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.
I usually start with the background and compositional sketch before guests arrive. We’ll have a mini photoshoot for me to get reference photo of you, based on the vision we discuss during your complimentary consult. This can be before or after your ceremony. Typically it’s a meaningful moment or a unique loving pose. Alternatively, your photographer can share a few photos with me.
​
I then paint throughout the reception while your guests are mezmerized watching your heirloom slowly coming to life.
Because couples who work with me really 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. It usually takes 2-3 months, sometimes longer, to allow for oil paint to cure enough before applying a coat of varnish to protect your painting and enhance the depth of color.
Your portrait will be painted only with premium professional oil paints on gallery stretched cotton or linen canvas. I use professional grade Gamblin Gamsol odorless mineral spirits by and usually some linseed oil. For destination weddings that require air travel I use premium heavy body acrylics. The finishing protective coating is done with Gamblin Gamvar Satin Varnish.
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, 24x30, and 30x40 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 consultation.
Of course! If the drive is over an hour from my home-base of Fayetteville, AR (United States), I bill at a standard IRS rate per mile. If the venue is more than 2 hours away by car, the client must cover a rental car or provide a plane ticket. An overnight accommodation for the nnnight of the event, such a hotel room or Airbnb will be billed separately. (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, starting around $2,000. 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. I also will do my best to work with you individually to help with your 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 an electrical outlet close by and meal.