Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about live wedding painting
So you know what to expect when you're booking me as a live painter to capture your big day.
Are you available on our wedding date?
I'd be happy to check! Contact me and I will let you know within two business days whether I'm available. Most clients book me between half a year - a year and a half in advance, before their wedding date. Usually, I don't have lastminute spots available.
For popular wedding dates (Fridays and Saturdays in summer), it is advised to inquire well ahead of time for a greater chance that I'm available. For some specific dates, I get 5 - 10 inquiries. So be sure to pin my examples on your Pinterest inspiration board, but also check my availability in advance! Your date is booked and confirmed after payment of the retainer.
For popular wedding dates (Fridays and Saturdays in summer), it is advised to inquire well ahead of time for a greater chance that I'm available. For some specific dates, I get 5 - 10 inquiries. So be sure to pin my examples on your Pinterest inspiration board, but also check my availability in advance! Your date is booked and confirmed after payment of the retainer.
What if you're unavailable for our big day?
Ah, that's unfortunate. I would have loved to join you on your big day. Three options are:
a) I can make a commissioned wedding painting for you in the studio. Afterwards, based on one or two professional photo(s), with the photographer's permission.
b) You request to be noted as a back-up booking, on the cancellation list. I will only contact you later in case of cancellation or rescheduling of the booking already in place (this rarely happens);
c) I can think along if there is a colleague that might fit your wishes as an alternative. At short notice, however, there is only a small chance that someone else is available. Also, colleagues have their own style and prices of course.
a) I can make a commissioned wedding painting for you in the studio. Afterwards, based on one or two professional photo(s), with the photographer's permission.
b) You request to be noted as a back-up booking, on the cancellation list. I will only contact you later in case of cancellation or rescheduling of the booking already in place (this rarely happens);
c) I can think along if there is a colleague that might fit your wishes as an alternative. At short notice, however, there is only a small chance that someone else is available. Also, colleagues have their own style and prices of course.
What happens if we have to reschedule? Or if you fall ill yourself?
Hey, this is not going to happen, okay! Should a wedding unfortunately have to be rescheduled, I can always think along, see if I'm available on the new date. And I very rarely get sick, but am happy to offer a wedding photo painting should I suddenly turn out to be human ;)
Are you LGBTQIA+ friendly?
Yes! I am open to couples and polycules of all genders, preferences, cultures and body types. Queer and quirky or traditional and veiled? I would gladly come paint your love.
Who are you? How would you describe your style?
With me, you get a beautiful impression, with a focus on the portraits of the wedding couple. The painting can be quite realistic. Sometimes, my style can be a bit quicker or expressive. I learn a lot from how lights and shadows work.
I graduated from Art Academy St. Joost (2015) in Breda, the Netherlands. See the about-page for more info on me. I am one of the very few courtroom sketch artists in the Netherlands, so painting portraits that really look like you, under a time pressure, is one of my specialities. My paintings won't be cartoony with thick outlines or a graphic vibe. When I'm painting lovely trees and backgrounds, I feel a bit like Bob Ross.
The wedding couples on my paintings are the focal points, with more details and contrast than the rest of the elements. I'd like to make a valuable, detailed memento of your day.
I graduated from Art Academy St. Joost (2015) in Breda, the Netherlands. See the about-page for more info on me. I am one of the very few courtroom sketch artists in the Netherlands, so painting portraits that really look like you, under a time pressure, is one of my specialities. My paintings won't be cartoony with thick outlines or a graphic vibe. When I'm painting lovely trees and backgrounds, I feel a bit like Bob Ross.
The wedding couples on my paintings are the focal points, with more details and contrast than the rest of the elements. I'd like to make a valuable, detailed memento of your day.
Can we add our dog to the painting? She is important to us but won't be there
Haha, sure, don't forget to send me a picture and I will include her. Or your horse or cats ;)
With painting, I can include (or remove) certain elements. For example, you can honour a recent lost loved one by having them added.
With painting, I can include (or remove) certain elements. For example, you can honour a recent lost loved one by having them added.
What should we arrange for the day, what do you expect from us?
We schedule a meeting at two to four weeks prior to the wedding, where we can go over all the practical points together, like the planning, parking, who I can check-in with, who takes care of the painting at the end of the evening, etcetera. No worries.
The most important thing is that the venue (or planner) knows I am coming, and that there are a few square meters for me to work with. Ideally somewhere where I don't get in anybody's way, that I have some space to move around, a place where my easel can remain for the entire day.
I can be featured in a prominent spot, or stay a bit more in the background, whatever you'd prefer. When it's raining, I like to work under a roof or tent, and in bright sunlight I prefer to paint in the shade. Please, please, don't plan my workspace on the dance floor.
In terms of food: is a vegan meal an option with your caterer? Please let me know if it's better if I bring my own food otherwise. And I like to drink icetea or water (although sometimes I'm so focused that I forget to drink, haha).
I bring and wrap up all my materials myself: a wooden easel, the canvas and a large suitcase with my paints and equipment. Because of the weight of these things, it's practical if I can park nearby or if I could do some loading and unloading. If your event takes place in the evening or indoors, a nearby power socket comes in handy (for the lamp). But I can bring a long cable.
The most important thing is that the venue (or planner) knows I am coming, and that there are a few square meters for me to work with. Ideally somewhere where I don't get in anybody's way, that I have some space to move around, a place where my easel can remain for the entire day.
