★★★★★
Acrylic Portrait
A spectacular portrait—we really love it. Thanks, Michael, and see you soon.
Michael Artist
Original Works
Paintings & Portraits
paintings
paintings
Each painting is a unique work of art, hand-painted in oil on canvas. From rich textures to the finest details, every brushstroke tells a story.
Paintings on canvas Wedding Painting
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Contact
Have a question or a project in mind? Write to me directly. I personally respond to every message as quickly as possible.
Send a Message →Hand-drawn charcoal portrait
Turn your photo into a work of art
Hand-painted portraits on Canson paper, shipped throughout Europe and around the world.
About Us
Michael Wautier
Biographical Note
An artist from an early age, Michael discovered his passion for drawing very young, creating comic-style sketches filled with characters and imaginary worlds.
In the 1980s, he refined the art of live portrait drawing in Montmartre, Paris, near the Sacré-Cœur, developing a keen and expressive eye.
He then traveled across Europe—especially Belgium, France, and Italy—in search of the busiest tourist areas, where he produced live portraits during holiday seasons. Later, he settled in Brussels, where he trained in Web Design, before moving to Portugal in 2001 and working for several years in the IT field.
In 2003, he launched a website dedicated to charcoal and pastel portraits created from photographs, while continuing every summer to draw live portraits on the Costa da Caparica. ( Live portrait )
Between 2014 and 2019, Michael taught painting classes in several studios located on the south bank of the Tagus River, notably in Santa Marta, Corroios, and Azeitão.
The workshops focused mainly on the human figure, with special emphasis on portraits and busts, using techniques such as charcoal, pastel, and sanguine. ( Michael as a Teacher )
At the same time, animal and landscape painting projects were also developed, using acrylic paint.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the studios were temporarily closed. However, activity resumed in 2023, continuing the artistic and educational work previously developed.
At the same time, he developed a passion for oil painting, which he has pursued with dedication, never abandoning charcoal, whose strength and expressiveness continue to inspire his work.
In the 1980s, he refined the art of live portrait drawing in Montmartre, Paris, near the Sacré-Cœur, developing a keen and expressive eye.
He then traveled across Europe—especially Belgium, France, and Italy—in search of the busiest tourist areas, where he produced live portraits during holiday seasons. Later, he settled in Brussels, where he trained in Web Design, before moving to Portugal in 2001 and working for several years in the IT field.
In 2003, he launched a website dedicated to charcoal and pastel portraits created from photographs, while continuing every summer to draw live portraits on the Costa da Caparica. ( Live portrait )
Between 2014 and 2019, Michael taught painting classes in several studios located on the south bank of the Tagus River, notably in Santa Marta, Corroios, and Azeitão.
The workshops focused mainly on the human figure, with special emphasis on portraits and busts, using techniques such as charcoal, pastel, and sanguine. ( Michael as a Teacher )
At the same time, animal and landscape painting projects were also developed, using acrylic paint.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the studios were temporarily closed. However, activity resumed in 2023, continuing the artistic and educational work previously developed.
At the same time, he developed a passion for oil painting, which he has pursued with dedication, never abandoning charcoal, whose strength and expressiveness continue to inspire his work.
Here you can commission the hand-painted portrait you desire, created from your favorite photograph.
My career in images
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Order my portrait
Order your hand-drawn portrait now !
Bring your photograph to life and turn it into a work full of emotion and personality.Every line is drawn with care, attention and passion, especially for you. A gift or keepsake that touches the heart.
Charcoal drawings hand-made by an experienced artist. Traditional artistic technique with a satisfaction guarantee. People, families, couples and pets. Order your one-of-a-kind drawing.
Since 1986, artist Michael Wautier and his studio have been creating unique charcoal drawings, entirely hand-made with care and precision. Each drawing is an original work that captures the pure beauty of black and white, deep contrasts and the emotion that only charcoal can convey.
- 100 % Handmade – Every drawing is born from the artist's hand, with no automated process
- High-Contrast Charcoal – Deep blacks and bright whites revealing every detail
- Over 30 Years of Expertise – Experience devoted to charcoal portraiture since 1986
- Eyes Full of Life – Our artistic signature that breathes soul into every portrait
What materials are used?
All portraits offered on this page are made by hand in charcoal on Canson Mi-Teintes 160 g paper, an artistic-quality paper specially suited to dry media.
Would you prefer an acrylic or oil painting on 100 % cotton canvas ? This option is also available, in the format of your choice and on quotation due to shipping constraints. Contact us to find out more.
1. Choose the type of portrait
Select the composition that best suits your project: 1 face, 2 faces, 1 face with landscape, or wedding photo. Each option is made from your reference photograph.
2. Select the format and options
Choose the format that best suits your project or your interior, from the formats offered: A4, A3, or the special 50 × 65 cm format. You can also select the various options available in the form.
3. Send your photograph
Upload your reference photograph directly from the order form. For a realistic, highly detailed result, a sharp, well-lit photo of good resolution is recommended.
