About live painter and courtroom artist Renée van den Kerkhof

Hi there! I capture important moments in works of art. 

I enjoy games where you build things, wear dresses with patterns and pockets, make bad puns. I have autism, I am quite short for a Dutch person, I am an active member of the Dutch Labour Party, I like (vegetarian) sushi, would rather drink an icetea than wine. Together with my partner, I try to raise a dog. In vain. My pronouns are she/her.

I'm quite a calm person, working in the back, until you put on ABBA or ask questions about dinosaurs ;)

​​1991 born in Susteren (province of Limburg, the Netherlands)
2012 bachelor Literary Sciences 
    University of Leiden
2015 bachelor Design
    major Illustration
    AKV|St.Joost in Breda
Since September 2016 I've worked as a courtroom sketch artist for several Dutch media outlets.
Since October 2018, I've captured several hundrend weddings live on canvas.

​Visit my LinkedIn for a more elaborate curriculum vitae.

The calm she exudes, her knowledge, and her eye for detail truly complete the experience. But she's more than just a painter; she's a sweet, attentive and dedicated person. A wonderful, friendly, and warm person who's a joy to be around. Partly thanks to her, the day was perfect.  ~T&R

Photo by Ilse van den Dungen

Renée created a painting of a portion of our ceremony. I can't think of anyone who's as good as her job as Renée! She sits quietly in the room, engaging with all the guests who stopped by to take a look. A few hours later, the painting was finished and boy, was it beautiful! We're so thrilled with it, it's a wonderful addition to out special day. ~W&R

Clients and collaborations

I love working with colourful wedding couples who make bold choices, that reflect who they are. All loves, cultures and body types are celebrated here.

​Affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce (since 2014), the BNO (Beroepsorganisatie Nederlandse Ontwerpers, Dutch Association of Designers), the NVJ (Dutch organisation of journalists) and Pictoright. Together with my German colleague Odilia I've founded the platform Event Painters Europe.

A selection of my corporate clients: PvdA (Dutch labour party), de SER, NS (Dutch Railways), Talpa, het Algemeen Dagblad, De Volkskrant, RTL, Omroep Brabant, ANP, Nu.nl, FNV, Het Financieele Dagblad, Leergeld Nederland, TNO, De Vonk, UNHCR, Kompass, Wageningen University&Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, TU Delft, de HAN, VELT | Samen eco-actief, Stichting Homeplan, Museum Teylers, Museum Rotterdam, NVVE, Gemeente Rotterdam, Gemeente Kapelle, Gemeente Breda. 

Giving back

I plant trees for every sold painting each year. Since 2018 I've been able to donate 229 trees. I also support the Make a Wedding Wish Foundation by contributing as a vendor.

Featured in / on

I'm always happy to chat about all things live painting or courtroom sketching. Over the years, several media outlets (like newspapers, television shows, blogs, platforms) have featured my work, or have even interviewed me. You can find an overview on my Dutch page about these publications.

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Expos & Talks

23 November 2023: talk about niches and dreams with Oomph in Breda

17 February 2023: talk 'Van prentjes naar centjes' at 'Voorbij het zwarte gat' (event for starting illustrators), in Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam

June 2022 - present: Helmen Vol Verhalen (Helmets full with stories), traveling group expo of this veteran and artist project. At (among other locations): the Airsbase Deelen in Arnhem, Memory Museum Nijverdal, Johan Willem Friso base in Assen, Gouvernement in Maastricht

17 - 25 October 2020: Re-Value, virtual expo with Driving Dutch Design on the Dutch Design Week

28 September - 24 November 2019: Inktspot, travelling expo with the drawings from the Inktspot Reward longlist. At the Central Libraries of The Hague and Amsterdam, and the Limburgs Museum in Venlo, and other places

3 - 20 September 2019: exhibition 75 Years of Freedom, at the Library in Uden

10 September 2019: In Living Memory, talk about Vergeet de vrijheid niet during Past:Forward, conference by Erfgoed Brabant

14 February 2019: lecture 'Starting your own illustration business' at the art academy in Breda

25 September 2018: Pechakucha about courtroom drawing, at Pier 15 in Breda

6 - 15 July 2018: Torenkamer Expo, at VondelCS in Amsterdam

30 March - 1 April 2018: Beach ball art expo, at Paaspop in Schijndel

11 December 2016 - 1 February 2017: Strips! goes Inktober 2016 ​at Strips! museum in Rotterdam

2 - 6 July 2016: Ga Terug Naar Start at AKV|St.Joost in Breda

28 - 29 March 2015: Nachtcultuur at Bibliotheek Het Groene Hart in Woerden

28 - 30 October 2014: LEVEL UP at Electron in Breda

3 - 7 September 2014: BUT Film Festival at Nieuwe Veste in Breda

27 March 2014: Morabeza: de ongrijpbare Kaapverdiaanse identiteit at Kriterion in Rotterdam

24 January 2014: De vrouw die de honden eten gaf at Uitgeverij De Geus in Breda

24 April - 30 May 2013: Wedstrijd Koningspaar at Gemeentehuis in Echt

22 - 24 March 2013: Ontmoet me at Electron in Breda

​14 October - 4 November 2011: Echt-Susteren in Beeld at Gemeentehuis in Echt

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