August 8, 2023 • 42 mins
Get ready to transform the way you view wedding artistry! Picture your favorite wedding moment captured on canvas, or your guests immortalized in personalized illustrations. Our guest, Brittany Branson, an accomplished live wedding painter, takes us behind-the-scenes, unfolding the unique world of live wedding painting and guest illustrations. She dives into the rich details of these two distinct styles, guiding us on the nuances and drawing comparisons between the two. Brittany illuminates how couples can select the best option to suit their preferences, considering elements such as canvas size, choice of an artist, and the entertainment value each brings.
Brittany's expertise and personal experiences offer an enlightening perspective on the intricate process of live wedding painting. She sheds light on how she collaborates with couples to decide on the wedding moment to eternalize on canvas. We also delve into the varying sizes of canvases available, and how to choose the right artist to meet your needs. Brittany underscores the benefits of having a live painter at your wedding, turning precious moments into lasting memories.
Providing memorable and unique experiences for your wedding guests is the icing on the cake, and Brittany's invaluable advice on this will leave you inspired. She offers tips on how to find the perfect live wedding painter, what to keep an eye out for, and how to create a personalized and efficient experience for couples with a large number of guests. Whether your heart desires a large-scale canvas painting or smaller guest illustrations, Brittany's insights will undoubtedly pave your way towards a memorable wedding that speaks volumes of artistry.
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Places to go - People to see:
Kelly's Site: http://www.kellymcwilliams.com
Kelly's Blog: https://www.kellymcwilliams.com/blog
Instagram: @kellyamcwilliams
About Kelly:
Kelly knows how incredible a well planned wedding can be. Every moment counts and every decision plays a part. Wedding planning should be fun and as easy to do as possible. Besides planning weddings, Kelly travels the globe as an industry speaker. Kelly is a Martha Stewart Top Wedding Planner & this podcast won Brides magazine and WeddingWire's best podcast.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Hello and welcome to this Versus that making wedding
decisions with Kelly McWilliams.
This podcast is for you ifyou're making a wedding decision
and want to know what toconsider before saying I do to
all the things that will makeyour wedding experience a great
one.
I'm your host, kelly McWilliams, and I'm so glad to be a part
(00:30):
of your wedding planning journey.
In each episode, you can counton me and my expert wedding
co-hosts to give you everythingit takes to make the best
decisions for the wedding thatyou're dreaming of.
I can't believe we are inseason five of this Versus that.
You guys.
I never in a million yearsthought I would still be doing
(00:53):
this podcast Like.
I started it almost on a whim,almost.
I mean, I thought about it fora year, but now we've just hit
50,000 downloads.
Are you kidding me?
It's been a long hiatus.
So if you are new to thisVersus that, first of all, thank
you for joining us.
(01:14):
I'm Kelly McWilliams, I am yourhost and every episode we do a
little play.
On which one would you choose?
The whole goal is to help youmake a decision that you're
going to be making, andsometimes we're introducing you
to new ideas, like we are onthis episode.
So on this episode I have myfriend, brittany, who I met at a
(01:39):
wedding conference severalmonths ago, and she's a live
wedding painter, and if you'venever heard of live wedding
paintings, then this isdefinitely the episode for you,
because we're going to explainthat and why you may want to
include it in your wedding, butalso, if you don't want to do a
(02:00):
painting for your home, why youmight want to instead do
illustrations of your guests.
So we'll explain what both ofthem are.
Brittany's great at explainingall this because she's been
doing it for, like, I think,nine years all over the world,
and so she was like the perfectexpert to come on as our co-host
(02:20):
for this episode.
I hope you enjoy it and I'm soexcited to bring you this whole
season.
It's so pathful of the mostincredible wedding experts.
I'm just.
I'm floored by everyone whocame and I'm so excited to share
it all with you.
So let's go ahead and getstarted with this interview with
(02:40):
Brittany Branson.
Of by Brittany, by BrittanyBranson.
That's a mouthful Okay.
Good morning, brittany.
Thank you so much for being thevery first person on season
five of this versus that, and Iknow I told you already this
(03:03):
morning before I hit record.
But just yesterday I got likethis big email saying that we
finally not finally, becauseit's shocking to me hit 50,000
downloads.
Now I know that's not a lot inthe world of podcasting, but to
me, 50,000 times people havelistened to this podcast.
(03:27):
Amazing, that's spectacular,spectacular.
I mean I don't want to hear itfrom all those fancy guys who
have five million, but yeah, Idon't have anything on us.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
No, congratulations.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Thanks, Thanks.
I'm so excited to talk to you.
The topic that we have today islive wedding painting versus
live guest illustrations.
So I think anyone tuning intothis episode is going to be like
what are you even talking about?
Because I feel like so fewpeople have been exposed to both
(04:03):
of these things and I,fortunately, have had both kind
of.
So.
I've had live wedding paintinga few times.
Live guest illustrations I havehad one time with.
It wasn't watercolor, it wasn'tlike painting, it was literal
sketching.
And then another time we hadsomeone which is very different
(04:28):
art, but cutting silhouettes.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
I love those, yeah it was really, really cool.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
It was, and I had never seen it before in person,
so I thought that was so cool.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
What's a talent I wish I had.
How fast and just how onelittle shape, one little cut
makes someone's face in sync.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
I don't think I have the eyes to see people the way
that these artists do IncredibleAn artist's eyes.
I don't know how you do it.
You're born with a talent,clearly.
Okay.
So I think it would be great,before we talk about one or the
other, If you could explain youknow kind of in detail what it
(05:08):
is that live wedding painting isand what guest illustrations
are.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Yeah, absolutely so.
First I'll start with livewedding painting and that to me
and to my friends in theindustry, when we hear that we
define it as a very traditionalcanvas painting, where it's a
single canvas, the artist iscoming on site to capture a
(05:39):
favorite wedding day moment onthat canvas.
You can go into whether theyuse acrylic or oil or whatnot,
but it's a single heirloompainting capturing a favorite
moment in time.
So that's how my brain andalways thinks of live wedding
painting versus live guestillustrations is when you're
(06:05):
bringing in an artist who willdo just that.
You know, basically, as it says, a guest comes up to their
table and the artist produces avery quick, much smaller
illustration, usually on paper,of the guest either their
silhouette, their outfit but itessentially acts as a wedding
(06:26):
day favor that the guest willtake home, versus the live
wedding painting, which is apiece that the couple themselves
will take home.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Okay, got it.
I think you described themperfectly.
Thank you.
Okay, so let's talk about whysomeone would want to do one
versus the other.
Let's start talking about thepainting first.
So the first thing that Ithought about when, as you were
describing it, is that it's amoment in time, so I assume that
(06:59):
means that prior to the weddingday, you're deciding with the
clients what part of the dayyou're painting.
Is that true?
Yes, absolutely Okay.
And is there one over anotherthat you would recommend?
What do most people do?
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Sure.
So first I'll always say thatevery artist is different, right
, Okay?
Good to know, you know, and Iwill say that in terms of the
artist's individual process, Ihave friends who thrive on
showing up the day of, and theychoose the moment of, what
(07:42):
inspires them the most andthat's an act of trust that you
know they work on with thecouple beforehand.
Obviously, the couple isn'tgoing to contract them to come
if that trust there for thatchoice isn't already established
.
So I have friends who work thatway.
Me personally, I work with theclient to find out which wedding
(08:06):
day moment is most meaningfulto them or what they would love
to hang on their wall forever.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
So that tends to like .
