Live Event Painting

Based in Columbus, Ohio

Below you will find details, pricing, and package options for Live Event Painting. Please review this information before submitting an inquiry to see if my services line up with what you are looking for.

Thank you!

What is Live Event Painting?

If you have never heard of Live Event Painting or Live Wedding Painting before, it may be a bit hard to imagine at first. It is a unique entertainment and gift option for people to add that special touch to their big day.

An artist is hired to paint a scene or subject during the event, and your guests get the unforgettable experience of watching the painting process throughout the event. They can interact with the artist and take photos with the painting, as well as learn a few painting tips themselves. It is a true joy to experience fine art in this unconventional way, and is guaranteed to be a highlight of the evening!

The most popular event for Live Painters is weddings, but any big party or event can benefit from having a Live Painter. For example, a big anniversary or birthday party can have a painter capture the scene and include multiple people, decor, the food, the band, etc. in a way that a photographer may not be able to. Perhaps it’s a company event and the artist is painting a portrait of the company’s founder for a big milestone, or painting a large cityscape with the brand new headquarters that is being unveiled.

Here are some ideas of occasions that could have a Live Event Painter:

  • Wedding

  • Birthday

  • Anniversary

  • Bar/Bat Mitzvah

  • Quinceañera

  • Baby Shower

  • Holiday Party

  • Music Festival or Concert

  • Fashion Show

  • Gala or Ball

  • Business Event

  • Church Conference

  • Memorial Service

The Live Painting Process.

To start the process, you can fill out the Live Event Painting inquiry form and let me know some details about your event. I will be in touch with my Live Painting Guide, and you can choose which package and options you want. We can discuss any questions you may have, and then a signed contract and 50% deposit will book your date if it’s available.

About a month before your event we will have a phone call consultation to go over all the details. If it is a surprise for the bride and groom (or guest of honor), we will need a plan of how to keep the surprise until the moment you want it revealed. If you want to add any elements that won’t be present at the event, I will need photo references at this time. For example, a bride and groom may want to add their pet or grandparents into the painting if they are unable to attend or have passed away.

On the day of your event, I will show up 2-3 hours early to setup, get reference photos, and begin sketching in the background. I will take numerous reference photos throughout the event as needed, and we can even stage photos to make sure we get the perfect pose for the painting. Guests will be able to watch me paint during the event and are invited to take photos as the painting unfolds. A total of up to 6-7 hours of Live Painting time is included in every package, so there will be plenty of opportunity for guests to get a good look at the process.

Towards the end of the event, the bride and groom (or guest of honor) is invited to do a painting reveal! This is an exciting moment, as they are often very busy and haven’t gotten a chance to see the painting yet. You will want the photographer present, and I will be recording the moment as well.

After your event, I will take the painting home for final touches in the studio. This can be anywhere from 6 to 40+ hours of additional work on your painting, depending on how big the canvas is and how much detail I was able to get done during the event. Once finished, I will coordinate any additional items you may have ordered. This could be custom framing, prints, note cards, etc. Once everything is ready, I will either hand deliver the artwork to you (Columbus, Ohio area only), or carefully package and ship it to you. This timeline can be anywhere from 2 to 6 months after the event. While I can’t promise an exact time, please let me know if there is a certain timeframe or date that you would like your painting done by, and I will do my best to get it to you by that time.

Live Painting Packages.

All packages include high-quality, professional artist paints, supplies, and materials, preparation and planning time, 5-7 hours of on-site live event painting, additional studio hours to complete the painting as needed, a digital image of the painting to share on social media, and shipping or local hand-delivery. Each package includes the main subject and background (for instance, a bride & groom). Larger canvas sizes can accommodate more of the background and other people/pets/details you may want to add in. Additional costs may include travel and accommodations beyond 40 miles of Pataskala, Ohio, additional portraits of loved ones in the painting, and any optional add-ons that you may like, such as custom framing.

Silver Package • 11”x14” canvas • $2,000+

Gold Package • 16”x20” canvas • $2,200+

Platinum Package • 18”x24” canvas • $2,500+

Ruby Package • 22”x28” canvas • $2,800+

Sapphire Package • 24”x30” canvas • $3,200+

Emerald Package • 24”x36” canvas • $3,500+

Diamond Package • 30”x40” canvas • $4000+

Live Guest Portraits.

Live Guest Portraits are trending as entertainment and guest favors at weddings and corporate events all around the country. It is an upscale version of a caricature, with an emphasis on artistic style to fit the event. Often they are reminiscent of fashion sketches or illustrations, and can either be full-body or bust-style portraits. Artists create guest portraits in a variety of media, including watercolors, markers, and pen & ink. They can include individuals or couples, and depending on the event, I can do kids and pets as well.

Guest portraits take between 5-7 minutes each, and a couple’s portrait 10-12 minutes. I can usually do about 5-6 couples per hour, depending on how much guest interaction is happening while I am painting. I mostly do 5”x7” size watercolor portraits. Since there are a lot of factors to consider with guest portraits, please fill out the inquiry form for a custom quote.

