Capturing Love: Timeless Live Oil Portraits and Wedding Scenes

Many of my clients remark on how they received two services for the price of one: the spectacle for their guests of watching an oil painter absorbed in their craft, and the completed art work, capturing more than a camera ever could!

A wedding portrait is a tasteful way to not only represent the beautiful day you spent so long planning, but also to express the energy and feeling, from someone who was there with you from first kiss to first dance. In choosing me to memorialise your wedding, you are gaining an experienced painter with a thoughtful eye for scene building, and a timeless style that will truly do justice to your day. Not to mention an art work that will grace your home forever, evoking every highlight from your ceremony.

Every wedding I attend is unique, and calls for a tailored approach, however there are two main methods that you may wish to consider. A more detail oriented canvas, focused on individual and couple portraits, or an impressionistic scene, taking in the larger scale of the event and scenic elements.

Impressionistic Wedding Moments

This option provides me with a wonderful opportunity to paint the moment in real time, as the scene builds under my brush. Though I will typically take reference photos as a back-up, the intention is to capture the first kiss, or exchanging of rings as it happens. A softer, more ethereal painting is created, that still captures the guests and setting, but offers a dreamy vision of the precious memory. The rich oil paint forever recording a day you will never forget.

Typically, I will arrive a few hours before the ceremony or reception to begin laying down the colours, creating a beautiful backdrop. I will then position myself strategically to ensure a clear view of the couple, preparing for the moment when the magic unfolds. My ultimate goal is to create a stunning and meaningful piece of art representing the bride & groom’s chosen moment, forever preserving it in time. As the rest of your day transpires, I will move my easel to join your guests and continue to work on the portrait. This is a wonderful opportunity for your party to watch the spellbinding process as they walk past, while the painting emerges from the canvas. 

Detailed couple and individual paintings

This is an ideal choice for those who are considering larger canvases, allowing me to really capture your expressions, your settings, and the details of your day. As this approach relies on me taking reference photos at the agreed moment (exchanging rings, first kiss) sensitivity is paramount to avoid interrupting your photographers and guests. These photos allow me to preserve the intricacy and detail of the scene, so that as the day progresses I can immerse myself back into the beauty of the moment, leaving nothing to chance.

With the tableau captured, I can focus on a richly detailed portrait that celebrates the couple at a moment of intimacy and emotion. These portraits are often completed later on at my home studio, and can be posted to you once completed, ready to hang in pride of place in your home. A unique memento of the start of your married life.