The most popular ones are firstkiss walking up the aisle and
first dance are usually like thetop three.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Got it, and when you do this, are you starting from
scratch, or are there thingsthat you put in place prior to
the actual wedding day that arehopeful to you as an artist or
to the couple?
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Yeah, that's actually a really great question For me.
Personally, I thrive onstarting from scratch, always
for the sake of the discoverycall.
When a client inquires, I'll,you know, look up the venues
website, maybe check out theirInstagram just to get a feel for
(09:02):
it and also just so I can helpin that brainstorming
conversation initially.
But I thrive on basicallyshowing up on the big day, not
having been in the space, seenit, and we go from there.
That, to me, is part of myentertainment factor.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
I do have artist friends who, especially if
they're coming from a moretraditional studio background
like that's how they trained andoperated they might do multiple
sessions.
Sometimes, especially if thevenue is local to them, they
will show up.
Sometimes they do pre sketches.
They basically take theirstudio process and apply it to
(09:43):
the wedding, which is also verycool.
So there's no right or wrongway to do it.
It's more, if you, if a couple,loves the artist's final work,
I would hope that they trustthat artist process.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
One of the best things about having the live
artists there.
I mean, obviously, it's reallycool that you're going to have
this painting at the end thatyou can put in your home, right,
yes, and that becomes anheirloom.
Like you know, we all look atart in museums and things like
that, and you look at homes thathave been there and established
(10:19):
in, families that have passeddown these paintings of their,
their elders and the previousgenerations for years and years,
and we can do that now withthings like this.
Absolutely, let's talk aboutthe entertainment value of
having a live wedding artistthere.
So how does that typically work?
(10:40):
Like, do do you come in and youpick a spot that's good for you
to paint from, or is it thatthe planner puts you in place in
a specific area so that you'regetting the most view?
Like, what's that?
What's the entertainment?
How does that all work?
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Yeah, excellent question and I apologize if I
keep coming back to.
Every artist is different, so Iapologize for that.
No, it's fine, it's fine.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
And you can tell me from your perspective.
Yeah, perfect.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Yeah, so for me personally, I always tell my
couples and my vendor partnersthat I personally don't allow
logistics to interfere with thepainting they ultimately want.
So that can look a fewdifferent ways.
For example, if a couple ishaving a church ceremony offsite
(11:34):
but for entertainment reasonsit makes the most sense for me
to set up at the reception venuebecause that maximizes the
amount of hours that guests willbe present to watch the
painting come to life.
I've worked with thephotographers.
I've worked with the plannerswho are on site over at the
church If they can snap sneakyreference photos for me, and I
(11:56):
work off of those over at thereception.
So the couple is still gettingthe ceremony painting they've
always wanted, but we'remaximizing the entertainment
value and not sacrificing thatpart.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
So when that happens, does that mean that let's say
you are doing that, that thecouple has chosen to have their
ceremony as the moment capturedin this painting, and so if you
aren't there because we want theentertainment to actually be at
cocktail hour or dinner orsomething like that, then the
planner or someone at theceremony takes a photograph and
(12:35):
sends it to you and then you arepainting off of an image.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Correct.
Yeah, Now, sometimes,especially if the offsite
ceremony is relatively local tothe reception space, sometimes
I'll go and attend.
You know, I'll hang out in theback of you and take my own
content because I'm takingphotos and videos for social
media purposes and everything.
So I love to do that.
(13:02):
Sometimes that's just notpossible, especially if there's
hours of gap or sometimes if theceremony site is on like a
military base and that's notalways easy for me to kind of
flip a flop in and out.
Photographers and planners,family members, have always been
amazing with helping me out interms of capturing those
(13:23):
reference images for me to workoff of.
Yeah, they just text me.
I mean I've.
Even if I can't connect withthe photographer right away,
sometimes at the receptionthey'll come up to me and I
literally just snap a photo oftheir camera.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
The back of the camera.
Yeah, oh my gosh.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
Whatever works you know, whatever it takes to get
the job done.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
What a testament to your talent, though.
Oh, thank you.
But do you find?
Do you find that it's easierfor you, though, or that the
image your painting is betterwhen you actually see it in
person?
Speaker 2 (13:54):
No, actually I'm pretty chill either way.
Okay, and this is where Ialways say it's someone else's
process.
I have friends who are veryadamant that like they have to
be there, they have to be in thesame room as the moment's
occurring, and that's totallygreat.
For me personally, the endresult and maximizing the
(14:19):
entertainment value is moreimportant to me than being a I'm
putting stickler in air quoteseveryone being a stickler for
the like my eyes on the moment.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
Okay, so in the past when I've had a live artist,
what we've done I actuallyhaven't had anyone choose a
ceremony.
Almost all of mine have been ina reception, and I think that
the reason is and you tell me ifI'm wrong at the reception
there's other key people thatyou can put into the painting.
(14:52):
Am I right?
Yes, and with that, is thatsomething where it's been a
little bit of time?
So I think I recall that Ihelped the artists to know who
were the VIPs that theypreferred to have put into the
painting at some place, correct?
Speaker 2 (15:14):
Yeah, absolutely so.
All of my paintings are customso I know going into the day
like I have my list.
If my couple wants any otherindividuals in the painting, I
have my list.
I personally do my best.
Especially what's reallyhelpful if they want parents or
(15:35):
siblings, or what not added intothe painting is the
introductions into the ballroombefore the first dance, because
the DJ is like you know,physically announcing these
people.
So I'm there and I'm takingthose reference photos.
But for me personally, I alwaystell my couples if you want all
(15:56):
of these other individuals inthe painting.
It would help me out a lot if Iwere to take it home and then
get back in touch with you,especially if you get your
professional photos back in aparticular time frame so that I
can just cross reference that Itook photos of the correct
people.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
So when you're there painting that night, you would
be painting basically the bridein the groom or the couple,
whatever you know, but whoever'sgetting married, and then their
surroundings, and then later onadding in key players.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
That's my personal process.
Now, what I will say to allcouples listening is that this
comes down to what's mostimportant to you, right?
Because I certainly have liveartists, friends, who they
thrive on the challenge ofadding in everyone and their
mother into the painting thatnight.
(16:57):
So if that wow factor isimportant to you, I would allow
that to what's the dictionaryword I'm looking for.
I would allow that to inspireyour decision in terms of the
artist you ultimately choose, ifthat makes sense, whereas for
me, I just think the types ofcouples I attract or who
(17:20):
ultimately want to work with me,that's not up high up on their
priority list.
They're actually totally coolwith me taking the painting home
because they don't want to beresponsible for it after a night
of drinking anyway, sure.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
Sure, I can't imagine .
I can't imagine In general.
Are there different sizes?
Or is it like every artist?
It's like, oh no, everyone does12 by 12 kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
Great question.
Yeah, I have seen me and myartist friends offer the gamut
of all sorts of stuff, so Ipersonally offer three.
I thrive on slightly bigger.
It's funny bigger canvasesactually allow me to work better
(18:14):
and faster, even thoughlogically that may not make much
sense.
So, especially in terms ofpricing, I'll have a lot of
couples who love the idea of alive painting but they've never
seen it, they've never comeacross it, they wouldn't know.
So I think in their brainsthey're thinking, oh, the
(18:36):
smaller the canvas equals alower price, like inches equals
to price.
But that's not the case, notfor me.
