Behind the Scenes: Why I Turn Down Certain Custom Portrait Orders

In traditional business logic, we are taught to say “yes” to everyone. Accept every order blindly, automate processes, and produce faster to sell more.

But when it comes to bringing a custom handmade portrait to life, I choose a different path.

I turn down a number of commissions. Not out of an artist’s whim, but out of sheer consistency. Because a portrait is not a mass-market, fast-consumption product that you order like a standard shipping parcel. It is an artwork with a soul, and that requires a proper framework.

If you are looking to create a unique surprise or offer a deeply emotional, hand-drawn gift, here is a look behind the scenes of my process: what I refuse to do in my studio, and above all, why I refuse to do it.

1. Refusing to Be an Automaton (Because Drawing Is Not a Digital Filter)

Let’s be clear: a personalized portrait is not an emotional gimmick. But the reverse is also true: as a portrait artist, I am not an automaton, nor an on-demand artificial intelligence.

Today’s world is saturated with AI image generators and photo-editing apps that execute any prompt in three clicks. We see “fake handmade” art popping up everywhere, created on digital tablets using automated filters.

In my studio, reality looks completely different:

• Here, we don’t click; we draw. Every single line is placed on paper by the strength of my own wrist.
• A human, artisanal creation. Accepting a commission does not mean blindly executing impossible demands, or putting up with a lack of respect for my work and my rates.

When you come to me, you are not buying the obedience of a machine. You are investing in my time, my traditional craftsmanship, and a framework of trust that protects us both.

2. Refusing “Disposable” and Polluting Materials

I am sometimes asked if I can print a portrait on a cheap, standard plastic canvas for express delivery. The answer is invariably no.

A custom-made portrait is meant to last. It materializes a bond, a life story, or a precious memory. Therefore, it deserves noble materials that stand the test of time. This is why I commit to using only eco-designed, local, and sustainable mediums.

When we greenlight a project together, this authenticity is channeled through three distinct artistic styles:

• The Edge (Originality Pack): The raw, sharp, and unforgiving line of a classic BIC pen, printed directly onto FSC-certified wood. For those who love bold and unconventional art.
• The Softness (Amour Pack): The intimate whisper of graphite pencil, blended with the poetry of words to capture the very essence of a gaze.
• The Boldness (Incarnation Pack): The graphic energy of alcohol markers in a comic-book/BD style, embodying your passions on organic textile (GOTS certified).

3. Refusing Haste and the “Click-and-Collect” Mentality

I do not treat orders like interchangeable, industrial parcels.

While I am highly responsive and quick in my creative process, bringing an original hand-drawn portrait to life requires incompressible human time. From receiving your project and brainstorming the composition to the final ink strokes and finishing touches, every step matters. If you need a last-minute gift delivered by tomorrow morning, I am unfortunately not the right person.

Respecting this process isn’t a waste of time; it is dedicating time to what truly matters. It is what guarantees the raw emotion of the stroke and ensures that the portrait you gift will have a genuine visual and emotional impact on the person receiving it.

What I Say a Big “YES” To

Saying no to assembly-line production and aggressive marketing allows me to say a resounding yes to projects that matter.

I say yes to people who know that their request holds emotional value—those who look for a true hand-crafted gift idea far away from industrial standards. I am always delighted to channel my efficiency into your unique stories, your unconventional custom stationery (weddings, births), or bespoke illustrations to celebrate the milestone events of your life.

If you are looking for a fast, standardized, and pixelated object in two clicks, there are thousands of options online. But if you want to celebrate the real world with responsiveness, sustainable materials, and an authentic artistic touch, then we are going to get along beautifully

Ready to take the leap for a project close to your heart?

👉 Explore my 3 custom portrait packs in detail (Originality, Amour, Incarnation) to find the one that resonates with you.

👉 Have a specific idea in mind? Contact me directly to discuss your bespoke project.

👉 To look behind the curtain and read more reflections on craftsmanship and drawing, browse through my previous blog posts.