--- title: "Custom Portrait Painting Process | Hand-Painted Art by Palak" description: "See how I turn your photos into hand-painted oil portraits. From charcoal sketches to final highlights, explore my 65-hour painting process and commission a piece." canonical: https://mytribe.in/flourishartbypalak/custom-portrait-paintings/the-artistic-process-from-sketch-to-masterpiece last_updated: 2025-09-30 --- # My Painting Process: From Sketch to Masterpiece Tribe Verified · Mumbai studio, shipping art across India. By [Flourish Art by Palak Mehta](https://mytribe.in/flourishartbypalak) · Studio in Mumbai; Ships across India · ₹35K per artwork (estimate) Part of [Custom Portrait Paintings](https://mytribe.in/flourishartbypalak/custom-portrait-paintings). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/flourishartbypalak/custom-portrait-paintings/gallery) I believe in showing you the journey behind every canvas. Here is how I build my portraits, layer by layer, to capture the true essence of the subject. ## Photos and videos - ![A sneak peek at a massive 5.5-foot canvas. This is the underpainting stage for the portrait of Mr. Amit Shah, where I begin mapping out the facial features and warm color palette.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/262d36b6-2b97-408c-aae7-2557612c2780) - ![A close-up, work-in-progress shot of the Amit Shah portrait. You can see the layers of oil paint starting to build up, creating depth in the skin tones and defining the expression.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/49005cc9-ded2-4ab3-a11e-ab27b7a6cb18) - ![A work-in-progress picture of the monochromatic portrait for Shree Motilal Oswal. Working in black and white requires a deep understanding of light, shadow, and value to create a realistic image.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a6201240-1da0-42f1-87e3-0231911831a6) - ![This is the underpainting stage for the portrait of Mr. Dinesh Lakhani. Here, I've established the basic likeness and tones before moving on to the final details and background.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e8dc10c3-7e20-4583-89f2-759f17037d29) - ![The very first step: a charcoal sketch on a dark canvas for my expressive portrait. This initial drawing is the critical foundation for the entire painting.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8232aa82-0f96-4fc9-a295-287bf76075a9) - ![Beginning the underpainting process. I'm blocking in the main shapes and shadows with a base color to establish the facial structure before adding more vibrant tones.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f032e57c-5753-45af-9d35-4aa058ade245) - ![Continuing with the underpainting, adding more definition to the wrinkles and features. This stage is like creating a detailed map for the final layers of color.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/95c88f7e-f12c-43f5-b3e6-a2201c3eb09a) - ![The underpainting is getting more refined. I'm starting to introduce subtle color variations in the skin to prepare for the hyperrealistic details to come.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/974d05ab-1747-451a-9000-cb51b1a0ade5) - ![Now the main colors are being applied over the underpainting. You can see how the face starts to gain dimension and a more lifelike quality.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ca60f970-ab76-4085-bb90-ceffbf206ad7) - ![The portrait is nearing completion. Most of the details are in place, and I'm working on the final highlights and shadows that make the expression pop.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/eac68320-80e6-4954-8b43-684117036c56) - ![A close-up of the nearly finished piece. The texture of the skin, the beard, and the emotion in the eyes are all coming together through careful, patient brushwork.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dad9d458-c082-47f4-ac0d-df93b55e48c3) - ![The beginning stages of another commissioned portrait. After the initial sketch, I start with the eyes, as they are the most important feature for capturing a person's soul.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/09963ad6-bae7-4cee-8804-22748e694950) - ![A slightly different angle of the early underpainting stage. You can see the pencil sketch underneath the first layers of oil paint.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/134e69e6-fbea-42b9-ae9a-4f456c88fd3b) - ![The face is beginning to take shape. I've blocked in the main areas of light and shadow on the forehead and around the glasses.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c42fd1cc-a48f-4076-8fab-1dde717491b2) - ![More progress on the portrait. The skin tones are becoming richer, and the defining features are more pronounced. The rest of the canvas is still in its base layer.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e0ad99df-8117-4b1f-b043-1a92f68b50fc) - ![Here, I'm working on the hand and shirt, leaving the final details for the face. The process involves working across the entire canvas to ensure harmony.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/01da8915-deed-4d3c-b5bf-e9035ea773ee) - ![The portrait is almost complete, but I'm still refining the skin tones and the subtle details in the hand and clothing before adding the final touches.