top of page
How to Commission a Portrait
From choosing your photograph to receiving your finished portrait, the commission process is simple and personal.
Step 1: Send Your Photographs
Send the photographs you would like John to work from. John will review them to make sure they have enough clear detail to create the portrait. If you have several photographs, send them all—we can help determine which will work best.
Step 2: Choose Your Portrait Details
Choose the portrait size and tell us what you would like included. We’ll discuss the subjects, background, lettering, or any special details and provide your final price before you book.
Step 3: Approve Your Quote & Reserve Your Place
Once the photographs and portrait details are approved, we’ll provide your final quote. A 50% deposit reserves your place on John’s drawing schedule. Your deposit is refundable until John begins drawing.
Step 4: John Creates Your Portrait
John will carefully hand-draw your portrait in graphite from the approved photographs. We’ll keep you updated as the portrait progresses and give you opportunities to review the artwork before it is completed.
Step 5: Receive Your Finished Portrait
Once your portrait is complete and the remaining balance is paid, we’ll arrange delivery, a public-location meetup, or shipping when needed. Your finished original will be prepared for you to enjoy, display, or give as a meaningful gift.
Ready to Begin Your Portrait?
Send us your photographs and a few details about the portrait you have in mind. We’ll review everything with you before you book.
Portrait Pricing
Original hand-drawn graphite portraits by John E. Harper, Jr.
11 × 14 — Starting at $200
14 × 17 — Starting at $300
19 × 24 — Starting at $450
Looking for a different size? Additional sizes may be available by custom quote.
Final pricing is based on the number of subjects, composition, level of detail, and reference photographs. Every portrait is reviewed and quoted individually before booking.
A 50% deposit is required to reserve your portrait. Your deposit is refundable until John begins your artwork. Once pencil is put to paper, the deposit becomes non-refundable. The remaining balance is due when the artwork is complete, before delivery or shipping.
Christmas 2026 Commissions
Book by November 15, 2026 for guaranteed Christmas completion. Availability is limited, and bookings may close earlier if John’s schedule fills.
Kind words from clients who have trusted John to create meaningful, hand-drawn portraits from their photographs.
What Clients Are Saying
“This is my husband's father, Hunter Robert Hawkins. John captured him better than any photo we have. We will cherish this forever. Thank you and God for your talents sir”
— Christie Vashinder Hawkins
“We loved it! Thank you so much 💕. It was above and beyond our expectations. We will definitely be using you again.”
— Dawn Westerman
“I was the recipient of this treasure. I cannot put into words what this means to me. Thank you so much for capturing them in such a beautiful way. This will be treasured forever. ❤️”
— Shawn Lewallen-Chin
“Highly recommend @JEHJR Artwork! He’s a local graphite portrait artist. I reached out to him to create hand-drawn portraits of all four of my fur babies. (framing I had done at Hobby Lobby)”
— Katelynn McCombs
bottom of page