Meet Rhi: Live Wedding Painter in Melbourne

“Capturing your love story, one brushstroke at a time.”

When it comes to making your wedding unforgettable, the trend of live wedding painting has taken Melbournes wedding scene by storm. While there are several artists with varying styles and techniques- Rhi, known as The Fairytale Painter, has combined the traditional art of classical oil painting to bring it to couples looking to transform their big day into a timeless work of art. With a passion for visual storytelling, and over 15 years of experience in various creative outlets, Rhi combines creativity with a unique skill set to hand-craft paintings that preserve the wedding days memories.

“I believe every love story deserves a beautiful retelling, and painting is my way of helping couples relive their most treasured moments”

The Artist Behind The Canvas

Rhi’s journey as an artist began with a fascination of rendering a person's portrait likeness with pencil and paper. It wasn’t until years later that she tried out painting for the first time as a side-gig face painter. She worked as a face painter while studying at university, where she studied animation, going onto working in the film and games industry as an animator and motion capture tracker. Once she got more used to the brush-techniques, she chose to continue painting as a hobbyist acrylic painter and advancing her skill. She enjoyed her time working in the film and games industries, but ultimately her heart was growing more towards painting. During covid she began experimenting with oil painting, and growing more in love with the classical techniques of old masters. After covid she knew she just wanted to paint. She began working as an art tutor, and as host for painting parties around Melbourne. Teaching people of all experience levels the joy of painting. In 2022 she decided to devote herself full time to the study of classical oil painting. Joining workshops and seeking out classes and teachers who could train her. She began studying under the guidance of Gregory R Smith, and Stefan Adamache. Eventually she was granted a spot in the prestigious Coterie Program at the Victorian Artists Society, graciously sponsored by the Hansen Little Foundation. Here she receives ongoing regular mentorships with even more long term artists and teachers.

She began her business as The Fairytale Painter in April 2024 as a way of combining her love for painting, and the art of storytelling. She had always had a love for weddings and romantic tales, and of course fairytales! She has had the opportunity to showcase her talent across various weddings, expos, events, demonstrations and exhibitions. 

Why Have a Live Wedding Painter?

“A wedding painting isn’t just a beautiful piece of art; it’s a tangible reminder of your special day.”

Choosing a live wedding painter like Rhi; adds an element of uniqueness and entertainment to your wedding day. Couples love watching the painting evolve in real-time, with each brushstroke bringing their special day to life. Guests are also fascinated by the process, creating a captivating experience for guests and couples alike. In a world of digital photos, videos and AI generated obscurity, a hand-painted artwork provides an intimate, one of a kind keepsake.

The lasting joy of having a custom piece of art to hang in your home. Imagine walking past your painting every day and being instantly transported back to your wedding day magic as a hand-crafted memory preserved into paint.

Most association we have with “portrait painting” comes from all those historical artworks in galleries and museums of the kings and queens throughout the world. Having the honour of a dedicated artist capture your likeness has historically been something only afforded to the exorbitantly rich. Thankfully nowadays you don’t have to be a duke to be painted, but the artform remains to be full of heartfelt dedication and long time commitment. An artist needs to know their craft, how to use their tools and materials, but most of all they need to know how to capture a person's likeness and story. This is where the unmatched experience comes in.

Rhi’s Unique Process

Rhi offers different painting packages to suit various preferences. Each package has a fairytale-inspired name, such as The Glass Slipper, The Golden Chariot and The Enchanted Castle. These packages differ in features, from the size and level of detail on the canvas. Rhi takes the time to understand each couple's vision, offering a design consultation to tailor the painting to their style and wedding theme. This extra touch is what makes her services appealing to couples looking for an experience that feels personalized and magical.

She uses a blend of her experience as an acrylic painter- to lay down the foundations of the painting sketches, and her classical oil painting to create the in-depth portraits of the couple. She uses high-quality materials to ensure each painting is archival-grade, so it lasts for generations. Rhi is also dedicated to  making each painting special by incorporating elements of the wedding venue into the scenery, the couple's color scheme and sentimental details.

“My goal is to ensure that every couple feels the magic of their wedding day every time they look at their painting. Their piece must reflect their story, energy and suit their home as their lifelong keepsake.”

The Fairytale Painter Experience

Rhi is known for her welcoming and approachable demeanour, ensuring couples feel at ease as she works on their painting. The experience isn't just about the final product- it's about the journey and the memories created during the process. Whether she’s painting a grand ballroom scene or an intimate garden ceremony, Rhi brings passion and dedication to each piece, capturing the beauty, elegance and emotional depth of the day.

“My clients’ love stories inspire every painting, and I feel so lucky to create something they can treasure forever.”

Book Rhi for Your Big Day

Ready to make your wedding day even more memorable? Connect with The Fairytale Painter today to learn more about how she can bring your wedding to life on canvas.

Whether you're getting married at a scenic vineyard, a charming garden or a classical ballroom, Rhi’s live wedding painting will ensure you have a personal keepsake that's as unique as your love story. Don’t just capture the day- let The Fairytale Painter transform it into a masterpiece you can cherish forever.

Interested in having your wedding day captured by a live painter?
Let The Fairytale Painter create a work of art that you’ll treasure forever. Book now to secure your date and make your wedding unforgettable.