How I Created a Live Painting for a Wedding in Toulouse
M & A contacted me about a year before their wedding (you know, sometimes, couples contact me two years in advance to be sure I’ll be available!).
They were looking for a live painting for their wedding ceremony. Since they lived in Toulouse and I was in Toulon, we arranged a video call to discuss their vision for their special day.
They planned an outdoor wedding ceremony in front of Château Lavalade in Castelsarrasin, near Toulouse.
A Personalized Live Painting
The bride and groom had a precise idea of what they wanted in the painting. Of course, they wished to capture the wedding ceremony and all their guests in front of the beautiful château.
They also requested some personal touches:
- Their two adorable cats sitting near the ceremony
- A live music band
- A big, colorful surprise for their guests: a hot air balloon!
Transforming Their Vision Into Art
With all these elements, I sketched my first and only draft of the painting. M & A were immediately satisfied with it!
However, as always, the final painting would have some adjustments:
- The château would be placed further in the background
- The wedding ceremony would take center stage
- The live music band would be tucked into a corner
- And the hot air balloon? It would be even bigger!
The Live Painting on the Wedding Day
The big day arrived! I was so excited to paint live at this special wedding!
It was a sunny August day near Toulouse in Southwest France. I found a shaded spot where I had the perfect view of the château, just behind the ceremony setup.
Step 1: Sketching Before the Ceremony
Before the ceremony began, I started my preliminary drawing, outlining the château in the background and the empty chairs (since the guests hadn’t arrived yet).
Step 2: Capturing the Ceremony
As soon as the ceremony started, the atmosphere became intense! All the guests were seated and still—the perfect moment for me to sketch as many details as possible.
Step 3: Adding Special Moments
During the cocktail hour, I continued working on my sketch. Then, the big surprise was revealed: the guests discovered the hot air balloon!
Their excitement was contagious—I must admit, I would have loved to take a ride myself! It was the perfect moment to include this colorful and unique element in the painting.
Step 4: Bringing the Artwork to Life
As night approached, I began adding color to the scene.
During the evening, I kept working, and guests frequently came by to check on the progress. They loved seeing the painting take shape in real-time and were thrilled to recognize themselves on the canvas!
The Final Painting
Creating a live painting requires a lot of time and attention to detail—especially when capturing individual guests, their outfits, hair, and accessories.
For this wedding, the theme was “The Roaring Twenties,” meaning that every guest had a vintage-style outfit or accessory.
On-site, I usually paint for about 8-9 hours. If there are many people to include and an intricate background, I finalize the painting later in my studio.
And here it is—the completed live painting! It includes:
- The château in the background
- The bride and groom during their ceremony
- All the guests
- The live music band
- The hot air balloon
- And of course, their two beloved cats!
Would You Like a Live Painting for Your Wedding?
I know what you’re thinking now: I would love to have Kiara at my wedding!
But am I available for your wedding date?
There’s only one way to find out—send me a message and ask me directly!
