The One Gift That Proves You See Them For The Hero They Are In Their Imagination.

If you're tired of giving gifts that get put in a drawer, here's the guide to giving the one they'll hang in the center of their home.

Written by Jan

Three weeks ago, Steve sent me photos of him and his partner for their anniversary portrait.


"We're both engineers who love fantasy games," he wrote. "Can you make us look like our characters but still... us?"


When I delivered the final portrait: him as a water-mage inventor, his partner as a star druid. 

 

Steve's message was short: 

 

"He couldn't speak for five minutes. Just kept staring at it."
 

That's the reaction I live for. Not the polite "oh, thank you." Not the forced smile. 

 

The moment when someone sees themselves transformed into who they've always imagined being.

Here's What Nobody Tells You About Gifting

When someone you love disappears into fantasy worlds every week, whether it's their D&D campaign, their video game, or the characters they've created—you're watching them build something deeply personal.


They're not just playing. They're creating alternate versions of themselves. Heroes with backstories. Characters they've spent hundreds of hours perfecting.


And every holiday, birthday, or anniversary, you face the same challenge: How do you acknowledge this thing that means everything to them?


Another dragon statue for the shelf? A gaming shirt they'll wear twice? More dice to add to their collection of 47 sets?


You both know these gifts miss the mark. They're trying to say "I see your passion" but they actually say "I bought the first fantasy thing I found."

Why Custom Portraits Hit Different

Last year, Katie commissioned a portrait for her husband: him with all his gaming friends who'd moved across the country.


"I can't get them all together physically," she explained. "But they still play online every week."


When he opened it on Christmas morning, Katie said he just sat there tracing each face with his finger. These weren't just characters. They were his people, captured forever in their heroic forms.

That's what happens when you give someone their own image transformed. It's not merchandise. It's not generic. It's them, seen the way they see themselves in their imagination.

 

Michael discovered this when she commissioned his wife's portrait: "She said it was exactly how she imagined herself, but could never explain."


The portrait becomes proof that you get it. That you see them. That their passion isn't silly or childish—it's worth commemorating.

Let's Address the Elephant in the Room

I know what you're thinking.
 

"I've never commissioned art before."
"What if it doesn't actually look like them?"
"How do I know this isn't another internet scam?"

 

These are the exact words from my inbox every single day. And honestly? You should be cautious.

I've seen the horror stories. Artists who disappear after payment. Portraits that look nothing like the person. The "custom" art that's clearly a filter slapped on a photo.

Sarah experienced this firsthand last year. She paid $180 for a "custom portrait" on another platform. 

 

Three weeks later, she found the exact same image being sold to others with the faces swapped out.
 

That's not what I do.

"Custom portraits" on Etsy using face-swapped templates.

How This Actually Works

Here's my process, refined over 100+ portrait transformations:


Step 1: You send photos. Regular photos. Not costumes, not professional shots. Just them being themselves.


Step 2: We talk personality. Are they bold or thoughtful? Leader or strategist? I translate personality into visual language—the confident stance, the knowing smile, the perfect details.


Step 3: You see a complete preview in 14 days. Not a rough sketch you have to imagine finished. A polished portrait where you immediately know if it feels right.


Step 4: We refine until you're excited. One client told me: "I did three revisions and couldn't be happier with the results." That's typical. We adjust until you can't wait to give it.


The whole process is collaborative. You don't need to know anything about fantasy art. You just need to know them.

The Reactions Speak for Themselves

Jan was INCREDIBLE to work with! I would 100% recommend her to anyone who wants custom art made. I asked her to turn my husband into a fantasy character and Jan was super communicative, impressively timely, and you can tell she really cares about her work. I hope some day I can come up with a reason to work with her again. Thank you so much Jan!!

-Steve M.

Verified Customer

Um, I'm not sure how to even quantify/qualify how awesome this experience was. I came to Jan with a backstory, a couple of “vibe” photos, and a pic of my husband and his pets. Jan worked with me to create exactly what I was looking for as a Father's Day gift. The picture is hanging above his Lego castle collection and looks great.

-Mary L.

Verified Customer

Fantastic job! I had a recreation of me and my husbands ESO characters. I had a bunch of requests and questions which were all answers. Wonderful picture!

-Rebecca F.

Verified Customer

This portrait turned out so much better than I ever imagined. My husband is going to love it. I would not hesitate to order another in the future!!

-Britney B.

Verified Customer

About the Investment

Let's be real about price.


