Prices and facts on this page were checked in September 2026.
Illustrators and artists in Malta
Dapperlance lists independent illustrators and painters in Malta, working from studios in San Ġwann and Santa Venera and elsewhere. Between them they cover hand-painted oil portraits and paintings, illustration and character design, and caricatures for weddings and events. Message any of them for free from their listing.
What does a commissioned portrait or painting cost in Malta?
A commissioned oil painting in Malta starts at about €600 for a 30 x 50 cm canvas and rises with size, to about €1,200 for 120 x 60 cm. A digital caricature drawn from a photo costs about €30. The painting figures come from a Malta oil painting studio's own price list and the caricature figures from a Malta illustrator's own online shop, both checked September 2026. Other artists quote per commission, so treat these as a guide, not a quote.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Oil painting or portrait, 30 x 50 cm | About €600 |
| Oil painting or portrait, 60 x 60 cm | About €800 |
| Oil painting or portrait, 120 x 60 cm | About €1,200 |
| Large oil painting, 2 m x 1 m to 2 m x 2 m | About €2,800 to €5,600 |
| Digital caricature from a photo, sent by email | About €30 |
| Caricature printed on an A2 poster or on canvas | About €60 to €140 |
| Live caricature artist at a wedding or event | Quoted per event, by hours booked |
Three things move the price. Size: the size guide above is close to linear for paintings, a bigger canvas means more paint and more studio hours. Medium: a digital caricature sent by email costs far less than the same drawing printed on canvas, because the print and mounting are charged on top. Format: a one-off mail order piece is priced from a list, while a live artist booked for a wedding or party is quoted per event because it depends on hours, guest numbers and travel.
How to choose an illustrator or portrait artist in Malta
Get who owns the copyright in writing, because under the Copyright Act (Cap. 415) the artist keeps copyright in a commissioned painting or illustration unless a signed written agreement assigns it to you. Article 24 of the Act states that no assignment of copyright has effect unless made in a written agreement between the parties. If you want to print the portrait on cards, use it in a book, or reproduce it beyond hanging the original on your wall, settle that in writing before paying the deposit, not after.
Ask about the process before you commit. One Malta oil painting studio's own site states it takes a 50 percent deposit once a commission is agreed and needs about two weeks to complete an oil piece, roughly a week to paint and one to two weeks to dry, with acrylic as a faster alternative. Confirm the size, the deposit amount and the delivery date in writing, and ask to see progress photos partway through for a piece this size.
Common mistakes to avoid: agreeing the size verbally instead of in centimetres, commissioning a portrait from a small or blurry photo (the painting can only be as detailed as the reference), and skipping a written rights clause, then finding you cannot use the piece on a book cover or a print run without going back to the artist.
Browse the illustrators and artists listed above and message them directly, it is free. Related categories: Graphic Design & Branding, Photography and Videography & Animation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a commissioned oil painting cost in Malta?
One Malta studio's published price list runs from about €600 for a 30x50cm canvas to about €5,600 for a 2m by 2m piece, priced mainly by size. Other Malta artists quote per commission rather than publishing a list, so treat these figures as a guide and ask for a written quote against your exact dimensions.
How much does a caricature cost in Malta?
A digital caricature drawn from a photo and sent by email starts at about €30 from a Malta illustrator's own shop, with a printed version on canvas or poster costing more for the printing and mounting. Booking a live caricature artist for a wedding or event is priced separately, quoted per event by hours and guest numbers.
Who owns a portrait or illustration I commission in Malta?
The artist keeps copyright in the finished work by default, even after you pay for it. Malta's Copyright Act only transfers copyright to you through a signed written agreement, so if you plan to reproduce or publish the piece beyond owning the original, get that agreement in writing before the commission starts.
How long does a commissioned oil painting take?
One Malta studio's own site states about two weeks for an oil piece, roughly a week to paint plus one to two weeks of drying time, with acrylic finishing faster. Larger or more detailed pieces from other artists can take longer, so ask for a delivery date when you commission the work.
Do I need to pay a deposit for a commissioned painting?
Deposits are common practice once a Malta artist agrees to take on a commission. One studio's own site states a 50 percent deposit is required before work starts, with the balance due on completion. Confirm the deposit amount, the total price and what happens if you change your mind partway through.