Begin an oil portrait brief with an example of the finished appearance you want and a clear reference of your subject. The word “oil” does not specify a single level of detail or a particular treatment of the background.
Compare brushwork at a useful scale
In the oil gallery, compare faces and backgrounds separately. Decide whether you prefer visible marks or smoother transitions in the examples. Use examples with a similar number of subjects and crop; a small face within a large scene cannot be compared directly with a close-up.
Establish what must remain recognizable
List the expression, hairstyle, clothing or pet markings you want retained. Distinguish those requirements from optional changes. If the main photograph hides a feature, add a second reference and explain its purpose instead of asking the artist to infer it.
Give the background a role
A background can preserve the setting of a photograph or leave attention on the subject. Tell the team whether a place has personal meaning. If you want a simpler background, choose the general direction using existing examples and discuss how it relates to the clothing and subject.
Confirm the practical choices
Compare oil pricing using the same size, subject count and presentation. Confirm the support, framing and delivery arrangement for your selected product; do not infer them from another painting. Follow the approval process, and use the medium comparison if you are also considering acrylic.