--- title: "Custom Portrait Painting Process | Hand-Painted Art by Rattan" description: "Discover the behind-the-scenes process of my custom portrait paintings. From acrylics on canvas to unique wooden slices, get your memories turned into personal art in Bangalore." canonical: https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/custom-portrait-paintings-taking-limited-orders/behind-the-brush-my-painting-process last_updated: 2025-09-20 --- # Behind the Brush: My Painting Process Tribe Verified · Custom portraits hand-painted in Bengaluru By [Rattan](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash) · Ships across India · ₹2,800 per artwork (estimate) Part of [Custom Portrait Paintings (Taking Limited Orders)](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/custom-portrait-paintings-taking-limited-orders). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/custom-portrait-paintings-taking-limited-orders/gallery) Every portrait I paint has a story. Get a peek behind the scenes—from the first sketch to the final protective varnish—and see how I turn your memories into art. ## Photos and videos - ![The very first stage of a commission piece. This is the initial pencil sketch on a toned canvas, mapping out the composition of the man, the car, and the house.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/73f1a2a2-8ff5-434b-b61d-b8d0b4655193) - ![Here, I've started blocking in the major elements. The house is taking shape, and I've painted the black Rolls Royce, leaving the figure of the man to be detailed later.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/71ca2ef4-0bdf-4537-8755-0e2a6f9167af) - ![Another angle of the initial sketch phase. Getting the proportions and perspective right at this stage is crucial for the final painting's success.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/72747201-a946-4230-af9b-746e8a3d895e) - ![In this stage, I've added more detail to the background, including the palm trees and the warm glow from the windows of the house.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ffd5aa00-fd4e-4828-8f8a-759cbe415bf5) - [Video: People often ask how I make my portraits look so 3D. The answer is understanding the basics, like the power of shadows and highlights to create form and dimension.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8612d518-5578-47d9-8ef8-8a21d4fcb514) - [Video: A burnt sienna underpainting is a technique that helped me improve my portraits and paint them faster. It allows me to map out the values (light and shadow) before I even add color.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1709fdb1-b8b7-4678-8924-94bb6a012dd0) - [Video: Part one of a portrait commission. This video shows the process from priming the canvas and toning it to blocking in the main colors of the subject and background.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e48f4ea0-1568-46b2-a594-61a328b4a21a) - [Video: A cozy time-lapse of me working on a commission on a rainy Saturday. This is my typical setup, with my paints, brushes, and a reference photo on my tablet.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/286e195e-59b8-49a8-9fd2-d0f11bdb0244) - [Video: A glimpse into my life as a late-night artist. Sometimes the best creative energy comes after the sun goes down, and I'm working late to finish a piece like this one.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1f18698a-14ed-4835-bfcb-5c30c770fbee) - [Video: A quick promotional video I made using a finished painting. It's a fun way to showcase my work and remind everyone that I'm open for commissions.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c08a43f7-63a9-478c-b754-16760f283ab8) - [Video: Here I am, unboxing and preparing a large canvas for my biggest commission so far. It was both nerve-wracking and exciting to start on such a big project.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5f31efc0-d349-4714-b32a-92a1fa27d970) - [Video: A motivational reel reminding myself and other artists to "just make things." It's a compilation of me working on various projects, from canvas paintings to sketchbook drawings.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2040b1a4-6547-446a-8820-be310cc69b88) - [Video: This is a painting of an artist's hand I did on a page of a user manual. I love finding unconventional surfaces to paint on and turning something ordinary into art.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/39d071f0-fd47-4409-a77c-c4baab3cf752) - [Video: A quick 15-minute pen and wash sketch in my daily sketchbook. Loose, quick sketches like this are great for practice and keeping creativity flowing without the pressure of perfection.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/85232be1-c736-44d4-b956-1345a496543f) - [Video: This was a challenging piece from a creative prompt: a croissant. I painted it on a page from a user manual, trying to capture the flaky texture with colored pencils.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4184ff44-22f2-44ae-af93-9a97a524a488) - [Video: Another page from my user manual art series. This time, I painted a whimsical snail on a mushroom, adding a touch of nature to the technical text.