Frequently Asked Questions

As each portrait is handmade and made to order, the time required to complete it may vary depending on the number of people represented, the complexity of the composition and the level of detail required.

The times indicated below correspond to the time required to create the portrait, starting from the approval of your reference photograph. They do not include the shipping time, which subsequently depends on the carrier and the destination country.

1 face

3 to 5 business days after approval of the photograph.

2 faces or 1 face + landscape

5 to 8 business days after approval of the photograph.

Wedding photo

The timeframe depends on the composition and the number of people included in the portrait. After receiving your photograph, Michael will confirm the estimated time required to complete your artwork.

Important: completion times are indicative and may exceptionally vary depending on the current order volume or the particular complexity of a project. If you have a specific date to meet, please mention it when placing your order so that Michael can confirm whether the timeframe is compatible with your event.

Michael creates each portrait with great care and ships his artwork throughout France and internationally, using suitable packaging to protect your drawing during transport.

An old, slightly blurry photograph or one with limited resolution does not necessarily mean that it is impossible to create your portrait.

When the photograph does not allow certain details to be reproduced with sufficient precision, Michael automatically adapts the artistic treatment of the drawing. The portrait can then be created with a freer and more artistic interpretation, while preserving the essential characteristics of the subject as closely as possible.

This approach makes it possible to create portraits from photographs that would not contain enough detail for a strictly photorealistic result, while preserving the character and emotion of the original image.

All portraits offered on the website are created entirely by hand in charcoal on Canson Mi-Teintes 160 gsm paper, a high-quality art paper specially suited to dry techniques.

Would you prefer an acrylic or oil painting on 100% cotton canvas? This option is also available, in the format of your choice and by quotation due to the requirements of transporting the artwork. Contact us to find out more.

The price depends on the number of faces (1 face, 2 faces, 1 face + landscape or wedding photo) and the format chosen (A4, A3 or 50 × 65 cm).

Find the full details of our prices on the Prices.

Michael Wautier, portrait artist since 1986

An artist from an early age, Michael discovered his passion for drawing very young, creating comic-book sketches filled with characters and imaginary worlds.

In the 1980s, he perfected the art of live portrait drawing in Montmartre, Paris, near the Sacré-Cœur, developing an attentive and expressive eye.

He then travelled throughout Europe — particularly Belgium, France and Italy — in search of the busiest tourist areas, where he drew live portraits during the summer months. He later settled in Brussels, where he trained in Web Design, before moving to Portugal in 2001.

In 2003, he launched a website dedicated to charcoal and pastel portraits created from photographs, while continuing to draw live portraits every summer on the Costa da Caparica.

Over 30 years dedicated to charcoal, pastel, acrylic and oil portraiture — every commission is created with the same care, attention and passion as when he first began.