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Writer's pictureAriel Quiroz

Live Wedding Painting: Essential FAQs and Brutal Truths.

Updated: Feb 17

The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Live Wedding Paintings and Some Brutal Truths About It

Topic

Summary

What is Live Painting?

An immersive art experience where an artist creates a painting at your event.

Do I really paint live?

Yes, the majority of the painting is created live at the event.

Can guests watch while I work?

Yes, guests are welcome to watch and interact.

What differentiates Ariel Quiroz from other live wedding painters?

Ariel works with oil paint and focuses on capturing the light, color, and emotions of the moment.

Can you travel outside of Maui?

Yes, travel expenses may be added to the cost of the live wedding painting for venues outside of Maui.

How much does a wedding painter cost?

Costs can range from $1,650 to $6,000, depending on the artist's experience and travel costs.

How long does it take to complete a wedding painting?

The usual delivery time for the completed painting is between 3 to 8 weeks after the event.

What style of wedding painting you typically do?

Ariel's style is a blend of realism, impressionism, and expressiveness.

What are the benefits of hiring a wedding painter?

Unique keepsake, entertainment, personalized art, heirloom quality, conversation starter, and gift option.

What are the drawbacks of hiring a wedding painter?

Cost, time, space, availability, and style.

How do I find a wedding painter?

Recommendations, online search, and social media platforms.

What questions should I ask a wedding painter before hiring them?

Questions about their painting style, completion time, rates, experience, and references.

What are some tips for working with a wedding painter?

Clear communication, patience, preparedness to invest, and introducing the painter to your wedding coordinator.


Oil painting of a bride and groom with their dogs painted live by Ariel Quiroz.

Aloha, I am Ariel Quiroz, a Live Wedding Painter based in beautiful Maui, Hawaii. I'm thrilled to share with you some Live Wedding Painting Essential FAQs. This rising trend is also known as Live Painting or Event Painting, On-Site Wedding Art, Live Event Artistry, or Real-Time Wedding Portraiture. It's also known as Wedding Day Art Creation, In-Person Bridal Art, or Live Celebration Painting. Regardless of the name, the concept remains the same: an artist captures one of the most important days of your life in a unique and memorable way, creating a lasting piece of art right before your eyes.

This type of performance is transforming events and weddings into unforgettable experiences. Live Wedding Painting is an exciting blend of art and entertainment, with the added bonus of a timeless piece of art to commemorate your special day. Let me answer some of the most frequently asked questions about my live painting services at events and weddings.

Live Wedding Painting Essential FAQs: What is a Live Painting?

Live Painting is an immersive art experience where I, as the artist, set up my easel at your event and create a painting right before your guests' eyes. This service is particularly popular at weddings, adding a unique touch to cocktail hours or receptions.

Do I really paint live?

Yes, I paint live! My training in Live Portraits and Plein Air equips me to quickly and efficiently capture the scene in front of me and translate it onto the canvas. While I do take a few photos to ensure I have all the visual information I need, the majority of the painting is created live at the event. Any final touches are added in my studio afterward. Learn more about the process.

Ariel Quiroz at his easel, capturing a guest portrait in real-time, as guests poses for him.
Live guest painting

Can guests watch while I work?

Guests are more than welcome to watch me work and ask questions. I enjoy interacting with guests, and many find that this interaction adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the event. It's a fantastic ice-breaker and a great way to spark conversations among guests.

What differentiates Ariel Quiroz from other live wedding painters?

I work with oil paint and consider Live Painting the favorite part of my art business. While oil paint requires more time to dry and set, the end result is a museum-quality piece of art that can be cherished for generations. The delivery time is typically 4-12 weeks post-event, with most deliveries happening around the 4-week mark.

When you hire me, you're getting a portrait-trained artist who brings a positive and expressive perspective to his work. I paint what I see and feel, focusing on the light and color in front of me, as well as the emotions and energy of the moment.


Can you travel outside of Maui?

