How much for a portrait?
 

I was looking around my local craft store and was confronted by the canvasses. I have always wished I had the talent to paint. I can barely draw, although I can do some pretty good cartoon characters. But portraits? no.

I would love to have a portrait of D with Ben. Or even just D. I would be more than happy to buy the materials, but what should I expect in terms of payment to the artist? Is it common for artists to be able to paint from a picture and turn it around in two weeks? I want this to be a surprise.

100-500$ depending on quality.

Is that Canadian $?
$640 here.

A two week turn around doesn't seem too unreasonable but it's all up to the artist and however busy they may be. I'd be less concerned with the materials and more with finding an artist whose style suits you tastes, whose prices are within your budget and whose work seems worthy of the asking price.

Thank you all! This really helps me get together funds for this idea.

doesn't matter. It's what I would charge. It always depends on size and material used and quality. For a poster size painting, i would charge a ton more than a 8x11 paper pencil portrait. you see?

Oh, I wouldn't do it. I can't paint. That's the rate we pay at the studio when someone wants one. We use a guy out in California.

Regardless of it being a portrait, I'd say the price is more related to materials used, size of the support and time taken over the work. And of course quality. I have made portraits for free, I've charged for them. I'd say the estimate given above by MexicanOnABike is close to the reality for a good artist. For a renowned artist, add at least 1 zero on.