Custom Watercolor Portraits by Liliane Avalos: Capture Your Story

Commissioning a personalized fine art watercolor portrait with me, Liliane Avalos, is more than just ordering a painting. It’s stepping into a meaningful creative process. Whether you’re envisioning a traditional portrait or something with a more contemporary feel, I work closely with you to bring your ideas to life. Every piece is crafted with intention, care, and attention to nuance, capturing the personality, emotion, and story behind your subject.

My goal is always to create a timeless artwork that feels personal, soulful, and worthy of being passed down for generations. If you're curious about the process or ready to begin, I’m happy to guide you every step of the way.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through exactly how my portrait commissions work. From the first message to the final brushstrokes.

Capturing Likeness

To create a portrait that truly honors your loved one, I need clear, detailed reference photos to work from. This means I must be able to clearly see the facial features, expressions, and natural shadows, the little details that bring a painting to life. If a photo is too low-resolution, blurry, overexposed with blown-out white highlights, or missing key details, I won’t be able to take on the project.

I never want to “guess” what someone looks like. My goal is to capture their likeness with accuracy, depth, and respect, and the only way I can do that is by working from strong images. This ensures that you receive my best work every single time.

If you’re unsure whether your photos will work, feel free to send them to me. I’m always happy to take a look and guide you on what’s usable or what may need to be retaken.

Customizing Your Classical Style Portrait

Your portrait should reflect your unique personality and vision. With me, you have the flexibility to include multiple subjects or combine separate reference photos of different people or pets into one painting. If you prefer, I can replace extraneous backgrounds with expressive washes of color, interpret existing environments, or leave the background blank for a clean and contemporary look that highlights the subject. This customization ensures that your portrait truly captures the essence of your loved ones.

Pricing and Sizes

To accommodate different preferences, I offer the following sizes for portrait commissions: If you require a larger size, please feel free to inquire. The starting prices provided below are a general guideline, and custom sizes or special requests may have different pricing, which we'll discuss before a deposit is made. It's important to note that framing and matting is not included in the commission prices.

Traditional Realism Watercolor portrait pricing:

1. 9” x 12”- $900 One single subject (+$350 per additional subject, three subjects maximum)

2. 10” x 14”- $1,000 One single subject (+$350 per additional subject, four subjects maximum)

3. 12” x 16”- $1,400 Includes two subjects (+$350 per additional subject, four subjects maximum)

4. 15" x 22"- $2,200 Includes three subjects (+$400 per additional subject, six subjects maximum)

5. 18” x 24”- $3,200 Includes four subjects (+$450 per additional subject, eight subjects maximum)

6. 22″ x 30″- $5,000 Includes five subjects (+$500 per additional subject, ten subjects maximum)

Preliminary Drawing and Revisions

Before proceeding with the painting process, I'll provide you with a preliminary drawing, giving you the opportunity to approve and request revisions. Any adjustments to your watercolor drawing are to be made during the preliminary stage, substantial changes to the finished painting might not be possible. This way, we ensure that you are involved in the creative process and achieve a result that exceeds your expectations.

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Contemporary ARTxLA Portraits

For clients looking for a fine art collector experience, my Contemporary ARTxLA portraits offer something far beyond a traditional likeness. These pieces are fully original fine art creations, expressive, deeply conceptual, and designed to become true heirlooms. Rather than simply recreating a photo, I reinterpret your subject through my signature visual language, incorporating symbolic imagery, layered storytelling, and experimental mixed-media techniques that make each artwork one-of-a-kind.

This version of my portrait work is ideal for collectors who want a piece that feels elevated, emotionally rich, and visually striking… Something that doesn’t just capture a person, but captures a soul, an essence, a narrative. These artworks are thoughtfully composed, intentionally stylized, and built through a collaborative creative process where we explore meaning, themes, aesthetics, and artistic direction together.

Depending on your location, we can schedule a reference photo session, or I will guide you through capturing the perfect images at home. Throughout the process, we will engage in conversations, sketches, and creative brainstorming to shape the final direction of your custom artwork.