No perfect photo? No problem. If your photograph has insufficient resolution, a lack of sharpness, or certain details that are hard to reproduce faithfully, Michael will naturally adapt the artistic treatment of the portrait. In that case, the drawing will be made in a more interpretive style, while preserving the subject's features, expression and personality as closely as possible.
4. Confirm your order
Once you've made your choices, add the portrait to your cart and confirm your order. Once it's received, work can begin according to the conditions stated when you ordered.
5. Creating your portrait
Michael creates every portrait entirely by hand, with the greatest care. The level of detail and artistic treatment are adapted to the quality of the reference photograph to achieve the best possible result.
When the photograph allows the facial details to be rendered precisely, the portrait is made in a realistic style. When certain details cannot be faithfully reproduced, Michael favours a more artistic interpretation, rather than inventing or forcing details that are absent from the photograph.
6. See your portrait before it ships
Once the artwork is finished, Michael sends you a scanned version of the portrait so you can see the result and share your feedback before it is shipped. This step allows any comments you may have to be taken into account, if needed, before the artwork is finalised.
7. Finalisation and balance payment
Once you've given your approval, the portrait is considered finalised. Any remaining balance, where applicable for your order, is then paid before the artwork is shipped.
8. Protection suited to transport
Your portrait is carefully protected before shipping. The drawing is covered with a sheet of tracing paper, then gently rolled and placed in a very sturdy cardboard tube, specially suited to transporting works on paper.
This packaging method is commonly used for transporting drawings and works on paper and effectively protects the portrait during shipping.
9. Tracked shipping
The package is carefully prepared to ensure optimal protection of your portrait during transport. It is then shipped by tracked registered mail.
As soon as your package is shipped, you receive your tracking number so you can follow it all the way to delivery.
As each portrait is made by hand and to order, the time needed to complete it can vary depending on the number of people depicted, the complexity of the composition and the level of detail required.
The times shown below correspond to the time needed to create the portrait, starting from approval of your reference photograph. They do not include shipping time, which then depends on the carrier and the destination country.
Charcoal portraits
Michael creates his portraits in a realistic and detailed style when the reference photograph allows the subject's features and expressions to be faithfully rendered.
1 face
3 to 5 business days after the photograph is approved.
2 faces or 1 face + landscape
5 to 8 business days after the photograph is approved.
Wedding photo
The time needed depends on the composition and the number of people in the portrait. After receiving your photograph, Michael will confirm the estimated time needed to complete your artwork.
What if my photo isn't perfect?
An old, slightly blurry photograph or one with limited resolution doesn't necessarily mean your portrait can't be made.
When the photograph doesn't allow certain details to be reproduced with sufficient precision, Michael automatically adapts the artistic treatment of the drawing. The portrait can then be made with a freer, more artistic interpretation, while preserving the subject's essential characteristics as closely as possible.
This approach makes it possible to create portraits from photographs that would not be detailed enough for a strictly photorealistic result, while retaining the character and emotion of the original image.
Once your artwork is finished, a scanned version of the portrait is sent to you so you can see the result and share your feedback before the order is finalised.
After your approval, the portrait is carefully prepared for shipping. It is protected by a sheet of tracing paper, then rolled and placed in a very sturdy cardboard tube, specially suited to transporting works on paper.
The package is shipped with tracking. As soon as it is shipped, you receive the tracking number so you can follow your portrait all the way to delivery.
Important: the stated completion times are for guidance only and may occasionally vary depending on the current order volume or the particular complexity of a project. If you have a specific date to meet, feel free to mention it when ordering so Michael can confirm whether the timeline is compatible with your event.
Michael creates every portrait with care and ships his work within France and internationally, with packaging suited to protecting your drawing during transport.
Michael Wautier, portrait artist since 1986
An artist since childhood, Michael discovered his love of drawing early on, sketching comic-book scenes filled with characters and imaginary worlds.
In the 1980s, he honed the art of live portraiture in Montmartre, Paris, near the Sacré-Cœur, developing an attentive and expressive eye.
He then travelled across Europe — notably Belgium, France and Italy — seeking out the busiest tourist areas, where he drew live portraits during the summer seasons. Later, he settled in Brussels, where he trained in Web Design, before emigrating to Portugal in 2001 and working for several years in IT.
In 2003, he launched a website dedicated to charcoal and pastel portraits made from photographs, while continuing to draw live portraits every summer at Costa da Caparica. At the same time, he developed a passion for oil painting, which he pursued with dedication, never abandoning charcoal, whose strength and expressiveness continue to inspire his work.
Between 2014 and 2019, Michael also taught painting classes in several private studios. The workshops mainly focused on the human figure, with particular emphasis on portraiture and bust work, using techniques such as acrylic, oil on canvas, charcoal, pastel and sanguine. Alongside this, animal and landscape painting work was also developed. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the workshops were temporarily closed. However, activity resumed in 2023, continuing the artistic and teaching work previously developed.
Over 30 years devoted to portraiture in charcoal, pastel, acrylic and oil — every commission is carried out with the same care, attention and passion as at the very beginning.
Free shippingin France and Europe
+30 yearsof experience
100%handmade