For most weddings, pricing starts at $2,000 and is based on your guest count, so please include that in your inquiry. This package includes all-day coverage for me and my assistant (usually my husband), plus completing any unfinished guest portraits afterwards in my studio. This ensures that every guest who wants a portrait will receive one. I will deliver the finished portraits to the couple within 1-2 months (or sooner depending on my current schedule) to be dispersed to their guests. My assistant takes photos and names during the event, so each guest portrait is labeled on the back to ensure it gets to the right person.

For other events, pricing is based on an hourly rate of $250/hour with a 4 hour minimum. This would be where the guest would sit or stand in front of the artist while the portrait is being done, thus not needing a photo reference. This is ideal for smaller guest counts (less than 40) or an event where this is purely an entertainment option, not dependent on being given as a party favor for every person. This does not include any additional portraits being completed afterwards in the studio, as no photos would be taken.

If you would like a group of guest portraits done before you event, such as for place cards for your bridal party or VIP guests, these would be priced as individual mini paintings at $25 each for singles, or $45 for couples. There would need to be at least a 1 month turnaround time before the event, and I would need a clear photo of each person to be painted. Please email me to discuss further.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Where are you located, and do you travel?
I live on the east side of Columbus, Ohio and I currently will travel within 2-3 hours of Columbus, which is basically the entire state of Ohio and some border towns in surrounding states. I may consider traveling farther (within the United States) when my husband has the availability to travel with me and we can get an overnight babysitter (please fill out an inquiry or email me to check!). Travel beyond 40 miles of my home is .50 per mile round trip, and overnight accommodations may be needed on a case-by-case basis.

Can you include my loved one that has passed away in the painting?
Yes! As long as you have a reference photo that I can use (emailed ahead of time), then I can include almost anyone or anything.

Will the painting be finished at the end of the night?
The short answer is probably not. The level of completion at the end of the night will depend on the size of the canvas and the amount of detail in it. A lot of the paintings will look like they could be done, but I will need time to finish it in my studio. I am not a speed painter, and I usually have 5-8 layers of paint on my canvas before it’s done.

What happens when you finish the painting?
When I finish a painting, I will take a photo and text it to the bride or whoever my contact is. I can do a few small edits if desired, to make sure you’re happy with the final painting. Once approved, I will take the painting to a professional printer to get it scanned hi-res and get a color-matched digital file. This is paid for by me for my portfolio and kept by me in case you ever want to order prints in the future. The scanning process at the printer usually takes 7-10 business days, and then I will pick it up and bring it back to the studio to be varnished. The varnish takes another 2-3 days to fully dry. I will then text to set up local delivery, or package it up and ship via USPS for distance clients. I include tracking and insurance, so you may have to sign for your painting when it arrives.

What type of paint and canvas do you use?
I use high-quality, professional acrylic paints and mediums. The painting will get 2-3 layers of protective varnish once it is complete. All canvases are gallery-wrapped, meaning there are no exposed staples on the sides and it is ready to hang on the wall without framing if desired.

Is there anything special you need at the venue?
I will need access to electricity for my easel light, especially if the event is at night or has mood lighting in the room. If they have a small table and chair available, that would be great also. And a vendor meal is greatly appreciated!

How far out are you booking?
I generally book about 12-18 months out. Certain dates (May-June, September-October) are very popular and I can get a dozen inquiries for the same date in a matter of weeks. As soon as you book your date and venue, go ahead and submit an inquiry!

What if you are unavailable for my event? Can I still get a painting done?
Yes! If I am unavailable or your wedding has already passed, you can order a Custom Painting Commission instead. This is where I create a painting for you based on photos. The turnaround time can vary throughout the year, and may be limited at times. Please email with any questions!

What is your cancellation policy?
If for any reason you need to cancel my services or your event, any payments you have made beyond the initial deposit is refundable. You may use the deposit towards re-booking the event or towards a commissioned painting. If for any reason I need to cancel, then 100% of your money is refunded including the deposit. Full cancellation and postponement policy is in my contract for you to review before booking.

How do I care for my painting once I receive it?
All paintings will be varnished to help prevent minor scratches to the paint. If needed, you can use a microfiber cloth for dusting, or a lightly damp towel. Avoid any chemical cleaners and direct sunlight for extended periods of time. If your painting is on wood, I would not advise having it in a high humidity environment, such as a bathroom. When moving or storing the painting, put tissue paper and cardboard over the canvas and then wrap in bubble wrap or a thick cloth to prevent damage. If the canvas gets a small dent in it, you can lightly spray the back with water, rub it in, and let it dry. This will re-tighten the canvas fabric.

Next Steps.

If you haven’t already done so, please check out my painting gallery and/or my Instagram page to see more examples of my painting style. Every artist has a different style, and I want you to know what to expect. If you like what you see and want to book me for your wedding or event, please fill out my inquiry form!

Thanks so much, and I look forward to painting for you!