• In paper photographs, heads should be at least 2" tall so that all of the details can be clearly seen.  Measure from top of head to tip of chin.

• The sharper the photograph, the higher the quality of portrait that can be drawn.

• If scanning photos and sending via email, the resolution needs to be at least 1000 X 1400 pixels in size.

• We can crop your photograph for you to create a better composition (see tips on cropping and composition).  

• Choose the best photograph for each person that you want in your drawing - they do not need to be from the same original photograph.

• We can compose one group portrait from several original photographs.

• Shadows can add drama to your portrait, but be careful of shadows that obscure the eyes.  

• Consider not using a flash when photographing a person.  The light coming frontally from the flash tends to flatten the face or object and make it appear more 2-dimensional.

• Consider using a candid photograph instead of a formal pose for your subject.  A candid photograph often captures the unique personality of the person better than a posed shot.

• Half-body pictures or close-ups of faces that include the shoulders make the best portraits because facial details are most visible.

Half Body Photograph

Head and Shoulders Photograph

• Cropping your photograph or zooming in on the face often makes a more interesting and better composition for a portrait (see tips on cropping and composition).

• Send us several photographs and let us help you select the best one(s) to make into a drawing.

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