It's actually me.
Bigger helps me work faster.
However, do I have a lot ofartist friends who thrive on
smaller, like even in the 12 to16 range?
(18:58):
Absolutely.
So again, another factor toconsider when choosing the best
artist fit for you.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
Okay, I have two last questions before I move to
illustrations.
Yeah One, what is somethingthat people need to do before
they pick a live artist, becausethe number one thing that I
notice is that they're alldrastically different.
Yes, so is that?
(19:29):
How?
How should someone go aboutpicking their artist?
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Yeah, great question.
I always say two primary thingsthat always come to mind.
One is, of course, the style,because this piece is gonna be
hanging on your wall forever.
So, even though, if you as acouple, if you're in love with
the idea of having a live artist, I wanna make sure that you
(19:56):
love, you ultimately love thepainting, because the painting
is a lot harder to hide than aUSB full of your photos.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
If you hate them, you put them in a drawer.
Yes, it's gonna be a little bitmore difficult to hide away a 24
by 30 canvas if you don't loveit.
So I want you to love the style, and so that's why I always
encourage couples to don'tsettle.
Like, if you find that artistimmediately in your area, don't
(20:29):
speak to you style-wise.
I encourage you to look outside.
It's why I travel a lot.
There's not too too many of usand a lot of us do travel
because we understand that wedon't want couples to settle for
the handful of people who maybe available locally If that
(20:51):
makes sense I couldn't agreewith you more on that.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Yeah, and because I've had to go look a few times
and I don't know it's because ofwhere I'm at in the world, but
there's very few there andthey're not for everyone.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
And so.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
I think it's really important to consider.
Even if you're trying to staylocal, for something like this,
it probably is best to searchnationwide for your artists and
know that that's a very, verynormal thing.
My last question before I moveon is and maybe this isn't
(21:30):
shouldn't be a last questionMaybe this should be like the
question that leads us to thenext one.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
What.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
When it comes to entertainment value, do you find
that your guests and the coupleare more entertained by the
live wedding painting or theillustrations?
And I hate to pin one againstthe other, but I figured you're
the person to ask because you'rethe person that sees it all the
(21:58):
time.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
See, I don't even take that as pinning one against
the other.
Where I mentally go to is thatdecision ultimately speaks to
the couple's personality,because the live painting, to me
, is something for them.
Yes, you are providing yourguests the entertainment.
(22:23):
People are not gonna dance forfour hours straight.
They're always gonna need abreak.
You're always gonna have a mixof ages and personality.
So, providing them withsomething that is not the band
or DJ they get a kick out of,but in the end that piece is
going home to the couple.
The end result is for them,whereas the guest illustrations
(22:47):
are for the guests.
It may not be so much of ahighly visible entertainment,
but the piece is going home withthe guests.
So that, to me, just speaks tothe personality of the couple of
.
Hey, if we have X amount in ourbudget to have some sort of
artist come in, what's moreimportant to us?
(23:07):
Sure, a piece for ourselves orsomething tangible for our
guests, right?
Speaker 1 (23:14):
Well, I guess really, when you think about it, they
can get an illustration ofthemselves too.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
Yes, and that's what I do, like it's sort of my
surprise element.
We don't talk about that on thecall.
So, like for guestillustrations, I tend to work in
like an eight by 10 paper range, but I always give my couples
like an 11 by 14, more detailedsomething for them.
(23:41):
Oh, that's cool.
They're a little surprised atthe end.
Yeah, now they know.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Yes, oh, oh, okay.
All right, I'm so glad we wentthrough all those and those were
like the big questions.
I thought, like these are thethings that people don't always
know about.
So, yes, okay.
So, if you've got that in place, okay.
So now let's talk about liveguest illustrations and, like
you said, that's where you setup a table and you're
(24:10):
illustrating guests as they comeup.
I think my number one thingthat I would like to lay about
this and that I think is soimportant that people ask if
they don't know, is how longdoes it take for each person to
be illustrated and how manypeople can be illustrated at
(24:33):
your wedding when you have anartist.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
I know it's gonna be.
Speaker 1 (24:37):
I know you're gonna tell me it's different for every
artist, but let's do on averagewhat you think, and I know
you're only yourself, but giveme the goods.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
Yeah.
So if we're talking a sketchlike, let's just say, a black
and white quick sketch of theguest, I would say in the five
minute range.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (25:03):
Now that, like I do, that that's possible.
There's also an option where Iuse paint.
It's almost like a quickerversion of what someone would
get in the canvas live painting.
Speaker 1 (25:19):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
That could take up to 15 to 20 because it's much more
detailed.
So I always say this is wherenumbers comes into play of if a
couple loves my style in termsof the height, much more
detailed illustration that suitsa much more intimate wedding
(25:44):
Okay, Because I have more timeto dedicate to each guest For
volume purposes if they've goteven, I would say, more than 30
to 40 people the quick sketchesbest.
Okay, Unless you are open tobringing in more than one artist
(26:06):
and we can work as a team tofield the volume.
Speaker 1 (26:13):
That's actually a really, really good idea.
Yeah, and with that are therelike is it that the couple comes
up and you take a photo andthen you sketch it, or does the
couple have to stay there forfive to 10 minutes?
Great, yes.
Speaker 2 (26:29):
Everyone's different, but for me personally, the
quick sketch where it's likeblack and white fashion
illustration they can standthere and bippity, boppity, boo,
I do it in a few minutes.
Okay, for the more detailedoption, that's when either
myself or in that case I usuallybring an assistant to help kind
(26:51):
of field the interest.
We take a full body photo ofthem.
It gets sent to my iPad.
That's kind of like hanging outin front of me on the table and
that's what I work off of, sothat they're free to go off and
enjoy the cocktail hour orreception.
And once I complete thepainting, I provide like a
(27:16):
plastic sleeve and a cardboardbacking and I leave it out on my
table so that they can grab itwhenever they're ready to,
because I'm very self-consciousabout a line forming and people
having to wait all of this timewhen they can be off enjoying
(27:37):
other aspects of the wedding.
So I'm very self-conscious ofthat, yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
And I think that's the hard part for planners, like
line the bar, line the art is.
It's the one thing we don'twant to have happen.
Yeah, is it public?
Is it something where and Idon't know if you've done this
in the past where maybe youcould go to more than one event
the wedding?
Let's say they're having awedding weekend and they're
(28:04):
going to have rehearsal dinnerand a welcome party and then the
wedding or maybe a brunch.
Is it something?
Is it possible that you couldlike make it higher for the
weekend, just so that you canget as many of their guests
(28:25):
Illustrated as possible?
Speaker 2 (28:26):
Yeah, absolutely.
Um, I mean, I the only thingwith that is Depending on the
personality of the guests.
I don't know if they would beSelf-conscious of the fact that
their outfit is changing.
Like what they're, would theywant to be illustrated in their
(28:47):
welcome party attire Versustheir wedding day attire?
I don't know if, like, wouldthey care?
I don't, I don't know, um, butis it?
Is that a possibility?
Yes, or what I would even thinkis the like.
Ultimate option, especially fora couple that loves and
appreciates art, is Bringing mein for something like the
(29:10):
welcome party or rehearsaldinner, because that's gonna be
a much more intimate affair.
Yeah, With a number of gueststhat I can really spend time
with them and and talk andengage with them and give them
this piece Because they're theVIPs of the week.
