Painting subtle emotions:
Custom Watercolor Portraits
There's something about painting people, especially those eyes gazing at us, that captivates observers. With a deep passion for portraying subtle, unspoken emotions, I try to paint those fleeting moments with a bit of wonder. Commission a personalized painting today to create something personal, something you can say you were part of the creative process.
Gallery
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![Watercolor portrait of a child with brown eyes and dark hair, set against a soft, abstract background.]()
Theo
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![Watercolor portrait of a child with dark hair adorned with blue flowers, wearing traditional attire with pastel shades of green and blue.]()
Yuzu
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![Watercolor painting of a young child with short hair and a focused expression, wearing a blue shirt.]()
Ritsuto
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![Watercolor painting of two baby faces, one in blue tones and the other in warm tones, with pink flowers and abstract watercolor splashes.]()
Sisters
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![Watercolor portrait of a young child with blonde hair wearing a blue outfit, set against a background with blue drips and washes.]()
Sebastien
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![Watercolor painting of a child with colorful brush strokes.]()
Mila
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![Watercolor painting of a smiling child with curly hair, adorned with a large purple flower on the head.]()
Lea
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![Watercolor painting of a smiling child with curly hair, surrounded by colorful feathers and a small bird perched on their shoulder.]()
Samia
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![Kaide]()
Kaide
Commissions
Pricing
Portrait commissions start at $290 for a 12″ × 16″ unframed painting.
I offer three tiers depending on the level of detail and background:
Simple Portrait — $290
One main figure, minimal or abstract background.Mid-Range Portrait — $370
One figure with added detail and a more developed background.Complex Portrait — from $830
(Available from 16″ × 20″ and larger)
One figure with intricate detail and a rich composition.
Larger sizes are also available, up to 22″ × 30″, with prices adjusted accordingly:
Shipping:
All commissions ship free worldwide,
carefully packaged and sent with tracked delivery for a secure arrival.
Affordable Alternative
If you’re looking for something more accessible, I also offer Vibrant Watercolor Portraits on A4 Yupo paper for $100.
These are offered separately from my main commissions for those who want a smaller, more spontaneous piece.
Shipping is not included and will be added at checkout.
Commissioning and getting started:
For checkout purposes, I keep pricing structured as above.
If you’d like special additions (such as gold leaf, mixed media, or other custom elements), I may request an additional fee. This will always be clearly confirmed once you submit the commission request form.
You have two ways to begin:
If you already know the size and tier you’d like, you can commission a portrait directly by clicking here.
If you’d like to discuss your vision first or aren’t sure which tier is best, please complete the commission request form . I’ll reach out to confirm the details, pricing, and next steps before you commit.
Feel free to contact me with any questions or to talk through ideas — I look forward to creating something special together!
| Size | Simple | Mid-Range | Complex |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12″ × 16″ | $290 | $370 | — |
| 16″ × 20″ | $370 | $540 | $830 |
| 22″ × 30″ | $540 | $780 | $1,200 |
Prices are for unframed paintings and include complimentary worldwide tracked shipping.
Complex portraits are available from 16″ × 20″ and larger.
Testimonials from Clients
“Miwa has an amazing ability to capture unique expressions and facial features and convey emotions through watercolour. She was thorough and patient - she took the time to discuss our preferences/thoughts before embarking on a first draft. The painting is a true gift and we will treasure it forever.”
-Jun S
“I bought a drawing of Jenna Ortega from Miwa for my daughter and we both really love the picture, especially the colours and that you recognize the actrice instantly. The drawing is very accurate, but also with ease and warm colours. Many thanks for the great work.”
-Sarah Schuetz
“Despite not meeting my son in person before doing the painting, she has done phenomenal in grasping his characteristics and his facial expressions. His eyes are one of my favorite parts of his face and the most challenging to portray but the depiction is amazing. She was very thorough in collecting what types of background and painting I like and referenced them well with my son’s face.”
-Shirley Shimoda
“Miwa’s painting captured the innocence and fragility of the subjects while also depicting their strength and resilience. The eyes in particular are captivating. The use of colours is beautiful, as is the addition of floral elements. The painting is full of energy but at the same time fills the viewer with a sense of stillness and calmness.”