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f1d937d5-4f40-4070-8dec-0793a54fbc77) - ![Adding the garland ('haar') to the portrait. This element adds a traditional and personal touch to the commissioned piece.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6ecdeb2c-799b-4be1-9f1e-cedb41558eb1) - ![The painting is almost finished. The garland is fully rendered, and I'm doing a final pass on the facial features to ensure everything is perfect.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/647c18e7-0dd4-410d-9839-8c09556a0fd4) ## About The Artistic Process: From Sketch to Masterpiece Everything I paint begins with a charcoal sketch directly on the canvas. Before adding any color, I spend hours on the 'underpainting' stage, where I map out the facial structure, lighting, and shadows. It is the most critical part of my work because it ensures the final portrait has depth and accurate proportions before I ever touch a brush with oil or acrylic. When you commission a painting, you aren't just getting a finished product. You are getting a piece that has been built over 65 hours or more, depending on the complexity. I work with high-quality oil and acrylic paints on fine-grain cotton canvas, and I never take shortcuts. My process follows a few key stages: * **The Foundation:** I start with a charcoal sketch to get the likeness perfect. * **The Underpainting:** This is where I block in the primary shapes and shadows. Think of it as a detailed map for the final portrait. * **Layering:** I use the 'Fat over Lean' technique for my oil paintings. This allows the paint to dry correctly and ensures the portrait will last for generations without cracking. * **Details & Highlights:** This is where I focus on the quirks, the glints in the eyes, and the unique textures that make a face look alive. I often work on these details last to ensure they pop. For large-scale tribute pieces, I use custom heavy-duty wooden stretcher bars to prevent warping. I also apply museum-grade varnishes at the end to protect the work from UV light and dust. Whether it is a small 16-inch canvas or a massive 5-foot tribute, the care I put into each layer remains the same. If it isn't perfect, I redo it. That is how I ensure your memory is captured exactly as it should be. ## About Flourish Art by Palak Mehta Hi, I'm Palak. After taking a break for motherhood, I am back in my Mumbai studio, paint on my hands and my heart full of new stories. Art runs in my family, and I am currently opening up slots for 2025 commissions. [See all of Flourish Art by Palak Mehta's services](https://mytribe.in/flourishartbypalak) ## More from Custom Portrait Paintings by Flourish Art by Palak Mehta - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/flourishartbypalak/custom-portrait-paintings/featured) - [Corporate & Tribute Portraits](https://mytribe.in/flourishartbypalak/custom-portrait-paintings/corporate-tribute-portraits) - [Couple & Family Portraits](https://mytribe.in/flourishartbypalak/custom-portrait-paintings/couple-family-portraits) - [Expressive Character Portraits](https://mytribe.in/flourishartbypalak/custom-portrait-paintings/expressive-character-portraits) - [Meet The Artist](https://mytribe.in/flourishartbypalak/custom-portrait-paintings/meet-the-artist) ## More services by Flourish Art by Palak Mehta - [Custom Canvas Paintings](https://mytribe.in/flourishartbypalak/custom-canvas-paintings) ## Similar work from other experts - [Turning Your Photos into Handmade Oil Portraits](https://mytribe.in/_jain_aashi_/custom-oil-portraits/from-photo-to-painting-the-process) by Aashi Jain · Custom Oil Portraits · Ships across India; Made at studio in Sector 78, Noida - [Behind the Scenes: How Your Custom Portrait is Made](https://mytribe.in/artist_sidd_/custom-portrait-drawings/the-process-how-your-art-is-made) by Sidd · Custom Portrait Drawings · Ships across India - [How I Turn Your Photos Into Realistic Portraits](https://mytribe.in/artistmahi_64/custom-portraits-sketches/from-blank-page-to-final-art) by Mahipal Puri · Custom Portraits & Sketches · Ships across India - [The Artistic Process: How I Create Realistic Portraits](https://mytribe.in/bikxu_artist/devotional-pop-culture-artwork/the-artistic-process-from-sketch-to-reality) by Vikash Tanti · Devotional & Pop Culture Artwork · Ships across India - [Behind the Scenes: The Making of Hyper-Realistic Portraits](https://mytribe.in/preetam_bendre/hyper-realistic-graphite-charcoal-portraits/the-making-of-a-look-behind-the-scenes) by Kalaakar · Hyper-realistic Graphite & Charcoal Portraits · Commissions delivered across India - [Behind the Scenes: My Custom Art Process](https://mytribe.in/arituistic/custom-realistic-drawings-illustrations/behind-the-scenes-my-artistic-process) by Ritika · Custom Realistic Drawings & Illustrations · Ships artwork across India ## Book To book Flourish Art by Palak Mehta, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I'm%20looking%20for%20Custom%20Portrait%20Paintings%20by%20Flourish%20Art%20by%20Palak%20Mehta.) 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