of art, created just for you. Nomi is detail-oriented and takes the time needed to paint a stunning portrait, stroke by stroke, meeting your special preferences and requests.

As one of the earliest artists to embrace graphics technology, Nomi has painted watercolor portraits digitally for 28 years. Instead of her regular pencils and brushes, she uses both a Wacom stylus and an Apple Pencil to sketch and paint freehand. The painting experience feels the same, completely natural, and she can erase and make changes without ruining your portrait!

Nomi Wagner’s artwork bridges the best of both worlds—traditional watercolor painting and technology. She has used Corel Painter and Adobe Photoshop since early versions in 1992, and recently added Procreate to her toolbox. To see how various paintings evolved, you can view lots of examples of Work in Progress in Nomi’s Blog posts. Enjoy her video full-size!

Portrait pricing?

Your commission includes a signed portrait painting of any size you desire up to 16×20 inches, on fine art watercolor paper. Larger sizes and canvas are available. Portrait paintings may be in color, black and white, or sepia watercolor. Prices are based on the amount of time Nomi needs to paint your personalized custom portrait. Please contact Nomi for a free estimate.

Pricing is based on:

  • Number of people and pets
  • Close-up, mid-body, or full-body poses
  • Portrait style chosen — color, black and white, or sepia
  • Background detail
  • Quality of the photos
  • Complexity of the project

Payment information?

  • A deposit is required to begin your project, with the balance due upon completion.
  • Venmo, Zelle, Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, and checks are accepted.
  • You are welcome to work out the timing of payments with Nomi.

Sending reference photos?

Nomi can help you choose from photos of:

  • Those you love – people and pets
  • Relatives or pets who have passed away
  • Special moments in your life – vacations, events, family get-togethers, personal interests

Photo tips:

  • Photos may be uploaded on Nomi’s Contact page form or emailed.
  • Try to find photos that are focused and high resolution. If Nomi can see good facial detail, she can create her very best portrait of your loved one.
  • To help Nomi paint an accurate and flattering portrait, feel free to send lots of reference photos giving her clues about your loved one’s particular features and characteristics.
  • Choose the “Actual Size” setting when emailing from an iPhone or “Original Size” when emailing from an Android.
  • For the best resolution, photos you receive from family members should be emailed to you at the above settings, not texted.
  • If sending many reference photos, Nomi can email you a link to her Dropbox folder.
  • Photos taken by professional photographers are welcome and require a release for any copyrighted images.

Shipping and extra goodies?

  • Portraits are shipped USPS in the U.S.
  • FedEx (U.S. and International) shipping is available.
  • Additional signed portrait prints may be ordered for offices, vacation homes, or gifts.
  • Nomi can have your portrait custom framed to suit your taste.
  • Please let Nomi know if your portrait is to be a surprise and needed by a special date. She loves surprises!