Yes, yes, but then the next day, on the big day, that's live
painting.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
That makes so much sense to do that that makes so
much sense and from yourperspective, reaction wise from
the guests.
Do you think that they're Moreexcited or wowed by the live
painting or the illustrations?
I know this is a tough questionto answer.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
No, I actually, I, my heart says the live painting
really okay.
I do.
I do because I think, um, IFeel like the vast majority of
us even if it's not a wedding,if it's a festival, it's a, if
it's a whatever, I think we'veall come in contact with some
(30:11):
sort of Personal illustrativeexperience, whether it's a
caricature artist or whatnot andso that expectation is set, or
that that experience has beenexperienced, whereas I mean,
even though I had a live artistat my wedding in 2015, so we're,
(30:32):
this is gonna be eight, nineyears the amount of people that
I meet every weekend who havenever heard of a live wedding
painting.
Speaker 1 (30:42):
I know there's so many.
Speaker 2 (30:44):
Yeah, so many, which is, like I'm one-handed shocking
, but it's also not not at all,yeah, shocking.
You know, I think I'm just tooclose to what I do, so that
there's always the wow factor,whereas with the guest
illustrations, they, they verymuch appreciate it and they get
a kick out of like, hey, look,it's me, how cute, yeah, um, but
(31:06):
then there, I think there's avalley.
Speaker 1 (31:09):
If that makes sense, have, I'm gonna go off the
beaten path here for just thelast couple minutes here, just
because I'm curious now I justpopped into my head I've been,
I've received In inquiries fromdigital sketch artists.
Yeah, is that something that'skind of new to weddings and do
(31:36):
you feel like that's somethingthat people would get just as
much joy out of?
Or do you feel like that'ssomething that it's gonna be
just like a photo booth?
You know, everything's sodigital these days and I I just
wonder what your thoughts are onit.
Speaker 2 (31:56):
Yeah, I, I agree, I don't think Anything, and this
is especially Interesting interms of all of the like AI
conversations we're having.
Oh, both in and outside of theindustry.
I don't think the theexcitement of having a tangible
(32:17):
Item created for you will everwaver.
If anything, I think,especially as we talk more about
AI and seeing all of thisdigital technology influence our
lives, I think people are gonnabe craving something tangible
more so.
Speaker 1 (32:34):
I Fully agree with that statement.
It was what I hoped you wouldsay, but I wanted yeah, I
couldn't sway you.
You know I was.
You know I just had to ask thequestion Because I know that it
is available now.
But yeah, my thought is,because I've experienced it and
because I know digital so well,I would be so much more excited
(32:55):
myself to have something I canframe and put on, like even if
it was to, honestly, Brittany,even just to put it on my
refrigerator.
Do you know what I mean?
Like that Absolutely.
To me it's like like how coolis that?
It's not something I can domyself.
And yes, I know you can go getyour pictures printed off of
your throne anywhere.
It's just not the same thing.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
It's not the same and I think there's and I don't
mean for this to come across asharsh, because I respect digital
artists immensely- the waythey're I fully agree.
Yeah, the way their brain worksis so different from mine, and
so I have a lot of respect.
But I think, as technologycontinues to influence our lives
(33:39):
the way it has, I almost thinkthere's almost like a distrust
of, even if you have the bestdigital artist come because it's
digital.
There's almost like a gutfeeling in me of, like, did they
really do all of that by hand,or did they grab a graphic off
the internet, did they?
(34:00):
You know, was the shape justautomatically, perfectly, they
just have to click a button andthis appears.
So there's a little bit ofdistrust.
Whereas you can't argue with theartist who's sitting in front
of you and you can watch theirhand on paper.
I think you just If that madeany sense.
Speaker 1 (34:18):
Oh, my gosh boy, did you ever just like spill the tea
right there with like?
Well, seriously, brittany, likethink about it, you're right,
they can go back in a race Likeit's not it's.
You're losing that moment intime.
You know, yes, and I'm with you.
I have so much respect for themI can't do it, and it is really
(34:41):
cool, but I feel like it's notgoing to have that longevity and
the value that something likedone with pen or paint or
anything like that does.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Yeah, there's yeah, I agree.
Where I see digital like thatcoming into play is for volume
purposes.
Speaker 1 (35:05):
Where if?
Speaker 2 (35:06):
you have such a big like especially I even think of
conferences, if you're okay,even just speaking outside of
the learning sphere, where ifthere's a high volume you're not
able you can imagine the amountof paper and supplies that
would need to be present to youknow, field these crowds and the
flexibility of being able tolike execute the illustration
(35:28):
and then just like email it tosomeone or post it to someone
Like I and I so regret I forgother name.
I've talked to her quite a fewtimes, but she has a brilliant
business, mainly for theconference industry, where she
will live illustrate thespeeches and create graphics and
stuff.
Oh, how cool, wonderful.
(35:50):
I couldn't do that, but shethrew her cause.
Like for me and how I'm anatural learner, like I'm an
auditory learner for, like, somethings I remember back in
college, but for others I'mhighly visual.
So if you can imagine you'resitting in a keynote and maybe
it's very dense and you havethis incredible artist there who
is live taking the speaker'spoints and illustrating them,
(36:15):
that's amazing.
So there's definitely spacethere and there's value in that.
Sure, again, I think it allcomes back to, especially for
weddings, the couples'personality, what's important to
them and what's important tothem to give their guests.
Speaker 1 (36:36):
This has been the best interview.
Yeah, oh my gosh.
No, it really has.
I'm so excited just to be hereon season five and to start it
with this episode, because Ithink there's so much value in
what we were able to exposeeveryone to in this episode.
It makes me so happy, Like thisis something that I think
(36:58):
people just gonna be.
Like I never even thought aboutthat, like that would be really
cool, you know and I will say,because I actually had both.
Like I said, it is really cool.
It is very, very cool, and Iunderstand it's another line
item on the budget, in thespending plan, but it's
(37:19):
definitely something that I feellike everyone should put on
their wish list and considerplacing into their allotment for
their entertainment line items.
You know, you've got your band,you've got maybe you have a
vocalist come in or I don't knowsomeone who does something else
(37:42):
.
There's all kinds of things,but this is something that not
only is an entertainment value,but you can also use it as a
gift to your guests or to yourwedding party, even if you just
did like you said at the keyplayers at the rehearsal dinner
or something like that.
So so many different things,brittany, thank you so much.
Can you quickly tell us wherepeople should reach out to you
(38:07):
for this and if you can justspell your name out?
So, because I find when Ilisten to podcasts people will
say, oh yeah, I'm Samira at LivePainter.
Well, not everyone knows how tospell Samira you are.
So if you can go ahead and giveus that information where they
(38:31):
should find you, and also if youcan say what people should
Google to find live artists andillustrators, because I
sometimes just got to start fromscratch.
Speaker 2 (38:45):
Absolutely no.
That is actually a wonderfulpoint.
So for me personally, mywebsite and Instagram are all by
Brittany Branson, so BY, butthen my name not like Spears,
b-r-i-t-t-a-n-y and Branson.
So those are a website andInstagram.
Speaker 1 (39:10):
By Brittany Branson.
Speaker 2 (39:11):
Yeah, all my friends say I sound like a girl reporter
from the 40s, like BrittanyBranson on the scene.
Great question about what tosearch for.
If you are interested in whatwe chatted about in terms of
live wedding painting, that'sexactly what I would search for
Live wedding painter near me,live wedding painter in certain
(39:37):
city here.
