---
title: "Varun N Rao Portrait Art – Custom Caricatures & Acrylic Paintings in Bangalore - mytribe"
description: "Hire Varun N Rao for stunning portrait art, custom caricatures, and book illustration. Get personalized acrylic paintings and digital art commissions that capture your story. Book now for a unique, heartfelt masterpiece."
canonical: https://mytribe.in/vartoons
last_updated: 2024-06-09
---

# Varun N Rao

I am an engineer by profession and an artist by passion, specializing in custom portraits, caricatures, and illustrations. My goal is to bring your stories and memories to life through art, using pencil, paint, or digital tools.

## Services

### [Custom Paintings](https://mytribe.in/vartoons/custom-paintings)

Ships from Bengaluru across India

Typically ₹1,500-4,000 per sq ft (estimate)

- ![This Kerala mural style painting of Lord Krishna was a beautiful challenge I took on for a client. It was my first time attempting this intricate, traditional art form, and it was a deeply rewarding process to bring this vibrant, divine scene to life on a large canvas.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7b9f5213-376d-4aa2-aba9-4388f50ef2bd)
- ![This is a portrait of my nephew, a piece that is very close to my heart. Capturing the innocence and gentle expression of a child is a delicate process, and I even repainted the face to get it just right. It’s this attention to detail that I bring to every personalized portrait.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c53ac842-8f5c-4442-8d94-4d1785320bcb)
- [Video: Here’s a little glimpse into my process. For this special commission, I painted a portrait of the celebrated journalist Vir Sanghvi on a ceramic plate, a unique and challenging surface. It’s always exciting to experiment with new mediums to create a one of a kind piece.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9658535c-f303-4087-bf48-bce2e0d47451)
- ![A tribute to a true Indian legend, the Hindustan Motors Ambassador. This large acrylic painting was a special commission for a client in Germany who wanted to capture the car's iconic presence against the backdrop of India Gate, a piece of home for them to cherish.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0bc94506-b25c-4957-846a-35b35decff80)
- ![I find immense peace and power in painting landscapes like this one, titled 'Mountain of the Gods'. Using acrylics on a large canvas, I aimed to capture the majestic and serene presence of snow-covered peaks, a perfect statement piece for creating a calm atmosphere in any home.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/43d5ef4f-11c9-4460-b413-289e51446511)
- ![Titled 'The Awakening', this conceptual piece explores the spiritual journey of realizing the divine within oneself. I used deep blue hues and symbolic imagery to represent the path to enlightenment. It’s the kind of art that invites reflection and conversation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fc7fd479-b137-4810-8e42-2a1d53e1a1c1)
- ![I love playing with light and shadow, and 'The Writer’s Table' is a perfect example. This still life painting captures a quiet, studious moment illuminated by a single candle, creating a warm, nostalgic mood. It’s a celebration of the simple, peaceful moments in life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d8308db8-ca21-4dc6-a318-49a658f2ded2)
- ![As a Bengalurean, I had to capture the city's iconic auto rickshaws. This watercolor series illustrates the funny and unique quirks every local knows, from the classic 'wonendaaf' fare to the firm 'baralla'. It’s art that tells a relatable, everyday story with a touch of humor.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9b9a5acd-fd3d-454f-8644-1a3135c112c7)
- ![The best part of my job is seeing the joy on a client's face. Here I am with the wonderful couple who commissioned the Kerala mural of Lord Krishna. Creating art that holds personal meaning for you and becomes a cherished part of your home is what my passion is all about.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f309bb2e-9dd0-436b-8c0b-c52399512001)

### [Custom Portraits](https://mytribe.in/vartoons/custom-portraits)

Ships from Bengaluru across India

Typically ₹2-15K per portrait (A3 size, single subject) (estimate)

- ![This is one of the most satisfying portraits I've had the joy of creating. Capturing the innocent smile and chubby cheeks of a baby with color pencils is a special process. I use high-quality Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils to bring out the soft textures and warm tones, creating a timeless keepsake for the family.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/eb4e9364-b8e2-4d76-a02f-57c240beab2f)
- ![Turning a family into a fun, sweet caricature is always a delight. This digital artwork was created on an iPad, imagining the family as ice cream cones to capture their fun-loving spirit. It's a perfect, quirky piece for a unique family portrait or a special gift.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5c3dc157-33de-4f33-8198-446f502fd1bd)
- ![I had the wonderful opportunity to create these custom portraits for celebrity journalists Vir Sanghvi and Seema Goswami. What makes them unique is the medium: they are painted on bone china porcelain plates using special ceramic paints. This is a truly distinct way to display a portrait, turning it into a decorative masterpiece.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b2a1efc3-05a8-4467-8535-884461f80c60)
- [Video: Watch the process behind my digital tribute to the legendary Ratan Tata. This timelapse video shows how I build up layers, from the initial sketch to the final details, all hand-painted on an iPad using the Procreate app. It’s a look into how a digital portrait comes to life, stroke by stroke.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ab90bd1b-0eef-448c-b164-d2f596be523e)
- ![This painting holds a special story. The couple didn't have a wedding photo, so their family asked me to create one for them. Using old family photos for reference, I painted this acrylic portrait on canvas, imagining them in traditional wedding attire. It was a challenging and deeply rewarding project to bring a cherished memory to life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d985296b-03c6-43cb-a55c-e77436d21ecc)
- ![Some artworks are just pure joy, like this one capturing the unmistakable bond between a person and their furry companion. This commissioned watercolor painting was created to celebrate that pure, unconditional love. I focus on capturing the emotion and connection that makes pet portraits so meaningful.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/407117e0-ba17-44cd-aca2-6124a531a3b2)
- ![I was incredibly honored to receive the first prize for my portrait painting at the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens flower show. This acrylic on canvas piece pays tribute to the late Dr. Rajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar. Moments like these inspire me to keep pushing my creative boundaries.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6d001742-8ab1-4f1d-b7ff-98c5b982dbcd)
- [Video: Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at me working on a portrait with ceramic paints. Using a porcelain plate as my canvas is a unique process that requires a steady hand and different techniques than paper or canvas. It's a medium I've grown to love for the beautiful, glossy finish it produces.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9658535c-f303-4087-bf48-bce2e0d47451)