A custom portrait runs $99-200 depending on complexity. That might seem like a lot compared to a $30 t-shirt.


But think about what you've already spent on gifts that didn't land:

The collectible figurine still in its box: $45

The fantasy books they haven't opened: $60

The gaming accessory they used once: $80

The decorative piece gathering dust: $35

 

Total spent on forgotten gifts: $220+
Total meaningful moments created: 0

This isn't another thing for the drawer. It's the piece they'll show everyone who visits. The gift that stays on display for years to come.

October Reality Check

Here's what I know from three years of holiday portrait rushes:


Right now, you're thinking you have time. Halloween feels far away. Thanksgiving even further. Christmas? That's ages from now.


But custom portraits aren't something you can rush. The magic happens in the details—getting the expression just right, capturing their specific energy, those perfect revisions.


I only take 15 commissions per month to maintain quality. As I write this in early October, 7 spots are already claimed.

Quick FAQ

"But I literally know nothing about their character details."


Perfect. Just send photos and tell me their personality. "She's fierce but protective" or "he's the quiet strategist type." I handle the fantasy translation. About half my clients start their message with "I don't know anything about this stuff, but..."
 

"What if it doesn't look like them?"
 

This is my promise: if that first preview doesn't immediately feel like them, you get every penny back. No partial refunds, no guilt trips.
 

"How do I know you won't just disappear?"
 

Fair question. I'm a real person (find me on Instagram @fondlyframed), with a real business, and real reviews you can verify. I send updates throughout the process. You'll hear from me within 24 hours of ordering, and receive updates as I bring your vision to life.

Your Move

If you've read this far, you're probably tired of giving gifts that miss the mark.

 

You want to see their face change from polite appreciation to genuine shock. You want them to immediately start planning where to hang it. You want the gift they're still talking about next year.

This October, you can give them something ChatGPT can't generate. Something a filter can't create. Something that requires human eyes to see who they really are and human hands to bring that vision to life.

 

Because behind every fantasy character is a real person who deserves to see themselves as the hero of their own story.

 

And behind every perfect gift is someone who cared enough to make that happen.

FondlyFramed

4.9

|

74 Reviews

Fantasy Portrait from Photo

See Your Portrait in 2 Weeks

Heroic Money-Back Guarantee

Unlimited Revisions

Proven Trust & Experience

Easy Guided Process

Check Availability

Frequently Asked Questions

What does my order include?

1) A custom hand-painted portrait

 

2) My Heroic Money Back Guarantee

3) Unlimited revisions until it's perfect

 

4) 2-week turnaround on your first concept

What if it doesn't actually look like them?

This is my biggest promise to you: if that first preview doesn't immediately feel like them, you get every penny back. No partial refunds, no guilt trips. The likeness is everything - without it, the gift fails.

How does the Money‑Back Guarantee work?

After I deliver your polished concept (in around 2 weeks), you will have 3 days to decide if the art feels right. If not, just email me, I'll refund you in full.

Once I start revisions, the guarantee ends. Simple, risk‑free, and there so you can commission with confidence.(See the full Refund Policy for the fine print.)

 

I truly believe everyone deserves to see their vision come to life. This guarantee is just my way of making sure you feel safe jumping in.

How long does this really take? I need it by [specific date].

You'll see the complete portrait preview in 14 days. Then we refine until perfect (usually 2-3 days). If you need it by a specific date, tell me upfront and there are some rush fees that can skip you to the front of the queue if neccesary.
I've never missed a birthday, anniversary, or holiday deadline. But December books fast - I can only guarantee Christmas delivery for orders placed at least 2 weeks ahead of time.

But I literally know nothing about fantasy stuff. Will this still work?

That's exactly who this is for. You don't need to know the difference between a wizard and a warlock. 

Just send photos and describe their personality ("brave but goofy" or "the strategic type"). 

I translate everything else. About 70% of my clients start their message with "I don't know anything about fantasy."

 

P.S. — I know clicking "order" for custom art feels risky. You're probably imagining horror stories about artists disappearing or delivering something completely wrong. 

 

Here's what actually happens: After you order, I'll personally reach out to walk you through everything. No confusing forms or technical terms. Just me asking simple questions like "Would you say they're more serious or playful?" 

 

In two weeks, you'll be staring at their portrait thinking, "How did she capture them so perfectly?" And if not? You get your money back. But honestly? You're going to be planning your second commission before the first one's even done.

Check Availability

Create Your "Unforgettable Gift Moment"