Please note: Pricing below serves as a general guideline. Final quotes may vary depending on complexity, symbolism, materials, or additional conceptual elements.

Framing and matting are not included.

Each Contemporary ARTxLA portrait includes:

• A fully original fine art composition (not just a portrait copy)

• Symbolic or conceptual imagery based on your story

• Experimental layering, rich color, and expressive detail

• Premium materials and archival processes

• A hand-signed, stamped Certificate of Authenticity

• Custom embossed signature on paper works

• A collaborative creative experience from start to finish

Contemporary Watercolor portrait pricing:

1. 12” x 16” — $1,650

One single subject

• $450 per additional subject (maximum 3 subjects total)

2. 15” x 22” — $2,650

Includes one subject

• $500 per additional subject (maximum 4 subjects total)

3. 18” x 24” — $3,850

Includes two subjects

• $550 per additional subject (maximum 6 subjects total)

4. 22” x 30” — $5,600

Includes two subjects

• $600 per additional subject (maximum 8 subjects total)

5. 29.5” x 41” — $8,900

Includes three subjects

• $650 per additional subject (maximum 10 subjects total)

Payment and Shipping

To initiate the commission process, a 50% deposit is required. Once we have discussed the details of your portrait, I will send you a custom invoice via PayPal, ensuring a secure payment method. Once the painting is complete, I will email you a photo for your approval. If you are satisfied with the final result, you can then pay the remaining balance through PayPal, and upon receiving full payment, I will ship your original portrait. For customers in Texas, please note that sales tax will be added to your order total during checkout.

Complimentary shipping is available for packages sent to destinations within the United States. If you require international shipping, rates typically start at around $60 and vary depending on the destination. Please be aware that any additional customs fees for international packages are the responsibility of the recipient. I take great care in packing your artwork to prevent damage during transit. In the rare event of any damage, please contact me within 7 days of receiving your package, and I will assist you in initiating an insurance claim and arranging for a replacement. Remember to retain all packaging and the portrait itself.

Framing and Preservation

While I do not currently offer framing or matting services, I encourage you to support your local independent framers. When framing your original artwork on paper, it's crucial to use a mat or spacers to ensure that the glass does not press directly against the artwork, which could cause damage over time. Opting for acid-free matting and backing board, as well as UV filtering glass or plexiglass, helps preserve your artwork for future generations. It is essential to avoid hanging or installing your watercolor portrait in direct sunlight, as this can lead to sun bleaching. Additionally, keeping your artwork away from moist conditions will prevent any potential damage.

Timeframe and Copyright

For traditional portraits, please allow approximately 2-3 months for completion throughout most of the year. The process for contemporary portraits may take longer. When you inquire about a commission, I can provide you with an estimate of the current timeframe, which may vary based on my workload. If you have a specific deadline in mind, please let me know, and I will inform you if it is feasible. Please note that rush fees may apply for tight deadlines. The final deadline for classic portraits needed by Christmas is usually December 1, and for Valentine's Day, it is typically January 20. However, commissions may be closed earlier depending on my workload.

Once the artwork is complete, I may showcase the resulting artwork and even create a time-lapse video for promotional purposes, unless you request otherwise. While you are free to use your commissioned portrait for personal purposes, it is important to obtain my permission before using it for commercial applications. Please be aware that copyright and reproduction rights are reserved by me unless otherwise transferred in writing. If you choose to display your portrait on personal social media or non-commercial websites, I would greatly appreciate including a link to my website, www.lilianeavalos.com, or tagging my social media accounts @ARTxLA. Your support through word-of-mouth promotion is immensely appreciated!

In Conclusion

Commissioning a personalized fine art portrait by me, Liliane Avalos, offers a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether it's a traditional portrait or a contemporary piece, I'll work closely with you to bring your vision to life. From capturing lifelike details to tailoring the artwork to your preferences, I'm committed to delivering a masterpiece that surpasses your expectations. Don't hesitate to reach out to me for further information or to start the commission process. Let's create a cherished piece of art that celebrates your loved ones for generations to come.

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