Cost of an handmade portrait in Nigeria range from ₦85,000 for a small pencil portrait to ₦1,000,000+ for a large-scale oil commission, and every number in between has a reason behind it.

This guide breaks down exactly what drives those prices, what the data says globally and locally, and what you should realistically budget in 2026.

What does a custom portrait cost in Nigeria?

At Beo Art Studio, pricing is structured around two primary media, pencil drawings and coloured paintings, across six size tiers.

SizePencilColoured Painting
16″×20″₦85,000₦140,000
20″×24″₦120,000₦170,000
24″×30″₦180,000₦250,000
30″×36″₦280,000₦380,000
3ft×4ft₦450,000₦600,000
4ft×6ft₦750,000₦1,000,000

Optional framing adds ₦20,000–₦40,000 depending on size and finish. These are not arbitrary figures, they reflect time, materials, skill level, and market positioning, all of which are broken down below.

Based in Lagos? See the full Lagos-specific guide including neighbourhood delivery information: Portrait Artist in Lagos — Beo Art Studio.

First: Nigerian art is a growing market, and pricing reflects that

Before we get into naira figures, it is worth understanding why portrait pricing in Nigeria is where it is, and where it is heading.

The Nigerian art and crafts market was valued at $143.5 million in 2024 and is projected to reach $254 million by 2033.1 That is not just gallery paintings sold to collectors. It includes commissions, murals, live event art, and portrait work, the kind everyday Nigerians and diaspora clients are ordering more of.

At the continental level, the trajectory is equally significant. Work by African artists now exceeds a combined annual value of $72 million, more than double the 2016 figure.2 Auction sales of works by African artists reached $70.5 million globally in 2025, a 43% increase from 2024.3

What this means practically: Nigerian artists are no longer pricing themselves against a vacuum. There is a real, growing market and pricing has followed.


How does Nigerian portrait pricing compare globally?

This is where things get interesting.

In the US and Western European market as of 2025, typical portrait price ranges are: charcoal sketches $200–$600, watercolour $500–$1,200, acrylic $800–$2,500, and oil paintings $1,500–$5,000+. Artist experience alone can add 30–100% to base rates.4

At today's exchange rate (roughly ₦1,600/$1), a US-level charcoal sketch alone would cost ₦320,000–₦960,000. A mid-range oil portrait would be ₦1.28 million to ₦4 million.

Nigerian portrait pricing sits well below these figures, not because the skill is lower, but because of purchasing power parity, local cost structures, and a market that is still maturing. For diaspora and international clients, commissioning a Nigerian artist represents genuine value. For local clients, it is a price calibrated to the Nigerian economy while reflecting real professional craft.

What actually drives the price of a portrait?

1. Size

The most straightforward factor. Larger canvases mean more surface area to render, more materials consumed, and significantly more hours. A 16″×20″ pencil portrait might take 12–18 hours. A 4ft×6ft commission can take 60–100+ hours depending on complexity.

2. Medium

Oil and acrylic work is labour-intensive and requires more expensive materials than pencil or charcoal.4 At Beo Art Studio, coloured paintings typically cost 40–70% more than pencil portraits at the same size. A 20″×24″ pencil portrait is ₦120,000; the same dimensions in colour are ₦170,000 — a 42% difference. At the 4ft×6ft tier, the gap widens to ₦250,000.

Not sure which medium is right for your commission? Read the full breakdown: Pencil vs. Oil Portrait — Which Should You Choose?

3. Complexity and number of subjects

A head-and-shoulders portrait on a plain background is very different from a full-body composition with detailed clothing, meaningful props, or an environmental setting. Background depth, fabric texture, jewellery, and multiple subjects all increase the time required. Multi-subject compositions typically add 50–75% per additional person to the base price.5

4. Urgency and timeline

Rush orders commonly add a 20–50% premium depending on availability.4 A standard commission runs 3–4 weeks. If you need it within 7–10 days for a birthday, wedding, or event, that compression has a cost.

Budget guide: what to expect at each price point

Budget What you get
₦85,000–₦150,000Entry-level pencil portrait. Clean, classic, timeless. Ideal for simple gifts and commemorations.
₦150,000–₦300,000Medium pencil or small coloured painting. Well-suited for birthdays and personal gifting.
₦300,000–₦600,000Larger portraits or detailed colour work. Suited for weddings, anniversaries, and premium gifting.
₦600,000+Large-scale oil or coloured paintings. Statement pieces for homes, offices, and corporate environments.

A note on framing

Framing is optional, but skipping it is the most common way to diminish a portrait's impact. An unframed piece looks unfinished, even a well-executed one. Framing at Beo Art Studio starts at ₦20,000 and goes up to ₦40,000 depending on size and finish. If you are gifting the portrait, include framing. It completes the presentation. For a deeper dive in our framing process see how we frame art @ beo art studio

What working with a professional Nigerian artist actually looks like

Beyond pricing, there is something more important: you get a collaborator, not just a transaction.

At the level where craft and reputation meet, commissioning a portrait means a direct conversation with the artist creating your work, someone who asks about the occasion, the relationship, what you want to feel when you look at it, and advises on size and placement based on where it will live.6 That conversation shapes the final result.

I have been working this way since 2019, painting canvases, walls, faces, and live events across Nigeria and for international clients. Every commission starts with a conversation.

Ready to commission your portrait?

Send your photo and preferred size and I will get back to you with a quote within a few hours.

Book a free consultation with Beo Art Studio →

Sources

1 Nairametrics — Top 10 art galleries in Nigeria powering $254 million crafts market (November 2025). https://nairametrics.com/2025/11/08/top-10-art-galleries-in-nigeria-powering-254-million-crafts-market/

2 ArtTactic, via Knysna-Plett Herald — The rise of contemporary African art in a global market (April 2025). https://www.knysnaplettherald.com/News/Article/National-News/the-rise-of-contemporary-african-art-in-a-global-market-202504160909

3 Artnet News — Africa's Art Market Is Shifting as Competition in the Middle East Heats Up (February 2026). https://news.artnet.com/market/africa-art-market-shift-2745718

4 Art-Classes.co.uk — Portrait Artist Rates 2025: How Much Do Portraits Cost? (October 2025). https://art-classes.co.uk/portrait-artist-rates-2025-how-much-do-portraits-cost

5 Mayflower Exhibit — Digital Art Commission Prices: What Artists Really Charge in 2024 (November 2025). https://mayflowerexhibit.org/8/digital-art-commission-prices-what-artists-really-charge-in-2024/

6 Christina Carmel — How Much Does a Custom Portrait Cost? https://artistchristinacarmel.com/blog/how-much-does-a-custom-portrait-cost