Would you like to have a special photo immortalized as a hand-painted oil painting? To ensure that the result exceeds your expectations, there are a few important points that you should be aware of before ordering. From choosing the right photo and size to the right painting style - this guide will tell you everything you need to know to achieve the perfect result.
🎨 Straight to the service: Have your photo painted in oil → — upload your photo, hand-painted in oil, from CHF 306.
Choose the perfect source photo
The quality of your photo is the most important factor for a successful oil painting. The better the original, the more details the artist can transfer into the painting. A blurred or pixelated photo limits even the most talented painter.
Resolution and sharpness
Use a photo with as high a resolution as possible - at least 1 megapixel, ideally 3 megapixels or more. Smartphone photos from around 2018 usually deliver sufficient quality. Avoid heavily zoomed or cropped images, as these quickly lose their sharpness.
Exposure and colors
Natural daylight delivers the best results. Photos with strong flash light look flat and lose depth. Make sure that faces are not in shadow and that the colors look natural. Slightly overexposed photos are better than photos that are too dark - the artist can add shadows, but cannot invent lost details in dark areas.
Image composition
In portraits, faces should be clearly recognizable and not obscured. Group photos work best when everyone is clearly visible and no one is cropped. Remember: the artist cannot paint what cannot be seen in the photo.
Our tip: You are welcome to send us several photos. Our artists will give you honest advice on which photo is best suited as an oil painting.
The right size for your oil painting
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a hand-painted oil painting from a photo cost in Switzerland?
Prices start at CHF 306 for a portrait in 40 × 50 cm format. The final price depends on format, number of people and chosen style. At ArtMinded you see the exact price immediately in the configurator before you order.
How long does an oil painting take to make?
The standard delivery time is 2 to 5 weeks from ordering — depending on complexity and current workload. For gift deadlines, we recommend planning at least 4 weeks of lead time. Express orders are possible on request.
What quality does my source photo need?
Ideally a sharp, well-lit photo of at least 1500 × 1500 pixels. Daylight or bright indoor light works best. We check every photo before starting and get in touch if anything needs optimizing.
Can I have several people in one picture?
Yes — family portraits with 2 to 8 people are possible. Note: there is a small surcharge per additional person. For the best result, we recommend a single source photo in which all people are evenly lit.
What happens if I'm not happy with the result?
Before shipping, you receive a preview of the finished work. If there are justified requests for adjustments, we correct free of charge. ArtMinded is a Swiss company with a studio in Wädenswil — we are directly reachable.
Does ArtMinded also deliver outside Switzerland?
Our main market is Switzerland, with shipping within a few days. Deliveries to Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein are possible — shipping costs and delivery time are shown at checkout.
Want to create your own piece?
Select a configurator, upload a photo, starting at CHF 306.
Choosing the right size depends on two factors: the room in which the painting is to hang and the motif itself. A large landscape painting only unfolds its effect from a certain size, while an intimate portrait is also convincing in a smaller format.
As a rule of thumb, the painting should take up about two thirds of the width of the piece of furniture over which it hangs. A painting 100-120 cm wide looks ideal above a 180 cm wide sofa. Formats from 40 × 50 cm are suitable for hallways or smaller walls.
Oil painting, oil picture, oil portrait — is it all the same thing?
In everyday use, yes. «Oil painting» sounds a little more formal and tends to be used for larger or more elaborate works, «oil picture» is the more casual term, and «oil portrait» simply means an oil picture with a person in it. So whether you are looking for an oil picture from a photo or want photos painted as oil paintings: it is the same craft — oil paint, applied by hand, on canvas.
What really matters is the difference from a print. An oil painting from a photo is built up layer by layer: underpainting, body, fine detail and finally the varnish. It has a surface you can see in raking light and feel with your finger — every brushstroke sits where a person put it. A canvas print only imitates that.
And if you live near Lake Zurich: you are welcome to bring your reference photo in person and collect the finished work yourself.
Original or art print — the comparison · Our studio in Wädenswil
Painting style and artistic realization
Not every photo has to be converted one-to-one into a painting. It is often the artistic interpretation that makes an oil painting so special. At ArtMinded you can choose between different styles:
Realistic painting style is particularly suitable for portraits and animal pictures where recognition is important. Impressionist style lends landscapes and scenes a dreamlike, atmospheric quality. Modern interpretation sets accents with stronger colors or simplified shapes - perfect as an eye-catcher in the living room.
Our artists will discuss the desired style with you in advance to ensure that the result is exactly what you want. And if you have a free subject in mind instead of a photo — a dream landscape, a special scene or several photos combined — you can also have a custom painting made.
Why a hand-painted oil painting is special
In an age of photo prints and AI-generated images, many people wonder why a hand-painted oil painting is worth its price. The answer lies in the detail: every brushstroke is unique, the texture of the oil paint on the canvas gives the painting a depth and vibrancy that no print can match.
An oil painting changes with the light in the room - it looks different in the morning than in the evening, in sunlight than by candlelight. This liveliness makes it a real work of art and not just a reproduction.
In addition, oil paintings are extremely durable if cared for properly. Many of the world's most famous paintings are hundreds of years old and still shine in all their glory.
The ordering process at ArtMinded
At ArtMinded, we have made the process as simple as possible:
Step 1 - Upload photo: Choose your favorite photo and upload it to our website. You can choose the format and size directly.
Step 2 - Advice: Our artists will check your photo and advise you on size, cropping and style if required. This service is free of charge.
Step 3 - Painting: Your painting is painted by hand on high-quality canvas. Depending on the size and complexity, completion takes 2-4 weeks.
Step 4 - Delivery: The finished painting is securely packaged and delivered directly to your home.
Avoid common mistakes
From our many years of experience, we know the most common mistakes when ordering an oil painting from a photo. If you avoid these, you are on the safe side:
Use photos that are too small: Screenshots from social media or highly compressed WhatsApp images often do not have enough resolution. Always send the original photo.
Unrealistic expectations: An oil painting is an artistic interpretation - it will never be identical to the photo, and that is precisely what makes it valuable. Small deviations in color and proportion are intentional and give the work character.
Select the wrong format: Measure the intended wall area before ordering. A painting that is too small on a large wall will look lost, and one that is too large will overwhelm the room.
Conclusion
A high-quality original photo, the right size and a clear idea of the desired style — these are the three ingredients for a perfect oil painting from a photo. At ArtMinded, our experienced, specialised artists are at your side to transform your favorite photo into a unique work of art with passion and skill — with Swiss quality control.
Configure your photo as an oil painting now - from CHF 306. or contact us for a personal consultation.
Ready for your own oil painting?
Upload a photo, choose format and frame — our specialised artists paint your personal artwork in 2-5 weeks from CHF 306, with Swiss quality control.