I feel like my colleagues and Ithat's SCO, yeah.
Speaker 1 (39:45):
Those are the words I use on a regular basis, and we
should call you a live weddingartist.
What would we call?
Speaker 2 (39:55):
I say painter not offended by artist and then
especially for like corporateand stuff, they'll say live
event painter if you're atnon-wedding event, but live
wedding painter.
It ranks really high For guestillustrations.
I personally say live guestillustration.
(40:15):
Sometimes what ranks reallyhigh is like live watercolor
portraits.
Speaker 1 (40:23):
Oh, okay.
Speaker 2 (40:24):
Yeah, a lot of us do use watercolor to execute those,
because it's quick andmalleable and dries relatively
fast.
So if you're not having as muchsuccess with just live guest
artist or illustrator, try thewatercolor route.
The live watercolor, and youmay get some really great people
(40:46):
popping up that way.
Speaker 1 (40:47):
Wonderful.
Oh, brittany, thank you againso much and I cannot wait to get
this out to everyone.
And thank you for being herefor my 50,000.load party.
Speaker 2 (40:59):
Oh, my God, I am so honored.
Speaker 1 (41:02):
And episode one of season five.
Okay, well, enjoy the rest ofyour day and I hope that I have
you at a wedding really soon.
Speaker 2 (41:10):
Me too.
Thank you, Kelly.
Speaker 1 (41:11):
Okay, bye.
I'm so glad to be able to sharemy wedding experiences and
expertise with you, and that myco-hosts are so giving it theirs
.
We truly do want you to havethe best time at your wedding,
and our hope is that thispodcast is helping you to make
your engagement time whileplanning your wedding that much
(41:32):
easier.
May I ask a favor of you?
If this is the case, would youjust take a moment to leave a
review of this podcast on yourlistening platform?
It helps people just like youto find the podcast and to also
find out their answer so theycan make decisions.
I would also absolutely love foryou to give this versus that
(41:53):
podcast a shout out on yoursocial media.
You can find us at this versusthat wedding podcast on
Instagram, and if you would likeme to help you with a specific
question, a wedding decision,please by all means ask.
Send me a DM.
I would love to hear from youand maybe, just maybe even have
(42:14):
you as a wedding guest on afuture episode.
How fun.
We'll see you soon at anothergreat wedding.
Hello and welcome to this Versus that making wedding
decisions with Kelly McWilliams.
This podcast is for you ifyou're making a wedding decision
and want to know what toconsider before saying I do to
all the things that will makeyour wedding experience a great
one.
I'm your host, kelly McWilliams, and I'm so glad to be a part
(00:30):
of your wedding planning journey.
In each episode, you can counton me and my expert wedding
co-hosts to give you everythingit takes to make the best
decisions for the wedding thatyou're dreaming of.
I can't believe we are inseason five of this Versus that.
You guys.
I never in a million yearsthought I would still be doing
(00:53):
this podcast Like.
I started it almost on a whim,almost.
I mean, I thought about it fora year, but now we've just hit
50,000 downloads.
Are you kidding me?
It's been a long hiatus.
So if you are new to thisVersus that, first of all, thank
you for joining us.
(01:14):
I'm Kelly McWilliams, I am yourhost and every episode we do a
little play.
On which one would you choose?
The whole goal is to help youmake a decision that you're
going to be making, andsometimes we're introducing you
to new ideas, like we are onthis episode.
So on this episode I have myfriend, brittany, who I met at a
(01:39):
wedding conference severalmonths ago, and she's a live
wedding painter, and if you'venever heard of live wedding
paintings, then this isdefinitely the episode for you,
because we're going to explainthat and why you may want to
include it in your wedding, butalso, if you don't want to do a
(02:00):
painting for your home, why youmight want to instead do
illustrations of your guests.
So we'll explain what both ofthem are.
Brittany's great at explainingall this because she's been
doing it for, like, I think,nine years all over the world,
and so she was like the perfectexpert to come on as our co-host
(02:20):
for this episode.
I hope you enjoy it and I'm soexcited to bring you this whole
season.
It's so pathful of the mostincredible wedding experts.
I'm just.
I'm floored by everyone whocame and I'm so excited to share
it all with you.
So let's go ahead and getstarted with this interview with
(02:40):
Brittany Branson.
Of by Brittany, by BrittanyBranson.
That's a mouthful Okay.
Good morning, brittany.
Thank you so much for being thevery first person on season
five of this versus that, and Iknow I told you already this
(03:03):
morning before I hit record.
But just yesterday I got likethis big email saying that we
finally not finally, becauseit's shocking to me hit 50,000
downloads.
Now I know that's not a lot inthe world of podcasting, but to
me, 50,000 times people havelistened to this podcast.
(03:27):
Amazing, that's spectacular,spectacular.
I mean I don't want to hear itfrom all those fancy guys who
have five million, but yeah, Idon't have anything on us.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
No, congratulations.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Thanks, Thanks.
I'm so excited to talk to you.
The topic that we have today islive wedding painting versus
live guest illustrations.
So I think anyone tuning intothis episode is going to be like
what are you even talking about?
Because I feel like so fewpeople have been exposed to both
(04:03):
of these things and I,fortunately, have had both kind
of.
So.
I've had live wedding paintinga few times.
Live guest illustrations I havehad one time with.
It wasn't watercolor, it wasn'tlike painting, it was literal
sketching.
And then another time we hadsomeone which is very different
(04:28):
art, but cutting silhouettes.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
I love those, yeah it was really, really cool.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
It was, and I had never seen it before in person,
so I thought that was so cool.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
What's a talent I wish I had.
How fast and just how onelittle shape, one little cut
makes someone's face in sync.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
I don't think I have the eyes to see people the way
that these artists do IncredibleAn artist's eyes.
I don't know how you do it.
You're born with a talent,clearly.
Okay.
So I think it would be great,before we talk about one or the
other, If you could explain youknow kind of in detail what it
(05:08):
is that live wedding painting isand what guest illustrations
are.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Yeah, absolutely so.
First I'll start with livewedding painting and that to me
and to my friends in theindustry, when we hear that we
define it as a very traditionalcanvas painting, where it's a
single canvas, the artist iscoming on site to capture a
(05:39):
favorite wedding day moment onthat canvas.
You can go into whether theyuse acrylic or oil or whatnot,
but it's a single heirloompainting capturing a favorite
moment in time.
So that's how my brain andalways thinks of live wedding
painting versus live guestillustrations is when you're
(06:05):
bringing in an artist who willdo just that.
You know, basically, as it says, a guest comes up to their
table and the artist produces avery quick, much smaller
illustration, usually on paper,of the guest either their
silhouette, their outfit but itessentially acts as a wedding
(06:26):
day favor that the guest willtake home, versus the live
wedding painting, which is apiece that the couple themselves
will take home.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Okay, got it.
I think you described themperfectly.
Thank you.
Okay, so let's talk about whysomeone would want to do one
versus the other.
Let's start talking about thepainting first.
So the first thing that Ithought about when, as you were
describing it, is that it's amoment in time, so I assume that
(06:59):
means that prior to the weddingday, you're deciding with the
clients what part of the dayyou're painting.
Is that true?
Yes, absolutely Okay.
And is there one over anotherthat you would recommend?
What do most people do?
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Sure.
So first I'll always say thatevery artist is different, right
, Okay?
