Portrait Painter: What Is a Portrait Painter Called?

So, someone paints faces and figures—what do you actually call them? The basic answer is “portrait painter.” It’s simple and gets the job done. But hang around artists or browse museum labels, and you’ll see another word pop up: “portraitist.” This one sounds a bit fancier, but it means exactly the same thing—a person who makes portraits, whether on canvas, paper, or even in digital form.

If you ever find yourself at an art event or chatting with artists, using 'portrait painter' won’t make you look clueless, but pulling out 'portraitist' now and then shows you know the lingo. Most artists don’t mind either term, but if you want to sound extra sharp, ‘portraitist’ is the term art historians and critics prefer when they’re getting technical.

• What Do You Call a Portrait Painter?
• The Origin of the Term 'Portraitist'
• Other Names Used for Portrait Painters
• How to Spot a Great Portrait Artist
• Tips for Talking About Portrait Painting

What Do You Call a Portrait Painter?

The short answer: you call them a portrait painter. That's the term most people use when talking about someone who makes painted portraits of people. But it's not the only term you’ll hear floating around. There’s also “portrait artist,” which is just as common, especially if the person draws, sketches, or even works digitally instead of with paint.

Now, if you’re reading a book about art history or checking out a museum’s info sign by a fancy old painting, you’ll probably spot the word “portraitist.” It’s just a more specific way to say “someone who paints or makes portraits,” and it’s actually been around since the early 1700s. This word gets tossed around a lot in the art world, especially when people want to sound precise.

Then there’s “painter” or “artist,” but those are pretty general. You wouldn’t call my buddy Althea one just because she doodles on napkins—“portrait painter” means someone who specializes in people, not landscapes or abstract stuff.

If you’re ever wondering which word to use, here’s a quick guide:

• Portrait painter: You want to be clear the person paints portraits, usually in oil, acrylic, or watercolor.
• Portrait artist: Works for anyone creating people’s likenesses—not just with paint, but maybe pastel, pencil, or digital tablet.
• Portraitist: A little more formal, sounds sharp when you’re talking with art experts or reading an art book.

No matter which term you use, they all point to someone whose main thing is capturing people’s faces, expressions, and personalities in art. Use the one that fits the situation, and you’ll never be off the mark.

The Origin of the Term 'Portraitist'

Ever wonder where the term 'portraitist' comes from? It's not just art world jargon—it has a real history. The word links back to the French term 'portraitiste,' which popped up in the late 1700s. But that's only part of the story. The root word, 'portrait,' goes much further back, based on the Latin word 'portrahere,' meaning 'to draw forth' or 'to reveal.' So, the idea was always about showing someone’s character or likeness, not just painting a pretty face.

By the 1800s, 'portraitist' found its way into English. It got used when art circles needed to set apart those who specialized in people’s faces from artists focused on landscapes or other subjects. If you spot old exhibition posters or catalogs, you'll often see someone labeled as a 'portraitist' to make clear: this is their niche.

These days, both 'portrait painter' and portrait artist are common, but 'portraitist' still hints at a sense of expertise, someone whose main thing is catching personality and likeness. You don’t have to be an art historian to use it—just knowing the story behind the word can make conversations about art way more interesting.

Other Names Used for Portrait Painters

This line of work has picked up a few different names over the years, and not all of them get used in everyday talk. Alongside "portrait painter," you’ll see the word "portraitist" on gallery labels or in art books. That one’s a favorite in more formal circles or if you’re reading about famous artists from history like Leonardo da Vinci or Rembrandt. But that’s not all.

Some folks call themselves "figurative artists," but be careful with this one—it just means they paint or draw human figures, not just portraits. You might also hear "portrait artist," which is basically the same thing, but sometimes includes people who do portraits in pencil, charcoal, or even digital media, not just paint.

• Portrait painter: Someone who creates portraits using paint (oil, acrylic, watercolor, etc.).
• Portraitist: Both an old-school and current term, usually more formal.
• Portrait artist: Covers those who work in any medium, not just paint.
• Figurative artist: A broader label—these folks might not focus only on faces or traditional portraits.

For some trivia, the job title "limner" used to be common in colonial America. Limners made portraits before photography took off. You almost never hear that word now, unless you're at a history museum looking at colonial art.

If you want to sound a bit more in the know, try out "portraitist"—especially if you’re discussing art at a museum or chatting with someone who’s really serious about painting. Otherwise, "portrait painter" and "portrait artist" are totally safe bets and easy for most people to understand.

How to Spot a Great Portrait Artist

You don’t need an art degree to figure out if a portrait artist is top-notch. Look at the way they handle faces and expressions—do the people in their paintings look alive? The best artists don’t just copy a photo; they grab the feeling, quirks, and personality of their subject.

• Attention to detail: Notice how they paint eyes, hands, and skin tone. A solid artist nails the basic anatomy and makes small features look real but never awkward.
• Style and technique: Do they have a style that stands out? Some artists are realistic, some are looser with their brushwork. Either way, their technique feels deliberate and under control.
• Personal connection: Great portrait painters talk to their subjects, get to know them, and it shows. You can sense a relationship in the final painting instead of a blank stare.
• Track record: Have they won any awards or gotten into competitions? Even small local shows add up, and repeat clients mean people trust their work.
• Feedback and reputation: Check for online reviews, testimonials, or buzz. If people keep talking about how much a painting feels like "them," you’re looking at someone good.

Quality work will have a mix of both skill and personality. To give you an idea, here are some factors people usually notice when comparing artists:

Bottom line—trust your gut, but also look for a portrait painter who ticks these boxes. A little research goes a long way in finding someone who can really nail a portrait you’ll love.

Tips for Talking About Portrait Painting

Not sure what to say when someone brings up portrait painting? You don’t need an art degree to sound knowledgeable. Here are some real-world tips I’ve picked up.

First, call the creator a portrait painter if you want to be clear and direct. Want to sound like you know your stuff in a gallery? Swap in “portraitist” when chatting about artists from history—think Rembrandt or John Singer Sargent. But no need to be precious about it; most modern artists casually go by both.

If you want to comment on a portrait, skip “it looks real” and try talking about:

• How the artist captures personality—does the person look serious, thoughtful, playful?
• The use of light and color—are there unexpected colors in the skin or background?
• Composition—where is the head or body placed? Does it draw your eyes?
• Medium—ask if it’s oil, acrylic, watercolor, or digital. Artists love when you notice.

And if you want some stats to back up your chat, take a look at this quick table about popular portrait mediums based on a 2023 international survey of over 500 portrait painters:

If you’re unsure, don’t pretend. Artists respect genuine curiosity. Go ahead and ask, "What inspired you to use this color palette?" or "How long does a portrait like this usually take you?"

“A good portrait isn’t just about likeness—it’s about capturing a flicker of life. Sometimes, the best thing a viewer can do is notice and ask questions.” — Sandy Smith, professional portraitist interviewed by Arts & Artists Magazine

Sticking to simple, thoughtful comments makes you stand out. You can’t go wrong with, “I love how this painting brings out their character—how did you work that out?” You’ll sound more engaged and, honestly, artists remember those conversations most.