Live Guest Portraits

A watercolor paint set with various colors, a watercolor painting of four women, a photograph of four women at a social event, and a greeting card with a watercolor illustration of four women and the text 'The Drakes, June 07, 2024'.

What are Live Guest Portraits?

Live Guest Portraits are created in watercolor, gouache, and ink, and portraits can take 6-10 minutes for an individual or two guests per paper. Each illustration includes an instant film photograph and a protective sleeve. Portrait papers can be customized to fit the vibe of your event, adding an extra special touch of customization to reflect your personality! For events within driving distance of Erie, PA, a television with a live feed of me drawing in real-time is available, allowing guests to watch the illustration magic from afar.

The ultimate wedding entertainment! Guests will be thrilled to see their likeness come to life on paper in the form of a beautiful illustration. Live Guest Portraits are a fantastic form of entertainment that adds an elevated touch of elegance and luxury, and a wonderful, personalized way for guests to look back on the memories made.

Watercolor illustration of a smiling man and woman dressed in formal attire, with the text 'The Drakes' and the date 'June 07, 2024' at the bottom.
A newlywed couple at their wedding reception, standing behind a table with a guestbook, watercolor paints, and pens. The bride is holding a sketch of the couple, and they are both smiling.

The Details

When guests arrive at my portrait table, I’ll take an instant film photo of them as my drawing reference and have them write their names on it. They’re free to mingle, dance, or stay to watch their portrait come to life. The first hour is dedicated to capturing photos; the remaining time is spent illustrating.

Finished portraits are placed in protective sleeves along with their photo and set in a designated pickup area for guests to collect throughout the night. Any portraits not completed on-site will be finished in my studio, then mailed to the couple or client after the event to be gifted in thank you cards, in the mail, or by hand!

Additional live event time can be added to ensure more guests receive a bespoke, beautiful portrait during the celebration.

Hand-drawn illustration of a man and woman standing close together, smiling at each other. The man has a beard, wears a white shirt with red suspenders and beige pants. The woman has long curly hair, wears a blue dress, and has rosy cheeks. Text at the bottom right reads "Erie Zoo's Felines & Wines" with a small cat silhouette.
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A smiling woman in a red blazer holding a drawing of a man and woman in formal attire at an indoor event.
A man and woman smiling and posing together indoors, holding a small drawing or photo of themselves in a formal setting.