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8ddda17d-d491-4ddb-a4c5-f7a83f553300) ## About Behind the Brush: My Painting Process My process is rooted in both efficiency and heart. For every portrait commission, I start with a value study—usually a burnt sienna underpainting—to map out light and shadow before applying color. This technique helps me capture accurate skin tones and proportions much faster, ensuring I can focus my energy on the finer details, like clothing patterns or expression, that make your piece feel truly personal. When you book a custom portrait commission, you aren't just getting a painting; you are getting a piece of work that I have dedicated days to. My process starts with a simple conversation to understand the vibe you are looking for. Whether it is a couple portrait, a memorial piece merging photos of loved ones, or a pet portrait, the goal is always the same: capturing the emotion of the moment. After we lock in the details, I prepare the surface—be it stretched cotton canvas, rustic wood slices, or specialty paper. I begin with the sketch and then move to the underpainting. This is the stage where I map out the shadows and highlights, which gives the final acrylic work its signature 3D depth. I avoid rushing this step because it is the foundation of the entire painting. I layer my acrylic paints, building up vibrancy and texture. Every piece is finished with a double coat of varnish to protect it from dust and UV fading, keeping the colors sharp for years. Because I pour so much of myself into each layer and limit my monthly slots to maintain quality, my order list can fill up quite quickly. I always recommend reaching out early if you have a specific date in mind, like an anniversary or birthday. If you have a specific artistic theme in mind—like a Van Gogh aesthetic, Ghibli vibes, or a Taylor Swift inspired color palette—let me know during our chat. I love finding ways to integrate those personal touches into the background or the overall style of the art. ## About Rattan Hi, I’m Rattan! I’m an anxious, self-taught artist living in Bangalore, and I pour every bit of my heart into these paintings. I’m not just creating art; I’m turning your favorite, most precious memories into something you can actually hold onto. [See all of Rattan's services](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash) ## More from Custom Portrait Paintings (Taking Limited Orders) by Rattan - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/custom-portrait-paintings-taking-limited-orders/featured) - [Couple Portraits: Celebrating Your Story](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/custom-portrait-paintings-taking-limited-orders/couple-portraits-celebrating-your-story) - [For the Swifties: Taylor Swift Inspired Art](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/custom-portrait-paintings-taking-limited-orders/for-the-swifties-taylor-swift-inspired-art) - [Family, Friends & Sibling Portraits](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/custom-portrait-paintings-taking-limited-orders/family-friends-sibling-portraits) - [Custom Pet Portraits](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/custom-portrait-paintings-taking-limited-orders/custom-pet-portraits) - [Solo & Individual Portraits](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/custom-portrait-paintings-taking-limited-orders/solo-individual-portraits) - [Unique Canvases & Creative Surfaces](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/custom-portrait-paintings-taking-limited-orders/unique-canvases-creative-surfaces) - [Landscapes & Artistic Backgrounds](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/custom-portrait-paintings-taking-limited-orders/landscapes-artistic-backgrounds) - [Bringing Memories Together](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/custom-portrait-paintings-taking-limited-orders/bringing-memories-together) - [The Art of Gifting](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/custom-portrait-paintings-taking-limited-orders/the-art-of-gifting) - [Client Love & Reactions](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/custom-portrait-paintings-taking-limited-orders/client-love-reactions) - [Learn With Me: Art Tips & Workshops](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/custom-portrait-paintings-taking-limited-orders/learn-with-me-art-tips-workshops) ## More services by Rattan - [Painting Parties & Workshops](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/painting-parties-workshops) - [Painting Classes & Tutoring](https://mytribe.in/the.purple.splash/painting-classes-tutoring) ## Similar work from other experts - [Behind the Brush: My Custom Painting Process](https://mytribe.in/anushkanayakart/custom-hand-painted-portraits/behind-the-brush-my-painting-process) by Anushka Nayak · Custom Hand-Painted Portraits · Studio in Mumbai; Ships across India - [Behind the Brush: How My Paintings Come to Life](https://mytribe.in/megvinart/original-fine-art-paintings/behind-the-brush-my-creative-process) by Megha Vinod · Original Fine Art Paintings · Ships across India & Bengaluru - [The Creative Journey: From Canvas to Keepsake](https://mytribe.in/painterspallete/custom-portrait-art/the-creative-process-from-canvas-to-keepsake) by Ishika Vishwakarma · Custom Portrait Art · Ships across India - [Behind the Brush: My Creative Process](https://mytribe.in/artistic_galleria/spiritual-devotional-artwork/behind-the-brush-my-creative-process) by Prerna · Spiritual & Devotional Artwork · Ships across India - [Behind the Easel: My Painting Process and Studio Life](https://mytribe.in/sumana007/commissioned-art-custom-portraits/behind-the-easel) by Sumana M · Commissioned Art & Custom Portraits · Ships across India - [Behind the Canvas: My Custom Art Process](https://mytribe.in/artbynidaabbasi/custom-storytelling-art/behind-the-canvas-my-process) by Nida Abbasi · Custom Storytelling Art · Available online; Ships across India ## Book To book Rattan, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hey%20Rattan!%20I%20loved%20seeing%20your%20painting%20process%20behind%20the%20brush.%20I%E2%80%99d%20love%20to%20discuss%20a%20custom%20portrait%20commission.)