Good to know, you know, and Iwill say that in terms of the
artist's individual process, Ihave friends who thrive on
showing up the day of, and theychoose the moment of, what
(07:42):
inspires them the most andthat's an act of trust that you
know they work on with thecouple beforehand.
Obviously, the couple isn'tgoing to contract them to come
if that trust there for thatchoice isn't already established
.
So I have friends who work thatway.
Me personally, I work with theclient to find out which wedding
(08:06):
day moment is most meaningfulto them or what they would love
to hang on their wall forever.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
So that tends to like .
The most popular ones are firstkiss walking up the aisle and
first dance are usually like thetop three.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Got it, and when you do this, are you starting from
scratch, or are there thingsthat you put in place prior to
the actual wedding day that arehopeful to you as an artist or
to the couple?
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Yeah, that's actually a really great question For me.
Personally, I thrive onstarting from scratch, always
for the sake of the discoverycall.
When a client inquires, I'll,you know, look up the venues
website, maybe check out theirInstagram just to get a feel for
(09:02):
it and also just so I can helpin that brainstorming
conversation initially.
But I thrive on basicallyshowing up on the big day, not
having been in the space, seenit, and we go from there.
That, to me, is part of myentertainment factor.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
I do have artist friends who, especially if
they're coming from a moretraditional studio background
like that's how they trained andoperated they might do multiple
sessions.
Sometimes, especially if thevenue is local to them, they
will show up.
Sometimes they do pre sketches.
They basically take theirstudio process and apply it to
(09:43):
the wedding, which is also verycool.
So there's no right or wrongway to do it.
It's more, if you, if a couple,loves the artist's final work,
I would hope that they trustthat artist process.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
One of the best things about having the live
artists there.
I mean, obviously, it's reallycool that you're going to have
this painting at the end thatyou can put in your home, right,
yes, and that becomes anheirloom.
Like you know, we all look atart in museums and things like
that, and you look at homes thathave been there and established
(10:19):
in, families that have passeddown these paintings of their,
their elders and the previousgenerations for years and years,
and we can do that now withthings like this.
Absolutely, let's talk aboutthe entertainment value of
having a live wedding artistthere.
So how does that typically work?
(10:40):
Like, do do you come in and youpick a spot that's good for you
to paint from, or is it thatthe planner puts you in place in
a specific area so that you'regetting the most view?
Like, what's that?
What's the entertainment?
How does that all work?
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Yeah, excellent question and I apologize if I
keep coming back to.
Every artist is different, so Iapologize for that.
No, it's fine, it's fine.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
And you can tell me from your perspective.
Yeah, perfect.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Yeah, so for me personally, I always tell my
couples and my vendor partnersthat I personally don't allow
logistics to interfere with thepainting they ultimately want.
So that can look a fewdifferent ways.
For example, if a couple ishaving a church ceremony offsite
(11:34):
but for entertainment reasonsit makes the most sense for me
to set up at the reception venuebecause that maximizes the
amount of hours that guests willbe present to watch the
painting come to life.
I've worked with thephotographers.
I've worked with the plannerswho are on site over at the
church If they can snap sneakyreference photos for me, and I
(11:56):
work off of those over at thereception.
So the couple is still gettingthe ceremony painting they've
always wanted, but we'remaximizing the entertainment
value and not sacrificing thatpart.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
So when that happens, does that mean that let's say
you are doing that, that thecouple has chosen to have their
ceremony as the moment capturedin this painting, and so if you
aren't there because we want theentertainment to actually be at
cocktail hour or dinner orsomething like that, then the
planner or someone at theceremony takes a photograph and
(12:35):
sends it to you and then you arepainting off of an image.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Correct.
Yeah, Now, sometimes,especially if the offsite
ceremony is relatively local tothe reception space, sometimes
I'll go and attend.
You know, I'll hang out in theback of you and take my own
content because I'm takingphotos and videos for social
media purposes and everything.
So I love to do that.
(13:02):
Sometimes that's just notpossible, especially if there's
hours of gap or sometimes if theceremony site is on like a
military base and that's notalways easy for me to kind of
flip a flop in and out.
Photographers and planners,family members, have always been
amazing with helping me out interms of capturing those
(13:23):
reference images for me to workoff of.
Yeah, they just text me.
I mean I've.
Even if I can't connect withthe photographer right away,
sometimes at the receptionthey'll come up to me and I
literally just snap a photo oftheir camera.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
The back of the camera.
Yeah, oh my gosh.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
Whatever works you know, whatever it takes to get
the job done.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
What a testament to your talent, though.
Oh, thank you.
But do you find?
Do you find that it's easierfor you, though, or that the
image your painting is betterwhen you actually see it in
person?
Speaker 2 (13:54):
No, actually I'm pretty chill either way.
Okay, and this is where Ialways say it's someone else's
process.
I have friends who are veryadamant that like they have to
be there, they have to be in thesame room as the moment's
occurring, and that's totallygreat.
For me personally, the endresult and maximizing the
(14:19):
entertainment value is moreimportant to me than being a I'm
putting stickler in air quoteseveryone being a stickler for
the like my eyes on the moment.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
Okay, so in the past when I've had a live artist,
what we've done I actuallyhaven't had anyone choose a
ceremony.
Almost all of mine have been ina reception, and I think that
the reason is and you tell me ifI'm wrong at the reception
there's other key people thatyou can put into the painting.
(14:52):
Am I right?
Yes, and with that, is thatsomething where it's been a
little bit of time?
So I think I recall that Ihelped the artists to know who
were the VIPs that theypreferred to have put into the
painting at some place, correct?
Speaker 2 (15:14):
Yeah, absolutely so.
All of my paintings are customso I know going into the day
like I have my list.
If my couple wants any otherindividuals in the painting, I
have my list.
I personally do my best.
Especially what's reallyhelpful if they want parents or
(15:35):
siblings, or what not added intothe painting is the
introductions into the ballroombefore the first dance, because
the DJ is like you know,physically announcing these
people.
So I'm there and I'm takingthose reference photos.
But for me personally, I alwaystell my couples if you want all
(15:56):
of these other individuals inthe painting.
It would help me out a lot if Iwere to take it home and then
get back in touch with you,especially if you get your
professional photos back in aparticular time frame so that I
can just cross reference that Itook photos of the correct
people.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
So when you're there painting that night, you would
be painting basically the bridein the groom or the couple,
whatever you know, but whoever'sgetting married, and then their
surroundings, and then later onadding in key players.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
That's my personal process.
Now, what I will say to allcouples listening is that this
comes down to what's mostimportant to you, right?
Because I certainly have liveartists, friends, who they
thrive on the challenge ofadding in everyone and their
mother into the painting thatnight.
(16:57):
So if that wow factor isimportant to you, I would allow
that to what's the dictionaryword I'm looking for.
I would allow that to inspireyour decision in terms of the
artist you ultimately choose, ifthat makes sense, whereas for
me, I just think the types ofcouples I attract or who
(17:20):
ultimately want to work with me,that's not up high up on their
priority list.
They're actually totally coolwith me taking the painting home
because they don't want to beresponsible for it after a night
of drinking anyway, sure.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
Sure, I can't imagine .
I can't imagine In general.
Are there different sizes?
Or is it like every artist?
It's like, oh no, everyone does12 by 12 kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
Great question.
Yeah, I have seen me and myartist friends offer the gamut
of all sorts of stuff, so Ipersonally offer three.
