Most people see live wedding painting as entertainment.
They see the easel, the crowd gathering, the brush moving quickly across the canvas. And yes — it is beautiful to witness.
But what most people do not see is the decades of outdoor painting that make that moment possible.
If someone were to ask me the best way to train as a live event painter,
my answer would not be:
“Start by painting weddings.”
It would be:
Start small.
Go outside.
Paint from life.
The Discipline of Painting on Location
When you paint outdoors, you do not control the environment.
You must:
• Design a composition within a limitless landscape
• Decide what to crop and what to leave out
• Adapt to changing light
• See true color beyond what a camera captures
I often use a viewfinder — or even my hands — to frame the scene before I begin.
That small act builds visual judgment.
And judgment is what allows a live painter to make confident decisions during a wedding.
Why This Training Matters at a Wedding
A wedding is not a studio environment.
Light shifts.
Guests move.
Time is limited.
Atmosphere cannot be paused.
Years of plein air painting along the Connecticut shoreline — including many sessions at Harkness Memorial State Park — trained me to observe quickly and commit with confidence.
When you learn to paint gardens, water, architecture, and shadow from life, you build the muscle memory necessary for painting weddings with depth and accuracy.
A Real Example: Kat & Justin at Saybrook Point Inn
That training quietly supported every brushstroke at Kat and Justin’s September wedding.
They selected a first look / first kiss pose in the garden across from the Inn — a setting layered with florals, historic architecture, distant water, and soft coastal light.
They also wanted their two dogs included — because family belongs in the story.
On the wedding day, I arrived early and set up in the garden — even after they left to prepare for the ceremony.
I sketched the full composition.
Blocked in major shapes.
Absorbed the warmth of the greens.
Observed the shadows of the buildings.
Noted the distant blue water beyond the trees.
If I had relied on a single photograph, much of that atmosphere would have been lost.
Watch the Highlight Film
Three months later, Kat shared that her guests were still talking about the painting.
Yes, live painting brings energy and excitement to a wedding.
But its purpose reaches beyond that evening.
Experience Creates an Heirloom
Experience is what gives artwork lasting value.
It is what allows a painting to feel grounded, balanced, and intentional rather than rushed.
While guests may remember the entertainment of watching the painting unfold, my responsibility goes further.
I am not creating décor for the reception.
I am creating a commissioned heirloom.
A piece that will hang in their home.
That will witness anniversaries.
That will be passed down.
It is deeply important to me that each painting is something a couple will proudly display and treasure for generations to come.
A moment preserved forever.
If you are planning a wedding along the Connecticut shoreline — or anywhere in New England — and value experience, atmosphere, and heirloom craftsmanship, I would be honored to hear about your vision.