I'm currently accepting requests for weddings and events across Hawaii, from the Big Island to Kauai (with, of course, lots of interest in Maui), and even from places like Sacramento in California, Las Vegas in Nevada, and other estates. If you're interested in my style or you don't have a local painter, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always open to travel, If your wedding venue is located outside of the island of Maui, travel expenses may be added to the cost of the live wedding painting. These fees can include transportation, accommodations if there are multiple dates required and any other related expenses.

How much does a wedding painter cost?

I understand that budgeting for your wedding is crucial. The cost of a wedding painter can fluctuate based on their experience, painting style, and the size of the artwork. On average, you might expect to invest around $2,000 for a memorable wedding painting.

The cost of Live Wedding Painting varies, ranging from $1,500 to $10,000, depending on the artist's experience and travel costs. My prices offer great value, especially considering the quality of my oil paintings. Local clients typically pay between $1,650 and $5,400, depending on their specific needs.

Remember, with a Live Painting, you're not just getting a piece of art; you're getting a unique entertainment experience that will make your event truly memorable.

How long does it take to complete a wedding painting?

The timeline for a wedding painting can vary. Factors such as the size of the artwork and my schedule can influence the completion time.

While the majority of the painting is done live at the event, the process doesn't end there.

Oil paint is a medium that requires time to dry, unlike acrylics which dry quickly, but have lower quality than oil paint. After the live event, I take the painting back to my studio to add any necessary finishing touches. This could include refining details, adjusting colors, or enhancing certain elements of the painting to ensure it accurately captures the atmosphere and emotion of your special day. The biggest is the canvas, the more detailed and accurate are the portraits and backgrounds.

Once the final touches are added, the painting needs to dry completely. This can take several weeks due to the nature of oil paint. After the painting has fully dried, I apply a varnish to protect the painting and enhance the vibrancy of the colors. The varnish itself also needs time to dry and set.

So, while the live painting is a significant part of the process, the time required for drying, finishing, and varnishing contributes to the overall timeline. This ensures that the final piece is a high-quality, durable work of art that can be cherished for generations. The usual delivery time for the completed painting is between 3 to 8 weeks after the event.

a live wedding painting by Ariel Quiroz, showcasing the vibrant colors of a Hawaiian wedding.
Hawaiian wedding

What style of wedding painting do you typically do?

There's a wide range of styles available. From traditional to contemporary and abstract, each painter brings a unique touch. Choosing a painter whose style resonates with your vision for your wedding painting is essential.

My style is deeply rooted in the beauty and uniqueness of each event I attend. I specialize in creating personalized works of art that celebrate your special day, bringing your vision to life on canvas.

My approach to live wedding painting is a blend of realism, impressionism, and expressiveness. I strive to capture the essence of your wedding day, focusing on the light, color, and emotion of the moment. My paintings are not just a visual record of the event, but a reflection of the joy, romance, and memories that make your day unique.

I work primarily with oil paints, a medium that allows for rich, vibrant colors and a depth of detail that brings each scene to life. This choice of medium also ensures that each painting is a lasting, heirloom-quality piece of art.

What are the benefits of hiring a wedding painter?

A wedding painting is a beautiful, enduring keepsake of your special day. It captures unique moments of your wedding in a way that photographs can't, preserving them in a timeless piece of art. Hiring a wedding painter like myself offers numerous benefits:

  • Unique Keepsake: A live wedding painting is a unique and lasting memento of your special day. It captures the atmosphere, the setting, and the emotions in a way that is different from photography or videography.

  • Entertainment: The process of creating the painting provides entertainment for your guests. They can watch the painting progress throughout the event, adding an extra layer of interest and engagement.

  • Personalized Art: The painting is a personalized piece of art that is specific to your wedding day. It can capture the specific moments, people, and details that are most important to you.

  • Heirloom Quality: A well-crafted wedding painting can become a family heirloom, passed down through generations. It's not just a memento of your wedding day, but a piece of art that future generations can enjoy.

  • Conversation Starter: The presence of a live painter can be a great conversation starter among guests. It's something that people often don't expect to see at a wedding, and it can make your wedding stand out in the memories of your guests.