I thrive on slightly bigger.
It's funny bigger canvasesactually allow me to work better
(18:14):
and faster, even thoughlogically that may not make much
sense.
So, especially in terms ofpricing, I'll have a lot of
couples who love the idea of alive painting but they've never
seen it, they've never comeacross it, they wouldn't know.
So I think in their brainsthey're thinking, oh, the
(18:36):
smaller the canvas equals alower price, like inches equals
to price.
But that's not the case, notfor me.
It's actually me.
Bigger helps me work faster.
However, do I have a lot ofartist friends who thrive on
smaller, like even in the 12 to16 range?
(18:58):
Absolutely.
So again, another factor toconsider when choosing the best
artist fit for you.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
Okay, I have two last questions before I move to
illustrations.
Yeah One, what is somethingthat people need to do before
they pick a live artist, becausethe number one thing that I
notice is that they're alldrastically different.
Yes, so is that?
(19:29):
How?
How should someone go aboutpicking their artist?
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Yeah, great question.
I always say two primary thingsthat always come to mind.
One is, of course, the style,because this piece is gonna be
hanging on your wall forever.
So, even though, if you as acouple, if you're in love with
the idea of having a live artist, I wanna make sure that you
(19:56):
love, you ultimately love thepainting, because the painting
is a lot harder to hide than aUSB full of your photos.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
If you hate them, you put them in a drawer.
Yes, it's gonna be a little bitmore difficult to hide away a 24
by 30 canvas if you don't loveit.
So I want you to love the style, and so that's why I always
encourage couples to don'tsettle.
Like, if you find that artistimmediately in your area, don't
(20:29):
speak to you style-wise.
I encourage you to look outside.
It's why I travel a lot.
There's not too too many of usand a lot of us do travel
because we understand that wedon't want couples to settle for
the handful of people who maybe available locally If that
(20:51):
makes sense I couldn't agreewith you more on that.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Yeah, and because I've had to go look a few times
and I don't know it's because ofwhere I'm at in the world, but
there's very few there andthey're not for everyone.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
And so.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
I think it's really important to consider.
Even if you're trying to staylocal, for something like this,
it probably is best to searchnationwide for your artists and
know that that's a very, verynormal thing.
My last question before I moveon is and maybe this isn't
(21:30):
shouldn't be a last questionMaybe this should be like the
question that leads us to thenext one.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
What.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
When it comes to entertainment value, do you find
that your guests and the coupleare more entertained by the
live wedding painting or theillustrations?
And I hate to pin one againstthe other, but I figured you're
the person to ask because you'rethe person that sees it all the
(21:58):
time.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
See, I don't even take that as pinning one against
the other.
Where I mentally go to is thatdecision ultimately speaks to
the couple's personality,because the live painting, to me
, is something for them.
Yes, you are providing yourguests the entertainment.
(22:23):
People are not gonna dance forfour hours straight.
They're always gonna need abreak.
You're always gonna have a mixof ages and personality.
So, providing them withsomething that is not the band
or DJ they get a kick out of,but in the end that piece is
going home to the couple.
The end result is for them,whereas the guest illustrations
(22:47):
are for the guests.
It may not be so much of ahighly visible entertainment,
but the piece is going home withthe guests.
So that, to me, just speaks tothe personality of the couple of
.
Hey, if we have X amount in ourbudget to have some sort of
artist come in, what's moreimportant to us?
(23:07):
Sure, a piece for ourselves orsomething tangible for our
guests, right?
Speaker 1 (23:14):
Well, I guess really, when you think about it, they
can get an illustration ofthemselves too.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
Yes, and that's what I do, like it's sort of my
surprise element.
We don't talk about that on thecall.
So, like for guestillustrations, I tend to work in
like an eight by 10 paper range, but I always give my couples
like an 11 by 14, more detailedsomething for them.
(23:41):
Oh, that's cool.
They're a little surprised atthe end.
Yeah, now they know.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Yes, oh, oh, okay.
All right, I'm so glad we wentthrough all those and those were
like the big questions.
I thought, like these are thethings that people don't always
know about.
So, yes, okay.
So, if you've got that in place, okay.
So now let's talk about liveguest illustrations and, like
you said, that's where you setup a table and you're
(24:10):
illustrating guests as they comeup.
I think my number one thingthat I would like to lay about
this and that I think is soimportant that people ask if
they don't know, is how longdoes it take for each person to
be illustrated and how manypeople can be illustrated at
(24:33):
your wedding when you have anartist.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
I know it's gonna be.
Speaker 1 (24:37):
I know you're gonna tell me it's different for every
artist, but let's do on averagewhat you think, and I know
you're only yourself, but giveme the goods.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
Yeah.
So if we're talking a sketchlike, let's just say, a black
and white quick sketch of theguest, I would say in the five
minute range.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (25:03):
Now that, like I do, that that's possible.
There's also an option where Iuse paint.
It's almost like a quickerversion of what someone would
get in the canvas live painting.
Speaker 1 (25:19):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
That could take up to 15 to 20 because it's much more
detailed.
So I always say this is wherenumbers comes into play of if a
couple loves my style in termsof the height, much more
detailed illustration that suitsa much more intimate wedding
(25:44):
Okay, Because I have more timeto dedicate to each guest For
volume purposes if they've goteven, I would say, more than 30
to 40 people the quick sketchesbest.
Okay, Unless you are open tobringing in more than one artist
(26:06):
and we can work as a team tofield the volume.
Speaker 1 (26:13):
That's actually a really, really good idea.
Yeah, and with that are therelike is it that the couple comes
up and you take a photo andthen you sketch it, or does the
couple have to stay there forfive to 10 minutes?
Great, yes.
Speaker 2 (26:29):
Everyone's different, but for me personally, the
quick sketch where it's likeblack and white fashion
illustration they can standthere and bippity, boppity, boo,
I do it in a few minutes.
Okay, for the more detailedoption, that's when either
myself or in that case I usuallybring an assistant to help kind
(26:51):
of field the interest.
We take a full body photo ofthem.
It gets sent to my iPad.
That's kind of like hanging outin front of me on the table and
that's what I work off of, sothat they're free to go off and
enjoy the cocktail hour orreception.
And once I complete thepainting, I provide like a
(27:16):
plastic sleeve and a cardboardbacking and I leave it out on my
table so that they can grab itwhenever they're ready to,
because I'm very self-consciousabout a line forming and people
having to wait all of this timewhen they can be off enjoying
(27:37):
other aspects of the wedding.
So I'm very self-conscious ofthat, yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
And I think that's the hard part for planners, like
line the bar, line the art is.
It's the one thing we don'twant to have happen.
Yeah, is it public?
Is it something where and Idon't know if you've done this
in the past where maybe youcould go to more than one event
the wedding?
Let's say they're having awedding weekend and they're
(28:04):
going to have rehearsal dinnerand a welcome party and then the
wedding or maybe a brunch.
Is it something?
Is it possible that you couldlike make it higher for the
weekend, just so that you canget as many of their guests
(28:25):
Illustrated as possible?
Speaker 2 (28:26):
Yeah, absolutely.
Um, I mean, I the only thingwith that is Depending on the
personality of the guests.
I don't know if they would beSelf-conscious of the fact that
their outfit is changing.
Like what they're, would theywant to be illustrated in their
(28:47):
welcome party attire Versustheir wedding day attire?
I don't know if, like, wouldthey care?
