When Subhashini R wanted to gift something special to her brother on his wedding day, she didn’t go for branded sneakers or a dinner set. Instead, she hired a live painter to capture his special day in real time. “The couple lives in the United States of America, and their dog couldn’t be part of the wedding in India. That gave me the idea that if a painting could include their pet, it would make it even more special,” she told indianexpress.com.
Her main requirement was an artist skilled in painting realistic facial features. After some research, she chose whARTever, a venture by artists Varshitha and Vivek. A simple phone call to discuss her vision was enough to finalise the plan.
Gone are the days when wedding memories were limited to people crowding near selfie booths and Instagram-worthy backdrops. Like Subhashini, many Indians are opting for live paintings to immortalise their big day, adding a personal, artistic touch. Encouraging homegrown artists is an added bonus.
To explore this rising trend and learn more about it, we contacted four live painters from different parts of India.
According to Varshitha and Vivek, NRI couples getting married in India are particularly drawn to live wedding paintings, having seen the trend abroad. With Indian celebrities also embracing it, the concept is only expected to grow.
Their journey into live wedding painting started as a simple practice session in their studio, using a timer to paint quickly. After sharing their work on social media, they landed their first gig from an Instagram follower. Hard work and dedication eventually led them to one of their most significant projects—capturing the wedding of content creator and actor Prajakta Koli and her husband, Vrishank Khanal.
“Live wedding painting has improved my time management skills and confidence. At first, the idea scared me––capturing the background, faces, and completing the piece in three-four hours. But once I did it, it felt really nice and motivating,” said Varshitha, @satyavarshi on Instagram.
Anna Jovita Rajam first encountered the concept of live wedding painting through videos of Western artists and was inspired to try it herself. “I got an opportunity when Eventers, a wedding event management company in my hometown of Alleppey, Kerala, invited me to create a live painting as a surprise for a groom,” she told this outlet.
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However, she soon realised that live painting comes with its own set of challenges. Changing light conditions, especially at night events, working under time constraints, and balancing guest interactions––as they love watching the piece evolve––all require practice.
“I typically use a key moment—such as the first dance—or capture the overall ambiance of the reception to create a cherished keepsake,” said Jovita. Acrylic paints, with their quick drying time, help her deliver a mess-free final product.
For Noor — @paintmewed on Instagram — a career in law felt like a recipe for life-long disappointment. The COVID-19 pandemic gave her the chance to pick up painting as a hobby, and realised she never wanted to part ways with it. Like Jovita, she too came across the concept of live painters abroad, and decided to bring it to India.
A peek inside the process
While artistic skill is essential for live painting, there is a method to this madness. Walking us through it, Noor said she usually arrives an hour before the event to start painting the background. “Usually, the bride and groom decide on a particular moment that they want to be captured on paper beforehand, and when that moment arrives, I click a bunch of pictures and use them as a reference to paint the couple. The final reveal happens at the end of the night,” she said.
All four live painters we spoke to carry their supplies, including an easel, canvas, and paints. They inform couples about the size of the canvas beforehand to set expectations. The remuneration–ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000–depends on the size of the canvas, excluding travel and accommodation expenses. While most couples give artists full creative freedom, some request specific scenes, such as the varmala ceremony or the inclusion of a pet or family member.
Does live wedding painting have a future in India?
India’s wedding industry is a booming business, supported by services like catering, makeup, hotels, venue decor, and more. While live painting is demanding, chaotic, and requires quick execution, Noor said, “With commitment and genuine love for the arts, it has the potential to become a well-established profession. If you’re painting on someone’s special day, it should come from the heart.”
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For those looking to break into this space, the experts shared some key tips:
– Practice painting under time constraints to improve speed and efficiency.
– Consistency is key—regular practice helps refine skills.
– Take up challenges to understand areas of improvement.
– Be prepared for distractions—guests will be curious, and lighting conditions will change. Stay patient and adapt.
– Share your work on social media and collaborate with event planners to get noticed.