I can be featured in a prominent spot, or stay a bit more in the background, whatever you'd prefer. When it's raining, I like to work under a roof or tent, and in bright sunlight I prefer to paint in the shade. Please, please, don't plan my workspace on the dance floor.
In terms of food: is a vegan meal an option with your caterer? Please let me know if it's better if I bring my own food otherwise. And I like to drink icetea or water (although sometimes I'm so focused that I forget to drink, haha).
I bring and wrap up all my materials myself: a wooden easel, the canvas and a large suitcase with my paints and equipment. Because of the weight of these things, it's practical if I can park nearby or if I could do some loading and unloading. If your event takes place in the evening or indoors, a nearby power socket comes in handy (for the lamp). But I can bring a long cable.
How long does it take for you to finish our painting?
That depends on the package you choose and the planning of the day. I usually start with rough outlines and shapes and work with bigger brushes in the beginning, and adding details layer by layer, while I turn in the bigger brushes for smaller ones.
With the Same day package I paint up to 8 hours, and hand over the painting on the same night. With the Premium package I take the wedding painting back to my studio after your big day, to do touch-ups and give it lots of love and details afterwards (about extra 30-60 hours). Your wedding painting will be finished within four months.
I always like to arrive one to two hours before the chosen moment, to set up. I will also spend some time afterwards wrapping and tidying up.
With the Same day package I paint up to 8 hours, and hand over the painting on the same night. With the Premium package I take the wedding painting back to my studio after your big day, to do touch-ups and give it lots of love and details afterwards (about extra 30-60 hours). Your wedding painting will be finished within four months.
I always like to arrive one to two hours before the chosen moment, to set up. I will also spend some time afterwards wrapping and tidying up.
We are having a destination wedding somewhere else in Europe, would you paint there too?
Sure! I travel all over Europe for fun, happy, bold destination weddings, a few times each year. I am available in all European countries, like Italy, south of France, Greece, Iceland, Norway. My English is fluent (like my Dutch), and I speak French and German reasonably well.
How would it work in terms of payment?
All pricing is in euros. In order to secure your date and for me to be able to prepare for your big day, there's a retainer. You will receive a payment link for easy processing, and the invoice with the confirmation. The remaining balance will be due when the painting is finished.
How much does a live painting cost?
A rough indication: pricing for live wedding paintings varies, from 1700 up to 10.000 for those that are looking for a statement piece. The exact investment depends on:
- where you're getting married
- the canvas size
- how long I paint (so how detailled the painting can be)
Find info on my offers for weddings:
- In the Netherlands and Belgium
- In other European countries
I update the packages each year.
If you're just looking for "a" painter, and preferably the cheapest, we're probably not a good fit. My clients choose my work because of the style and amount of details, because they can see the differences with other portfolios, or they specifically want me personally at their wedding.
- where you're getting married
- the canvas size
- how long I paint (so how detailled the painting can be)
Find info on my offers for weddings:
- In the Netherlands and Belgium
- In other European countries
I update the packages each year.
If you're just looking for "a" painter, and preferably the cheapest, we're probably not a good fit. My clients choose my work because of the style and amount of details, because they can see the differences with other portfolios, or they specifically want me personally at their wedding.
Do we have to pose for a long time?
Haha, you got plenty to do during your big day, right?
The moments of your choice (for example, exchanging the rings, the first kiss, ceremony exit) are often quite brief. Maybe ten seconds or a few minutes. I take reference photos myself, on the spot. When something is in motion (walking, dancing), I also take short video clips. I will choose a nice still frame from the video to work with. These are not professional wedding photos or videos, but purely my references to work with for the painting.
I can also join a photoshoot you're doing with the photographer (if they're okay with that), for example during the first look or golden hour.
It depends a bit on the setting and wishes whether it is convenient to pose for a while. The reference images are shot quickly, so you don't have to sit or stand still for long. It's all about enjoying your day! Some settings might require more time, for example, if you'd like to do a "dip kiss", you'd need to be able to hold that for a few seconds extra so I can get some good shots.
The moments of your choice (for example, exchanging the rings, the first kiss, ceremony exit) are often quite brief. Maybe ten seconds or a few minutes. I take reference photos myself, on the spot. When something is in motion (walking, dancing), I also take short video clips. I will choose a nice still frame from the video to work with. These are not professional wedding photos or videos, but purely my references to work with for the painting.
I can also join a photoshoot you're doing with the photographer (if they're okay with that), for example during the first look or golden hour.
It depends a bit on the setting and wishes whether it is convenient to pose for a while. The reference images are shot quickly, so you don't have to sit or stand still for long. It's all about enjoying your day! Some settings might require more time, for example, if you'd like to do a "dip kiss", you'd need to be able to hold that for a few seconds extra so I can get some good shots.
What if you spill paint? Doesn't it smell?
I use odourless acrylic paint. It's pretty much dry after 30 minutes. Under the easle (unless on grass) I put a rug or a vinyl sheet, that will catch any paint drips. No worries about that monumental castle floor or the rented decking!
In the unlikely event of something happening, I have good liability insurance. Which, by the way, I've never had to use yet.
In the unlikely event of something happening, I have good liability insurance. Which, by the way, I've never had to use yet.