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Hand-Painted Digital Portraits

byVarun N RaoBased in Bengaluru; Service available onlineStarts from₹1,900 Per Person / SubjectView full gallery

I turn your favorite photos into timeless digital art. Using my iPad and Apple Pencil, I hand-paint every detail, bringing your memories to life with a personal, artistic touch.

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.

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.

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.

About Hand-Painted Digital Portraits

When you commission a portrait, you aren't just getting a file. You are getting the story behind it. I work directly from your high-quality reference photos, sketching layer by layer on my iPad without using any automated filters or AI. You even get a timelapse video of the creation process, so you can watch your portrait take shape from the very first stroke.

Hand-painted digital art from Bengaluru — Approved by the tribe
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Varun N Rao

Based in Bengaluru; Service available onlineStarts from ₹1,900 Per Person / Subject

Hi, I’m Varun. I’m an engineer by degree but an artist at heart, and I’ve spent years refining my digital craft. I believe art should be a direct, honest connection, so I pour that same focus I use for engineering into every single portrait I paint for you.

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A realistic digital portrait of a woman, painted with soft lighting and a focus on capturing a gentle and warm expression. This style is perfect for a classic portrait.22
The final colored version of a mother's portrait. This digital painting aims for a realistic look, capturing her graceful expression and the details of her saree.
A beautiful couple portrait created in a digital watercolor style. This technique gives the artwork a soft, blended look that is very artistic and romantic.
A couple's portrait painted with digital watercolors, shown here on paper before framing. The vibrant colors and fluid strokes are characteristic of this style.

Lifelike Digital Portraits & Paintings

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SreeniBased in Bengaluru; Available online across India
This side-by-side view shows the original reference photo and my artistic interpretation in a custom watercolor portrait.18
A promotional graphic showcasing the stylized custom watercolor portraits I offer.
A flat lay of my first self-portrait using gouache paints, showing the artwork in my sketchbook alongside the paint tubes.
A flat lay of my first self-portrait using gouache paints, showing the artwork in my sketchbook alongside the paint tubes.

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Megha VinodAvailable Online; Ships across India
This is my second attempt at a digital portrait using an oil pastel brush. I'm still figuring it out, but I'm having a blast with the messy texture and bold strokes this style allows.10
My first experiment with a digital oil pastel brush. It was a fun challenge to try a new style and medium, and I'm always excited about the process of learning and creating.
An inverted view of my first digital oil pastel experiment. Sometimes looking at a piece from a different perspective helps in the creative process.
A digital portrait practice session on my iPad. This piece is done in a monochromatic pink, focusing on smooth blending and capturing the highlights on the face.

Modern Digital Portraits & Illustrations

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Here you can see the full-length view and a close up of the commissioned Krishna digital painting. I work closely with clients to ensure every detail, from the posture to the accessories, matches their vision.17
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The final commissioned piece of Lord Krishna, holding the Sudarshana Chakra. This artwork was created digitally on Procreate for a client's special event.
A side by side comparison of the reference photo and my final digital portrait. My goal is to capture the essence of the person while adding my own artistic touch.

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