Memorial Portrait Paintings — Hand-Painted Tributes from Photos

Hand-painted memorial portraits, painted from your photos

Commissioning a memorial portrait painting is one of the most meaningful things a person can do for someone they've lost. Unlike a photograph that sits in a drawer, a hand-painted portrait becomes a permanent, physical presence on the wall — something the family lives with for decades.

I paint memorial portraits with care. Most are commissioned by family members for themselves; a significant number are commissioned as gifts for parents, siblings, or close friends who are grieving. Every memorial commission gets the same considered approach, whatever the circumstances.

Hand-painted portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven by Richard Day — example of the dignified, restrained approach used for memorial commissions
Ludwig van Beethoven, oil and acrylic on canvas. An example of the style I bring to memorial work — restrained, focused on the subject.

The reference photos question (this is what worries most people)

Almost every conversation about a memorial commission starts with: "I'm not sure the photos I have are good enough." Almost without exception, they are.

I work with:

  • Old prints scanned or photographed on a phone
  • Slightly blurry candids
  • Group photos where the subject is just one of several people
  • Photos from social media or old emails
  • Photos taken from far away that need cropping
  • Black and white photos (I'll build the colour myself)

I don't need a single perfect photo. I usually ask for several — five or more if you have them — so I can triangulate the right likeness across multiple angles, ages, expressions. The painting becomes a synthesis of who the person was, not a replica of one specific moment.

Who I paint memorial portraits for

Recent commissions have included:

  • Parents commissioning portraits of children they've lost
  • Adult children commissioning portraits of parents and grandparents
  • Surviving partners commissioning portraits of late spouses
  • Friends commissioning memorial portraits as gifts for grieving families
  • Memorial portraits commissioned ahead of significant anniversaries or birthdays

Almost all are single-canvas, one-figure paintings in oil and acrylic. For multiple subjects (parents together, a pet alongside their owner, siblings) see the couple portrait commission for two people or the family portrait commission for three or more.

Self portrait by Richard Day, oil and acrylic on canvas — shows the studio's approach to capturing a single subject
Self Portrait 25. The most honest test of a portrait practice — and a reminder that I bring the same care to a single subject whether it's a familiar face or someone you knew.

How the commission process works

I keep the process simple, especially for memorial commissions where there's already enough to think about. Here's how it works:

  1. Enquiry. You email me with a few reference photos and a bit of context — who the person is, what feels important to capture. There's no rush.
  2. Discussion. I come back with thoughts on composition, size, palette, and pricing. We can talk through the photos if anything's unclear.
  3. Painting. Once you place the order and approve a composition sketch, I get to work. Most memorial commissions take 3–4 weeks in studio.
  4. Photos for approval. Before the painting ships, you see finished photos under natural light. If anything needs adjusting — a different expression, warmer skin tone, something specific about how they held their head — I'll keep working until you're happy.
  5. Shipping. The painting arrives professionally packed, tracked and insured. Free worldwide.
Portrait commission in progress in Richard Day's Norwich studio — hand-painted in oil and acrylic
In progress, on the easel. Every commission — memorial or otherwise — is painted entirely by hand. No prints, no digital, no AI.

If at the end the painting still doesn't feel right, you don't pay. Full money-back guarantee — no questions.

Style and approach

My usual work has a graffiti-influenced energy — vivid colour, expressive brushwork, spray paint texture. For memorial commissions I almost always pull this back. The pieces tend to feel quieter, more focused on capturing the person, less stylized. We'll talk about how stylized or naturalistic you want it before I start.

That said, some families specifically want the painting to feel like a celebration of who the person was — bold, full of colour, energetic. There's no right answer. It depends on the person being remembered and how you want to remember them.

Charles Darwin portrait painting by Richard Day — example of a more restrained, reflective approach often used in memorial work
Charles Darwin. An example of the more reflective, less stylized approach that often suits memorial work.

Sizes and pricing

Memorial portrait paintings start at £295 for the smallest size (20×24") and scale up to £1,495 for the largest (72×72"). Most memorial commissions land in the £445–£795 range — large enough to hold a wall, not so large that it dominates a room.

See full sizes and prices on the memorial portrait commission product page.

Common questions about memorial portrait commissions

How much does a memorial painting cost?
From £295 to £1,495 depending on size. Most commissions land between £445 and £795. There's no memorial premium — pricing matches my single-subject commission.

How long does a memorial portrait take to paint?
Usually 3–4 weeks from when reference photos are approved. I'll always give you an accurate timeline upfront based on current studio workload. If you're working toward a specific date — an anniversary, the birthday of the person who passed, a memorial service — tell me up front and I'll let you know honestly if I can hit it.

I'd rather not see progress photos — I want to be surprised.
Totally fine. Tell me at the start and I'll only send the finished piece. I have clients on both ends — some want detailed updates throughout, others want minimal contact until the end. Both work.

What if my photos are very old or in black and white?
Both work. I've painted from prints that were 40+ years old. Black and white photos are fine for capturing structure and likeness — I'll build the colour myself, often after we discuss what skin tone, eye colour, hair colour to use.

Can I commission a memorial portrait that includes more than one person?
Yes — see the couple commission for two people or the family commission for three or more. Multi-subject memorial commissions are some of the most meaningful pieces I paint.

Can the painting include the person's pet?
Yes. I treat this the same as a multi-subject commission. Email me to discuss composition and pricing.

I want to commission a memorial portrait as a gift, but I'm worried about how to give it.
I'm happy to help think this through with you. Some clients want a surprise; others involve the recipient in choosing photos. Both can work beautifully.

Ready to commission a memorial portrait?

Start by emailing me at hello@richarddaystudio.com with a few reference photos and a sentence or two about who the person is. There's no obligation — we'll talk through options before you commit to anything.

Or browse the memorial portrait commission directly if you're ready to order.

See the full commission process →