Frequently Asked Questions- part one
How many burning questions do you have about Live Wedding Painting? Whether you’re looking to hire one or give it a go yourself or just want to know what everyone is raving about! In this article I’ll cover a few frequently asked questions you may have in more detail. This will discuss the general info that may be relevant across multiple artists but of course I am mostly speaking from my own experience!
What is live wedding painting, and how does it work?
Live Wedding Painting is a service where a professional live painter or artist brings their own easel and canvas with their supplies to create a painting in real-time, often a scene of the wedding at the couples request. The painter works throughout the reception creating the artwork for the couple, the service also provides entertainment for the guests as the process of painting an artwork is often mesmerising and compelling to watch. Depending on the artist's process, they may finish the painting during the celebrations or they may take the piece back to their studio for details and touch ups.
Personally I love as much detail as possible and want to ensure the painting is completely to the couples liking so I do studio work on the paintings after the wedding to give it long lasting care and varnish before it is delivered to the couples.
Why should I hire a live wedding painter for my big day?
Hiring a live wedding painter provides a unique experience for you and your guests. It’s an interactive experience of watching a custom painting come to life that features you and your loved one. It’s fascinating watching the canvas be filled with colours, details and memories. Once the painting is done you’ll have a timeless keepsake to decorate your home with forever. Knowing you’ve been a part of the process directly with the artist.
How much does live wedding painting cost?
Every artist will have their own price breakdowns. But they can vary between $2000 and $8000 with various sizes, detail, style and experience. The paintings they produce are a reflection of their experience and skill level, and are priced accordingly.
You can see my package prices here.
What’s included in a live wedding painting package?
Lots of things go into creating this experience for you. Some you may not have even thought about. You can expect the artist to take care of the organisation of the canvas, including ordering it and preparing its surface for painting. This process usually involves putting layers of gesso on and sanding lightly between layers.
You’ll have a design consultation with the artist to discuss your painting vision and how they can best capture you in your beautiful moments. The artist will then bring along the canvas, easel, paints, brushes, camera gear, and all the tools that make their process run smoothly. You can expect a personalised photoshoot with the artist to capture the right moment to paint from. And of course there's travel. An artist might include a certain distance from their studio in their packages and additional travel fees for longer distances.
packages include
Premium Canvas
High quality paints and long lasting varnish
Personalised photoshoot
Roughly 25 hours of painting
Social media content of the painting process
Customisable options.
Entertainment for your guests
50kms of travel to your venue.
How long does it take to complete a live wedding painting?
On the wedding day you may expect roughly 6-8 hours of painting time. It can vary depending on the painter's process and clients' requests. After the wedding the piece could take another few weeks to complete. The painter may have other bookings or previous paintings to get through on schedule. It’s good that the painter have sufficient breaks from painting as well to ensure they can work to a high standard and make good artistic decisions when their eyes and mind are carefully working on your piece. On average- a wedding painting may take a total of 25 hours of painting time, depending on size. The paint then needs to dry and have a layer of varnish added before being posted to the couple.
When do I receive the final painting after the wedding?
Some painters work to have your piece done by the end of the night. These pieces have a wonderful impressionistic, expressive look to them. However if you’re hiring a painter that creates more realistic looking paintings, you may need to expect they spend some more time on the painting in-studio after the wedding, having the first layer done on the night of the wedding.
This blog is the first of many so keep your eyes peeled for more.
Don’t see your question here?
Contact me and let me know so I can answer it in a future article.