### [Digital Art & Illustration](https://mytribe.in/vartoons/digital-art-illustration)

Based in Bengaluru; Service available online

Typically ₹1,000-7,000 per artwork (estimate)

- [Video: This timelapse shows exactly how I bring a fun family caricature to life. Starting from a blank screen on my iPad, I hand-draw every detail to capture the joy and personality of the family, turning them into a sweet ice cream cone memory.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/55931b48-bacd-4744-b958-2c6c03e7db3c)
- ![A finished digital portrait of the legendary Ratan Tata, painted with rich colors against the backdrop of the Indian flag. This style is perfect for creating a powerful and timeless tribute or a personal keepsake with a realistic feel.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/26e3b02b-4cd7-4de7-9f8a-24b8eb9734d8)
- ![A perfect gift for couples, this digital caricature captures a happy moment with a fun, quirky twist. I worked from their photos to create this personalized scene, complete with their car and a beach background, ready for them to print and frame.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9bfcdf45-2340-4967-9fe0-3a6b58dc87f1)
- ![This is an example of my pen-on-paper caricatures, created for a corporate client to recognize their "Office Einstein." My unique hatch-line style gives it a classic, hand-drawn feel, and I can create these in bulk for team awards or events.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/09d8f019-1aba-4297-8231-154f5858c5f5)
- ![This acrylic on canvas piece was a commission to illustrate the story of the 'Six Blind Men and an Elephant.' It shows how I can take a complex concept and translate it into a single, thought-provoking image, perfect for storytelling projects.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c29c1ada-55ab-4b85-a4a9-502f920f2116)
- [Video: Watch as a simple sketch transforms into a fully colored and shaded digital caricature. This timelapse reveals the step-by-step process I use in Procreate, layering colors and details to create a vibrant and expressive final portrait.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a21638a8-5339-445e-87b3-8707580c8682)
- ![A classic black-and-white digital sketch paying tribute to the tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain. This style has a timeless, charcoal-on-paper feel and is great for capturing emotion and character in a more subtle way.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a5950ad3-42ea-45e2-ae77-31e1381cb768)
- ![A humorous watercolor series capturing the unique quirks of Bengaluru's auto-rickshaw drivers. This shows my ability to tell a relatable story through a series of illustrations, perfect for editorial content or a personal project with local flavor.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c032289e-f1b3-4996-9fb4-0da375a462ad)
- [Video: I was honored to be featured as 'Artist of the Week' where my work and story were shared. This video includes a wonderful testimonial from a client who appreciated my journey from engineer to artist and the light-and-shadow effects in my portraits.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7454a9b0-bf89-49da-af05-d9d117cd24b0)
- [Video: This is a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of my Ratan Tata portrait. You can see the digital painting come together layer by layer, from the initial outline to the final detailed rendering, all hand-painted on my iPad.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ab90bd1b-0eef-448c-b164-d2f596be523e)

## Meet your expert

### My story

Hey, I’m Varun. Engineer by degree, artist by heart. Missed JJ School, but never dropped the pencil. I started out sketching cars, now I’m deep into portraits and wild with colours. Raja Ravi Varma’s work hits home for me. I get my kicks from painting, heavy metal gigs (my neck still hurts), and seeing my art in print—especially the book I illustrated for my wife. Making people smile through my art? That’s the real win.

### My work

- **Custom Portraits & Art**: I make pencil portraits, colour pencil portraits, acrylic paintings, digital art, caricatures, and oil paintings.
- **Story-Driven Commissions**: I love projects with a story - like piecing together old wedding portraits or capturing family memories.
- **Portraits & Caricatures**: Light, shadow, and personality. I do everything from realistic portraits to fun digital caricature art.
- **Book Illustration Artist**: I illustrate for books too, bringing stories to life with line drawings and colour.