Buying a special present for that special person can be a real problem. Perhaps you already have all the material things you both need. You may also want something really unique, which is a difficult proposition. Engraving and embroidery are very nice touches and will be greatly appreciated, but they can't add uniqueness to a present that is ultimately a standard catalog item.

If you really want your loved one to know that you've put a lot of time, effort and thought into their special occasion, there is no better way than to have something truly one of a kind created for them. The options available range from commissioning a set of cufflinks right up to building them a new home. Portraits are an excellent alternative. A portrait is a unique way of capturing someone's spirit and personality in a form that can be passed down through generations to come. This isn't an entirely unique idea and it's most likely your friends have portraits hanging in prominent locations in their homes. What then can you do to have something that captures someone's appearance and personality yet is truly unique and special? This is where a good fantasy portrait artist can be priceless.

Everyone has fantasies of living in other times or under other circumstances where the rules that constrain us do not apply. We might have a favourite celebrity, historical figure or fictional character we would like to meet. Ancestry is a very popular theme for fantasy portraits, bringing together family members from different eras. You can follow the path of someone's life through significant events, including graduating from college, marrying, fighting in battles or building a home. Their achievements at different points in their life can be depicted. However, you might want to show your loved one with something they particularly love - wolves for example, wild horses or snow leopards. They could have a passion in life, like ornithology, fast cars or gun collecting. The list really is endless and is entirely down to your own imagination and that of the portrait artist you choose.

The first thing to do is to find the fantasy portrait artist whose technique and content best appeal to you. There are many media that can be employed for your fantasy portrait, ranging from charcoal, through colored pencils, to watercolors, acrylics and oils. Digital art has opened new vistas not before possible. The most important things are to have a clear understanding of what the fantasy portrait artist needs from you and to build a relationship of mutual respect and understanding with them. This relationship could result in your commissioning further works over the course of decades. Recipients are often completely blown away by the portraits they receive as they really are unique representations of them and often encompass their hopes and dreams to an extent they have never before witnessed.

You need to take some time out to imagine how your loved one would most love to be depicted. It helps to have a piece of paper and write these things down. Your portrait artist will take this 'mind map' and take you through the creative process step-by-step. There may be sittings, or the artist could work from photographs - but these need to be of very good quality. For the best possible result and to avoid any misunderstandings, they will continue to involve you at the work at each stage, getting you to approve and sign off on changes as they are requested and made. It is important to realize that, with some media (colored pencil for instance) there are limits to the changes that can be made once elements are incorporated. With others, changes are possible, but can be time consuming and thus expensive. Communication and close cooperation are vital. It is also vital to consider how long it will take to create the piece, where the subject will want to hang it and what kind of frame will best suit it. There is no point in getting a huge portrait that they have nowhere to hang and a small portrait could well fit in a special place more easily.

I hope this has given you a lot to think about and has perhaps made it possible to find the special gift for the man or woman who has everything.