Top 10 Handmade Portrait Gift Ideas to Surprise Your Loved Ones

If we ask you to remember a time someone gave you a gift that made you smile or even tear up? Chances are, you will remember a story where someone handcrafted something just for you, and that struck a chord, giving you a beautiful memory to cherish and revisit. 

Handmade portraits are one of those forms of art that are brilliant gift ideas to surprise your loved ones.

In this blog, we will explore 10 Handmade Portrait gift ideas you can explore to surprise your loved ones.

1. Pencil Sketch Portraits

Pencil sketches are created using fine graphite pencils for shading, charcoal pencils for deeper darks – Thereby creating very beautiful portraits.

It’s typically made on cartridge paper by Bristol, and making pencil sketches on canvas is not feasible. 

Pencil sketch portraits are the portraits that are filled up with emotions, where artists work on detailing in the complete portrait. It is simple and elegant. Pencil sketches are the most beloved handmade portraits.

Pencil portraits make perfect gifts for birthdays or anniversaries, and they never go out of style. One of our clients gifted his wife a pencil sketch of their wedding picture, and she said it was the most heartfelt gift she had ever received. 

2. Charcoal Handmade Artwork

Charcoal portraits are tough to master, as they are delicate to handle, and require a lot of patience, and precision. 

Created using natural or compressed charcoal on various types of paper, using blending tools (like fingers, cotton swabs, or stumps) – Charcoal portraits are a piece of art. 

Our artists create it in a black and white finish, which adds a touch of drama and elegance, making it ideal for art lovers. Charcoal portraits often feel like a page taken out of history, carrying both depth and character.

If you are willing to give a gift to your loved ones on their special day, you can choose Charcoal Artwork as a gift by pre-ordering at Stoned Santa.

3. Watercolor Handmade Painting

Imagine a sheet of white paper. The first stroke of watercolor doesn’t just add color; it breathes life into emptiness. Unlike oils or acrylics, with watercolors, each brushstroke carries a little surprise. This is one of the most artistic handmade portrait ideas, perfect for someone who loves vibrant yet subtle art. 

Our artists create watercolor portrait paintings that bring a sense of calm and serenity to the eyes of the bystander. Their brushwork is smooth, and paintings are in layers. They create commissioned handmade portraits, fan art, and portraits of celebrities. There is a unique subtlety in their art that makes them different from everyone else. 

4. Acrylic Canvas Painting Handmade

One of the most popular types of contemporary art is acrylic canvas paintings, which are renowned for their brilliant hues, silky textures, and long-lasting finish. These paintings, which were made with water-based acrylic paints, exquisitely depict the feelings, facial expressions, and details that give each scene or portrait life.

Expert artists meticulously and imaginatively create each handcrafted acrylic painting, resulting in the ideal fusion of artistic expression and customization. 

This is an acrylic painting we made for a big fan of the music band – Queen. It’s made on a canvas sized 3,2 feet, and today hangs proudly in the client’s bedroom. 

5. Oil Painting Portraits 

Oil Paintings are one of the oldest forms of paintings, and has been used by the royalty – Kings, and political figures to paint themselves, and preserve their legacy through generations. 

Made with oil paints, with color pigments and a drying oil as a binder. Oil paintings are classic works that provide a look into the artist’s soul and their personality. Oil paintings look rich, traditional, and luxurious; they have an old-world charm.

They look stunning as décor pieces and make great handmade paintings for walls. We have crafted custom oil paintings for anniversaries, retirement celebrations, and even as grand wedding gifts.

One of our clients once surprised his parents with a hand-painted oil portrait of their younger days, and it now hangs proudly in their living room as the “heart of the home.”

If you are planning to gift for a milestone event, you can go with a handmade painting for wall decor, because oil portraits are not just art; they are stories preserved forever. 

6. Caricature Portraits

Caricature is fun art that is trending a lot these days. Want to add a fun twist to your portrait gift ideas? Caricatures are perfect as they are quirky, humorous, and full of personality. They are a hit for birthdays, anniversaries, or even corporate gifting. 

Caricatures typically begin with a rough sketch, highlighting those standout details, and then adding colors or shading to bring them to life. A caricature playfully shows love while still being highly personalized. It is also made live during weddings and corporate events. We have created it for a couple on the occasion of their wedding anniversary. They loved the caricature portrait so much. 

If you are also looking to gift a caricature to your loved ones, we are just a call away.

7. Couple Handmade Wall Painting

For weddings and anniversaries, nothing beats a couple handmade wall paintings. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate love and togetherness. Whether in acrylic, oil, or watercolor, this kind of handmade portrait becomes a centerpiece in any home.

At Stoned Santa, we often receive orders for handmade oil paintings of couples, especially for wedding anniversaries. Even when placed on short notice, our artists have always delivered them beautifully and on time.

8. Digital Handmade-Look Painting

Modern times call for modern gifts. Digital strokes on Photoshop, Illustrator, or Procreate help the artists bring out beautiful artwork through the digital medium, which can be later printed on paper, canvas, or any other medium of choice, even cups or T-shirts if needed.

You can get it for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or wedding gift. People these days are also giving orders for Rakshabandhan, Friendship Day, and Mother’s Day. We recently completed an order for a Marvel fan, in which our artist created Iron Man in a digital handmade look.

9. Family Portrait Handmade Painting

Family is where the heart is. A family portrait handmade painting celebrates togetherness and love. Every person in the family can be captured or painted on the canvas, making it a lifelong memory. These portraits also make beautiful walls in your home or office with handmade paintings for walls.

We collect photos of each person in the family from our client. A front-facing picture of good quality of each member is a must, as it allows our artists to analyze the facial features and accordingly paint the features of the subject. You can easily be able to complete your order by placing a family portrait at Stoned Santa. 

10. Pet Portrait Handmade Painting

For pet parents, a pet portrait handmade painting is one of the most thoughtful gifts. Pets are family, and capturing their innocence through hand paintings is truly special. Many of our clients have told us that their pet portraits now hang as the most cherished artwork in their homes.

Why Handmade Portraits Are the Best Gift for Any Occasion?

Unlike generic gifts, handmade portraits carry emotions, uniqueness, and stories. They are not just art; they are memories preserved forever. Whether hung as handmade wall paintings or gifted as keepsakes, these artworks become part of one’s life journey.

At Stoned Santa, we have worked on all these handmade portrait ideas and brought countless smiles to families, couples, and friends. Each time, the reactions remind us that art is the most personal way to say, “You matter to me.”

Make your gift unforgettable with a handmade portrait. Order your custom handmade painting today from Stoned Santa and surprise your loved ones.