Family and group portraits: combining several photos into one painting

Can people from different photos be painted together?

Yes, and it's a common request: a grandparent who has passed away, a family member who lives abroad, or a pet added to the family picture. The result looks natural when the painter can make the light, scale and viewpoint agree.

What usually goes wrong

• Light from different directions, so one face is lit from the left and another from the right
• Mismatched scale, when one person was photographed close up and another from across the room
• Clashing clothing or settings, a winter coat next to a summer dress
• Poses that don't relate, with people looking in unconnected directions

Choosing photos with similar light and angle solves most of these before painting starts.

Choosing a size

Every face needs enough room to carry a likeness. As a practical guide, a face in a portrait shouldn't be much smaller than an egg. For three or four people, that usually means 24 × 30 in or larger; for bigger groups, go larger again.

Why the proof matters more here

In a combined portrait, the proof is where the composition is decided: who stands where, which way the light falls, how the background ties it together. Take your time with it. Changes at the proof stage cost nothing; changes after painting are much harder.