Modern Custom Portraits with a Street Edge
Forget boring portraits. I mix real-deal street energy, wild calligraffiti, and vibrant color palettes to make your face or your favorite icon pop on canvas.
Paying homage to the rap god, Tupac Shakur. This custom canvas blends realistic portraiture with my signature graffiti lettering. It’s a must-have for any true hip-hop fan.
This video shows the process of creating one of my favorite fusion pieces. I combined a portrait of a South Indian woman with intricate calligraffiti, using both spray paint and brushes to get the effect.
The finished South Indian girl portrait with calligraffiti. The contrast between the soft portrait and the sharp, flowing script creates a dope visual. This is what I mean by art with a twist.
Watch me bring this portrait to life, from the initial sketch to the final details. I used gold leaf for the butterflies to add a touch of elegance and contrast to the modern painting style.
This is a large 7x3 foot canvas I painted for Skyline Resort. The portrait shows a woman surrounded by flowers, using a cool blue and yellow color palette to create a serene but powerful mood.
The same portrait, but in black and white. Stripping away the color shows the detail in the shading and composition. Sometimes a monochrome vibe is just as powerful.
About Modern Portraits: Faces with a Twist
I don't just copy a photo; I build a vibe around it. Whether we are adding gold leaf butterflies, layers of calligraffiti, or swapping a standard background for abstract street patterns, my goal is to make the portrait look like it belongs on a gallery wall, but with that raw street soul.
How We Build Your Portrait
When you commission a portrait, we start by doing a vibe check. You send over the reference photo, and we talk about the energy you want. Do you want it to scream with color, or are you feeling something more monochrome and intense?
I treat every piece like a fusion project. I take the likeness of the person, whether it is you, a friend, or a legend like Tupac, and I surround it with elements that define my style.
The Process:
- Concepting: You tell me the theme. I create a digital mockup or a pencil sketch so we are both on the same page before I touch the canvas.
- The Mix: I use heavy-body acrylics for the base, aerosol sprays to get those smooth graffiti gradients, and Posca markers for the tight details and calligraffiti tags.
- Finishing: I seal everything with a clear acrylic varnish. It keeps the colors looking fresh and protects the paint, so it lasts long on your wall.
Why This Style?
Standard portraits are cool, but they don't always catch the personality. By bringing in graffiti lettering or abstract splashes, the art feels alive. It breaks the rules of traditional fine art. I have painted everything from portraits with gold leaf accents to large-format pieces for resorts. If you want something that stands out in your space and starts a conversation, this is the way to go. I ship across India, and the artwork comes ready to hang—no framing headaches on your end.
Similar work from other experts
Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe
9
Colorful & Vibrant Custom Portraits
4
Custom Portraits and Modern Art for Your Home
6
Custom Portrait Commissions: Hand-Painted Art
11
Iconic Portraits & Character Murals
Hand-painted canvas art and custom graffiti pieces
9
Custom Portraits: Faceless & Detailed
Find specific art styles or services
You can search for specific artists, art types, or commission styles here.
More from Custom Canvas Paintings by Stanlee Jr.
More services by Stanlee Jr.