-Sae S
“The portrait was for my ruby wedding, the artist captured a remarkable likeness and the very essence of my husband and I. The use of colour and watercolour techniques gave it a soft fluid quality that creates an emotional response. We were thrilled with the painting and would definitely commission another one.”
-Michelle Atkinson
“Both my partner and I were very moved by the way Miwa captured our son in the painting. With only few colours, Miwa shows his features, his sensitivity and his childish curiousity. I am very happy with the result and how Miwa has approached the painting process, taking my wishes into consideration. Ultimately, I trusted her as the artist to make the right decisions for composition etc. - and that was the right call! It’s beautiful.”
-Emma Wisbech Pedersen
Own a Timeless Portrait – Order Yours Today
Each portrait is painted by hand in watercolor, using your photo as a reference.
I focus on capturing presence and feeling rather than a perfect likeness — the quiet expressions, the atmosphere, and the colors that feel true to the moment.
Every piece is unique, made with care and a touch of abstraction that leaves room for emotion and light.
Pricing & Options
Portraits are available in four sizes —12" × 16", 16" × 20", and 22" × 30" — and up to three levels of detail, depending on size:
Simple— one figure with a minimal or abstract background
Mid-Range— one figure with added detail and a more developed background
Complex— one figure with intricate detail and a rich composition(available for 16" × 20" and larger)
You’ll see the exact price once you choose the size and detail level above.
💡For full-sheet commissions (22×30”), the artwork is created on that paper size, though the live painted area is approximately 20×28” to allow for stretching and framing.
Shipping & Timing
Shipping is complimentary worldwide, with careful packaging and tracked delivery.
Process:
Booking → References & Colors Confirmed → Sketch (2 business days) → Client Approval → Painting (5–10 business days) → Shipping
🕰️ Delays in client feedback automatically extend the timeline — this ensures each piece can be painted thoughtfully and never rushed.
You can also read more about my process and past commissions here.
Not Sure Yet?
If you’d like to start small, I offer a preliminary sketch option— $20 for two watercolor sketches based on your photo.
If you decide to move forward, that amount will be credited toward your final painting.
Questions
If you’d like to talk through ideas before ordering, please fill out my Commission Request Form.
I’ll get back to you to confirm details, pricing, and next steps.
OR simply, contact me:)
Submit a commission request form to see where it leads us…
FAQ
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Yes, I create custom artwork to order.
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This will change depending on my stock stituation. Please look into the commission request form where I update this information.
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This depends on where the artwork will be presented and your preference. Although I do believe the bigger the surface for me to paint, the more energetic and emotional the brushstrokes can be.
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Yes, if you fill out the commission request form, I can provide a draft/sketch based on your reference photo for $20. This helps you decide if you like the style. The sketch fee can be deducted from the total price if you proceed with the commission.
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Yes, all original artworks are signed, and I can provide a certificate of authenticity upon request.
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I take great care in packaging my artwork to ensure it arrives safely. If your purchase arrives damaged, please contact me immediately so we can resolve the issue.
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Yes! I regularly ship original artwork both within the U.S. and internationally. All paintings are carefully packed in flat, rigid envelopes and sent via tracked courier service.
U.S. shipping is free
International shipping is a flat $35 USD
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Absolutely! I’m ALL about color.
You can specify any color preferences you have for your commissioned piece. The swatches are provided in the commission request form . -
A good reference photo should be high-quality, with clear visibility of the eyes and facial contours. An example is provided in the commission requst form.
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Yes, I can include specific elements like flowers, abstract shapes, or animals. Just let me know what you’d like in the commission request form.
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Typically, I focus on creating one subject within a painting to capture the rawness of the individual. However, if the photo is interesting and the reference photo is of high quality with great lighting, it may be possible. Please send the reference photo, and we can discuss further.
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No, I don't paint smiling faces. I love capturing subtle, unspoken emotions, which is where my passion lies. Smiling faces don't resonate with the style emotions I aim to convey in my work.