  • Gift Option: If you're a guest, hiring a live painter can be a unique and memorable wedding gift for the couple. It's something that they're likely to appreciate and cherish.

In essence, hiring a wedding painter can add a unique, artistic element to your wedding and provide you with a beautiful, lasting reminder of your special day.

What are the drawbacks of hiring a wedding painter?

While there are many benefits to hiring a wedding painter, there are a few considerations to keep in mind.

  • Cost: Hiring a wedding painter is an investment. The cost can vary depending on the artist's experience, the size and complexity of the painting, and travel expenses if the artist is not local. It's important to budget for this when planning your wedding.

  • Time: Creating a live wedding painting doesn't end at the event. Especially when working with oil paints, the artist will need to take the painting back to their studio for finishing touches and for the paint to properly dry and set. This process can take several weeks, so you won't have the finished painting immediately after the wedding.

  • Space: The artist will need a dedicated space at your wedding venue to set up their easel and paints. This should be a location with a good view of the event but also somewhat removed so that the artist can work without interruptions.

  • Availability: Popular wedding painters can be booked out months in advance, especially during peak wedding season. It's important to plan ahead and book early to ensure your preferred artist is available on your wedding date.

  • Style: Every artist has a unique style. It's important to review the artist's portfolio to ensure their style aligns with your vision for the painting.

Remember, these potential drawbacks are part of the process and planning. With good communication and clear expectations, hiring a wedding painter can be a wonderful addition to your special day, providing a unique experience for your guests and a beautiful, lasting memento for you.


How do I find a wedding painter?

Finding a wedding painter can be as simple as asking for recommendations from wedding planners and coordinators, or conducting an online search. A simple online search for "wedding painters" along with the location of your wedding can lead you to local artists who offer this service.

Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are also great places to discover artists. Many wedding painters share their work on these platforms. You can search for hashtags like #weddingpainter , #liveeventpainting , or #livepainter to find posts related to this service.

While platforms, such as WeddingWire and The Knot are online platforms designed to assist couples in planning their weddings with a wide range of wedding vendors, they may not have a large selection of niche vendors like live wedding painters. These platforms tend to focus more on traditional wedding services like venues, caterers, photographers, and DJs. Personally, I had a poor experience with them as a vendor and I think it is a grift that provides fake leads and rips off small businesses, and sells their information to scam lists.

What questions should I ask a wedding painter before hiring them?

Before hiring a wedding painter, consider asking the following questions:

  • What is your painting style?

  • How long does it typically take you to complete a painting?

  • What are your rates?

  • Do you have experience with wedding paintings?

  • Can you provide references?

What are some tips for working with a wedding painter?

When working with a wedding painter, here are some tips:

  • Clearly communicate your vision for the painting.

  • Provide as much information as possible about your wedding.

  • Be patient, as wedding paintings can take several weeks to complete.

  • Be prepared to invest in the painting, as it's a unique piece of art that will last a lifetime.

Pro Tip:

Introduce your wedding painter to your wedding coordinator, this is crucial for several reasons:

  • Coordination of Logistics: Your wedding coordinator needs to know where the painter will set up when they will arrive and depart, and any other logistical details. This ensures that the painter's needs are included in the overall event planning and that there are no last-minute surprises.

  • Understanding the Schedule: The wedding painter needs to know the timeline of events to capture the most important moments. Your wedding coordinator can provide this information and update the painter on any changes during the event.

  • Space Requirements: A wedding painter will need a specific area to set up their easel and materials. The wedding coordinator can help identify the best location that offers a good view of the event while not obstructing the guests.

  • Integration into the Event: The wedding coordinator can help integrate the painter into the event, introducing them to guests, and explaining what they're doing. This can enhance the guests' experience and enjoyment of the live painting.

  • Communication: If any issues or questions arise during the event, the wedding coordinator will know to communicate with the painter and vice versa. This can help things run more smoothly.

In essence, the wedding coordinator and the wedding painter are both integral parts of your special day and their collaboration can help ensure that your event is a success.

I hope this article has answered your questions about live wedding painting. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. I would be delighted to discuss how I can add a unique artistic touch to your special day.



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