Frequently Asked Questions

Every portrait is an original oil painting on canvas. The National Portrait Service does not produce prints, digital reproductions, giclée prints, or photographic facsimiles. Each commission results in one unique painting.

Canvas size is discussed during the intake process. Common sizes include 16 × 20 in., 20 × 24 in., 24 × 30 in., 30 × 40 in., 36 × 48 in., and larger. The appropriate size depends on the number of subjects, the complexity of the composition, and the intended display location. We are happy to advise.

Yes. During intake, you may indicate compositional references, stylistic preferences, and examples you find appropriate. The Service will communicate your preferences to the assigned artist. While the artist works within the conventions of formal portraiture, stylistic guidance is welcome and considered.

Framing is available and may be discussed during intake. Some clients prefer to select framing locally to match existing décor. Unframed portraits are delivered on stretched canvas, ready for independent framing. If framing is included in the commission, it will be specified in the intake documentation.

Submit an inquiry through the Contact page. Provide basic information about the portrait: who or what the subject is, your preferred size, and any specific requirements. A representative will review your inquiry and respond within two business days with next steps, including the issuance of your formal authorization code.

Upon acceptance of your commission, the Service issues a unique authorization code in the format NPS-##### (five digits). This code is sent to you by post on official NPS letterhead. You use this code to verify your commission, access the photo submission portal, and track the status of your record. It is the formal identifier for your commission.

Timelines vary by size and complexity. Typical ranges: small commissions (up to 20 × 24 in.) require 8–10 weeks; standard commissions (24–30 × 40 in.) require 10–14 weeks; large commissions (36 × 48 in. and above) require 12–20 weeks. These are production timelines from the point of photograph receipt. Total elapsed time from initial inquiry to delivery may be longer depending on correspondence and photograph submission.

Minor compositional adjustments may be requested at any point during production by contacting the Service. Significant changes — such as altering the number of subjects, changing the format, or substantially revising the composition — are more easily accommodated early in production. Changes requested after the underpainting stage may extend the timeline and may affect the commission terms. Contact us as early as possible if your needs change.

The archive record includes: the commission record number, the subject description, the canvas medium and dimensions, the artist's name, the date of completion, the date of delivery, and any notable provenance notations. It does not contain the physical portrait, private client contact details, or financial information. The record is the documentary identity of the commission.

A selection of records appears in the public archive on this website. Records are displayed in general terms — portrait type, medium, dimensions, year — without identifying the client unless the client has consented to public attribution. Private commissions may be publicly listed without the client's name attached.

Permanently. Records do not expire, are not deleted after a set period, and are not archived offline. A commission record from any year in the Service's history is maintained with the same permanence as one created today. This is a core commitment of the National Portrait Service.

Yes. If a portrait is sold, gifted, donated, or transferred to a new owner, the provenance record can be updated. Contact the Registrar's Office with the commission record number and the relevant transfer details. The update will be appended to the existing record with a date and notation. The original record is not altered — provenance history is additive, not overwritten.

If you have acquired a portrait that bears an NPS archive number — either on the reverse of the canvas or on an accompanying document — you may contact the Registrar's Office to confirm the record. Record numbers are in the format NPS-#####. We can confirm that the record exists and provide general information consistent with what is in the public archive.

The Service accepts four categories of commission: family portraits (multi-subject, any family size), individual portraits (single human subject), residence portraits (architectural subjects including homes, estates, and properties), and companion portraits (animal subjects). All four categories are treated with the same formal procedure and standards.

Good reference photographs are sharp, well-lit, and unobstructed. Natural light produces the most useful references for portraiture — even, diffuse light that reveals facial structure and expression without harsh shadows. Photographs taken outdoors in shade, or indoors near a large window, tend to work well. Multiple photographs from slightly different angles and distances give the artist more to work with than a single image.

Yes. Historical and archival photographs are a valid and often meaningful basis for a portrait commission. The artist will work from whatever material is provided. If older photographs are the primary reference, please share as many as are available — different ages, angles, and settings all help the artist understand the subject. The Service has experience working with period photographs and understands the particular considerations they present.