Live Wedding Painting FAQs
First and for most, Live Wedding Painting is an immersive experience that results in a timeless heirloom portrait painting of you and infuses your celebration with a sense of magic. The artwork is brought to life on-site during your wedding and polished in my studio.
I begin painting the background, before placing the newly weds inside the composition, based on the vision we discuss during your complimentary consult.
After the ceremony, we’ll have a mini 10-minute photoshoot for me to get reference photo of you. Typically it’s a meaningful moment or a unique glamour pose capturing the essence of your love.
Because I work in an expressive realistic style and value finest craftsmanship, accuracy, and stellar likeness, the final piece is completed in my studio after the event to ensure it receives the time and care it truly deserves.
For weddings, I set up and begin painting the background about 1-2 hours before guests arrive. I will paint through the ceremony and reception as entertainment for your guests for a total of about 6 hours.
The painting is finished at my studio post event to allow for finishing touches and several coats of varnish (protective/color enhancing coating) and a coat of UV-blocking varnish. This takes 4-8 weeks, depending on medium.
Final painting will be professionally packed and shipped to you OR a local pickup/delivery may be arranged, within around an hour driving distance.
Your portrait will be painted only with premium professional acrylic and oil paints on gallery stretched cotton or linen canvas. I use professional grade truly odorless oil paint thiner by Gamsol and linseed oil. Live oil painting is available for weddings that don't require air travel.
As a classically trained artist, I try to go above and beyond to study your unique anatomy and features. I will spend time sketching you and your better half from your socials or a few pictures you'll provide. This helps me to commit your proportions and likeness to memory, so when it comes time to perform live, I'm ready to execute to perfection.
In addition to accurately depicting the likeness I aim to capture your essence in an expressive painterly style that's beyond what any photograph can achieve. I call it Expressive Realism
I specialize in intimate, couple-only paintings that showcase your love and connection. In my experience it doesn't do justice to the additional people or the couple as it requires to reduce the scale and abstraction. The result is often skewed proportions and obscured features. If you are considering a painting featuring other people or pets, or having stylized or abstracted subjects, I may not be the right artist for you.
If your date is not available I encourage you to inquire about post event commission painting done from one of your favorite wedding photos.
Absolutely! I've worked with many people on private commission portrait paintings, including wedding portraits and would love to paint your heirloom post-event.
The paintings are finished on a stretched canvas with flat painted recto (sides), so you could potentially hang on your wall once completed. It’s up to you how and if you want to frame them. The painting does NOT need glass and should never be in any direct sunlight. Sunlight could slowly fade the intensity of the paint colors (over the course of decades). I'll be happy to advise on the frame or handle it for you with an additional fee.
Most popular sizes include 18x24, 20x30, and 24x36 inch canvas. I do offer other unique options to fit your vision. The best way to determine the best size for you would be during your free consulation.
Of course! If the drive is over an hour from my home-base of Fayetteville, AR (United States), I only ask that my gas costs be covered by the client. If the venue is more than 2 hours away by car, the client must cover a rental car or provide a plane ticket, and a hotel room for the night of the event. (with an exception of Little Rock, AR.) Travel is not included in the package price and additional fees will be calculated upon your consultation call.
Couples communicate their creative vision or specific preferences at least 2–4 weeks ahead of the wedding during our consult. Alternatively, you’re welcome to entrust me with full creative freedom to art direct your pose during our mini photoshop or paint the moment that speaks most deeply to the occasion.
Yes I do. I paint all kinds of events, weddings are just my specialty. If you are planning on a legendary experience for a birthday party, a charity function, a gala, etc., please send your inquiry to see how I can help weave some magic into your event.
I paint all weddings. My main requirement is that you are good humans and in-love.
To assure your complete peace of mind, I will coordinate all logistics directly with your wedding planner and/or venue. If known, please include your wedding planner's name/company in your inquiry to see if I have an established relationship with your wedding planner.
I require a 50% deposit upfront to secure your date and the remaining balance isn't due until 2 weeks before your wedding.
The value of your investment varies depending on size and complexity. With my background in classical painting, I take pride in delivering the finest craftsmanship in your heirloom portrait. Your specific rate is determined upon consultation. Please, kindly include the budget for your heirloom wedding portrait painting in your inquiry.
Yes, with a 25% deposit up front. There are several popular installment payment systems available and you can choose the plan that fits your budget and unique situation.
I bring all my own gear, including my easel, a light, my tripod to capture the process on video and a 10 ft extension cord. All I need is a place to get water (which is never a problem) and an electrical outlet close by.
I bring all my own gear, including my easel, a light, my tripod to capture the process on video and a 10 ft extension cord. All I need is a place to get water (which is never a problem) and an electrical outlet close by.