Let’s talk about live watercolor guest portraits! Seriously, this trend is blowing up in 2025, and for good reason. So, what are live watercolor guest portraits? Picture this: I show up at your wedding and paint your guests in real-time—creating mini works of art they can take home. Yep, each guest gets a custom portrait that’s painted live during your event, turning your guests into walking, talking works of art.

So, are you looking to add a touch of personalized artistry to your wedding? Live watercolor guest portraits are a unique way to create lasting memories for your guests. In this post, we'll explore:

What live watercolor guest portraits are
Why they're a hit at weddings
How the process works
Tips for incorporating them into your event

About the Artist

Hi, I'm Danison, the artist behind Bowtie & Brush. I specialize in live watercolor guest portraits, bringing a blend of elegance and fun to weddings across the West Coast and Florida. As a gay Filipino-American husband and dad, I infuse every piece with authenticity and heart, ensuring your guests feel celebrated and cherished.

Visit my about me page to get know MBTI type is!

What Are Live Watercolor Guest Portraits?

Live watercolor guest portraits are personalized fashion-style illustrations created in real time during your wedding or event. Each guest is captured in their celebration outfit with a whimsical, fashion-forward twist—think longer proportions, vibrant colors, and beautiful attention to detail. Unlike caricatures, these portraits are designed to make your guests feel elegant and stylish. It's like having a mini fashion sketch session, tailored for your favorite people.

Why Choose Live Watercolor Guest Portraits?

Personalized Art for Each Guest

This one’s pretty self-explanatory—each portrait is custom-made for your guest! From their unique hairstyle to their killer outfit, every little detail is captured. This means they leave with a one-of-a-kind piece of art that was literally made just for them. Talk about special, right?

Interactive Entertainment

Here’s where the fun really kicks in. Not only are these portraits gorgeous, but they’re also a super interactive experience! When you have the right artist (hey, that’s me), it adds an extra layer of fun to your wedding. I absolutely love chatting with your guests, complimenting their style, and hearing all about how they know and love you. It’s like a mini social event within the big event—your guests get into it!

Memorable Keepsakes

Forget the usual wedding favors that end up in a drawer. These portraits are something people actually want to keep! It’s like handing them a framed photograph, but even better because it’s a one-of-a-kind painting they got to see being created. Trust me, they’ll go home, frame it, and tag you in their Instagram posts—happens all the time!

How the Process Works

Here’s how it works: during cocktail hour and the rest of the night, I take quick photos of guests who want a portrait. No one needs to wait around; they can enjoy the party while I work! I paint portraits based on those photos and lay them out on a table for guests to grab before they head home. Pretty seamless, right?

For two people, it usually takes me about 5-7 minutes to create a portrait, meaning I can knock out around 8-10 portraits an hour. I start by sketching the guests, then move on to adding the watercolor magic, and finally, I outline everything with black ink. The final piece? Packaged in a clear sleeve to keep it safe and pristine.

Take a look Behind the Scenes: The Creation Process of Live Event Portraits!

Tips for Incorporating Live Watercolor Portraits into Your Wedding

Selecting the Right Artist

Make sure you are selecting the right artist for your style and theme. Every artist is different, so you want to do your research! Things to take into consideration include:

Photographed by Sydney Morman Photography

Do they draw faces?
Do they outline their drawings?
Do they incorporate backgrounds?
How many people can they include per portrait?
Do they do ‘realistic proportions’ or ‘fashion proportions’?

My style is minimalist and faceless. I focus on the guest’s attire, hair style/color, & skin tones. Figures are drawn with fashion proportions, which are generally longer and leaner than real life proportions. And honestly, guests LOVE this style because it makes them feel REALLY GOOD about themselves!

Logistics to Consider

Here are some practical considerations such as space, lighting, and setup.

IN SHADE OR INSIDE: For the love of your friendly artist, please place their station either inside or under shade. Especially in Florida where it gets pretty hot very quickly, it’s important to make sure your artist is in a cool environment to allow for the best service. Most artists use a tablet/phone to reference the photos taken of guests. If we’re in direct sunlight, it makes it difficult to see the screen preventing us from being able to recognize accurate colors—thus delaying the process of painting your guests.
LIGHTING: Please give us ample amount of light, if possible. And before you yell at me, yes, I know that not all venues have the best lighting—especially the moodier bars and mansions. If not, I normally bring two portable battery-powered lamps with me just in case. But natural light or ceiling lighting is always preferable!
AWAY FROM DJ/SPEAKERS: It comes as no surprise that there in an interactive element of this service. WE NEED to be able to chat with your guests—and we’d prefer not to have to be screaming or be screamed at. If we’re being placed right next to the speaker where it will be LOUD AF, we won’t be able to explain what we’re doing. We also won’t be able to chitty-chat with your guests—and that’s the fun part!
4FT to 6FT TABLE: Please give me enough space to paint. I promise that I don’t bring my full art setup from the studio, but I do need some space for my tablet, signage, watercolors, water cup, and for me to actually paint. In addition, the other half of the table is so that I can lay out the finished portraits.

“Danison painted beautiful watercolor portraits of our guests as wedding favors for our wedding. The guests absolutely loved watching him live paint the portraits and the thoughtful touches he captured of their outfits. Danison was a joy to work with, so positive and bringing happy energy into our day.” - Anissa H.

FAQs

1. How many portraits can you complete during an event?
Typically, I can create 8-10 portraits per hour, depending on the complexity and number of guests.

2. Do guests need to sit for their portraits?
Nope! I take a quick reference photo, allowing guests to continue enjoying the event while I work on their portrait.

3. What materials do you use?
I use high-quality watercolor paper and paints, ensuring each portrait is a lasting keepsake.

4. Can you accommodate large weddings?
Absolutely. For larger events, we can discuss additional time or additional portraits can be completed after the event! We take all the photos at the event and use them for reference.

5. How are the portraits presented to guests?
Each completed portrait is placed in a protective sleeve and displayed for guests to collect before they leave.

More Blogs about Live Watercolor Guest Portraits

Let’s Give Your Wedding that Final Bowtie Touch!

Live watercolor guest portraits are the newest trend captivating the wedding scene in 2025! So just imagine having a talented artist at your wedding who creates unique, hand-painted portraits of your guests in real-time. This service adds a touch of personalization, creates an interactive experience, and gives them a unique keepsake. Unlike traditional wedding favors, these portraits are meaningful souvenirs that guests will proudly display at home.

Make sure that you’re choosing the right artist for your big day! Research artists to find one whose style matches your wedding theme. Consider their drawing style, whether they do faces, use backgrounds, or prefer certain proportions. Ensure the artist has a suitable setup—preferably shaded with good lighting and away from loud speakers.

Make your wedding unforgettable with live watercolor guest portraits—a perfect blend of artistry, interaction, and personalized mementos that your guests will treasure forever!

So, are you ready to give your wedding that final bowtie touch? If so, book a free consult to discuss how we can create some art for your big day! For more info on my own style, make sure to check out my Watercolor Guest portraits page.

Follow me on Instagram for more of my recent work and behind the scenes!

Live Watercolor Wedding Guest Portraits: A Unique Keepsake for Your Big Day