I don't, I don't know, um, butis it?
Is that a possibility?
Yes, or what I would even thinkis the like.
Ultimate option, especially fora couple that loves and
appreciates art, is Bringing mein for something like the
(29:10):
welcome party or rehearsaldinner, because that's gonna be
a much more intimate affair.
Yeah, With a number of gueststhat I can really spend time
with them and and talk andengage with them and give them
this piece Because they're theVIPs of the week.
Yes, yes, but then the next day, on the big day, that's live
painting.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
That makes so much sense to do that that makes so
much sense and from yourperspective, reaction wise from
the guests.
Do you think that they're Moreexcited or wowed by the live
painting or the illustrations?
I know this is a tough questionto answer.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
No, I actually, I, my heart says the live painting
really okay.
I do.
I do because I think, um, IFeel like the vast majority of
us even if it's not a wedding,if it's a festival, it's a, if
it's a whatever, I think we'veall come in contact with some
(30:11):
sort of Personal illustrativeexperience, whether it's a
caricature artist or whatnot andso that expectation is set, or
that that experience has beenexperienced, whereas I mean,
even though I had a live artistat my wedding in 2015, so we're,
(30:32):
this is gonna be eight, nineyears the amount of people that
I meet every weekend who havenever heard of a live wedding
painting.
Speaker 1 (30:42):
I know there's so many.
Speaker 2 (30:44):
Yeah, so many, which is, like I'm one-handed shocking
, but it's also not not at all,yeah, shocking.
You know, I think I'm just tooclose to what I do, so that
there's always the wow factor,whereas with the guest
illustrations, they, they verymuch appreciate it and they get
a kick out of like, hey, look,it's me, how cute, yeah, um, but
(31:06):
then there, I think there's avalley.
Speaker 1 (31:09):
If that makes sense, have, I'm gonna go off the
beaten path here for just thelast couple minutes here, just
because I'm curious now I justpopped into my head I've been,
I've received In inquiries fromdigital sketch artists.
Yeah, is that something that'skind of new to weddings and do
(31:36):
you feel like that's somethingthat people would get just as
much joy out of?
Or do you feel like that'ssomething that it's gonna be
just like a photo booth?
You know, everything's sodigital these days and I I just
wonder what your thoughts are onit.
Speaker 2 (31:56):
Yeah, I, I agree, I don't think Anything, and this
is especially Interesting interms of all of the like AI
conversations we're having.
Oh, both in and outside of theindustry.
I don't think the theexcitement of having a tangible
(32:17):
Item created for you will everwaver.
If anything, I think,especially as we talk more about
AI and seeing all of thisdigital technology influence our
lives, I think people are gonnabe craving something tangible
more so.
Speaker 1 (32:34):
I Fully agree with that statement.
It was what I hoped you wouldsay, but I wanted yeah, I
couldn't sway you.
You know I was.
You know I just had to ask thequestion Because I know that it
is available now.
But yeah, my thought is,because I've experienced it and
because I know digital so well,I would be so much more excited
(32:55):
myself to have something I canframe and put on, like even if
it was to, honestly, Brittany,even just to put it on my
refrigerator.
Do you know what I mean?
Like that Absolutely.
To me it's like like how coolis that?
It's not something I can domyself.
And yes, I know you can go getyour pictures printed off of
your throne anywhere.
It's just not the same thing.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
It's not the same and I think there's and I don't
mean for this to come across asharsh, because I respect digital
artists immensely- the waythey're I fully agree.
Yeah, the way their brain worksis so different from mine, and
so I have a lot of respect.
But I think, as technologycontinues to influence our lives
(33:39):
the way it has, I almost thinkthere's almost like a distrust
of, even if you have the bestdigital artist come because it's
digital.
There's almost like a gutfeeling in me of, like, did they
really do all of that by hand,or did they grab a graphic off
the internet, did they?
(34:00):
You know, was the shape justautomatically, perfectly, they
just have to click a button andthis appears.
So there's a little bit ofdistrust.
Whereas you can't argue with theartist who's sitting in front
of you and you can watch theirhand on paper.
I think you just If that madeany sense.
Speaker 1 (34:18):
Oh, my gosh boy, did you ever just like spill the tea
right there with like?
Well, seriously, brittany, likethink about it, you're right,
they can go back in a race Likeit's not it's.
You're losing that moment intime.
You know, yes, and I'm with you.
I have so much respect for themI can't do it, and it is really
(34:41):
cool, but I feel like it's notgoing to have that longevity and
the value that something likedone with pen or paint or
anything like that does.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Yeah, there's yeah, I agree.
Where I see digital like thatcoming into play is for volume
purposes.
Speaker 1 (35:05):
Where if?
Speaker 2 (35:06):
you have such a big like especially I even think of
conferences, if you're okay,even just speaking outside of
the learning sphere, where ifthere's a high volume you're not
able you can imagine the amountof paper and supplies that
would need to be present to youknow, field these crowds and the
flexibility of being able tolike execute the illustration
(35:28):
and then just like email it tosomeone or post it to someone
Like I and I so regret I forgother name.
I've talked to her quite a fewtimes, but she has a brilliant
business, mainly for theconference industry, where she
will live illustrate thespeeches and create graphics and
stuff.
Oh, how cool, wonderful.
(35:50):
I couldn't do that, but shethrew her cause.
Like for me and how I'm anatural learner, like I'm an
auditory learner for, like, somethings I remember back in
college, but for others I'mhighly visual.
So if you can imagine you'resitting in a keynote and maybe
it's very dense and you havethis incredible artist there who
is live taking the speaker'spoints and illustrating them,
(36:15):
that's amazing.
So there's definitely spacethere and there's value in that.
Sure, again, I think it allcomes back to, especially for
weddings, the couples'personality, what's important to
them and what's important tothem to give their guests.
Speaker 1 (36:36):
This has been the best interview.
Yeah, oh my gosh.
No, it really has.
I'm so excited just to be hereon season five and to start it
with this episode, because Ithink there's so much value in
what we were able to exposeeveryone to in this episode.
It makes me so happy, Like thisis something that I think
(36:58):
people just gonna be.
Like I never even thought aboutthat, like that would be really
cool, you know and I will say,because I actually had both.
Like I said, it is really cool.
It is very, very cool, and Iunderstand it's another line
item on the budget, in thespending plan, but it's
(37:19):
definitely something that I feellike everyone should put on
their wish list and considerplacing into their allotment for
their entertainment line items.
You know, you've got your band,you've got maybe you have a
vocalist come in or I don't knowsomeone who does something else
(37:42):
.
There's all kinds of things,but this is something that not
only is an entertainment value,but you can also use it as a
gift to your guests or to yourwedding party, even if you just
did like you said at the keyplayers at the rehearsal dinner
or something like that.
So so many different things,brittany, thank you so much.
Can you quickly tell us wherepeople should reach out to you
(38:07):
for this and if you can justspell your name out?
So, because I find when Ilisten to podcasts people will
say, oh yeah, I'm Samira at LivePainter.
Well, not everyone knows how tospell Samira you are.
So if you can go ahead and giveus that information where they
(38:31):
should find you, and also if youcan say what people should
Google to find live artists andillustrators, because I
sometimes just got to start fromscratch.
Speaker 2 (38:45):
Absolutely no.
That is actually a wonderfulpoint.
So for me personally, mywebsite and Instagram are all by
Brittany Branson, so BY, butthen my name not like Spears,
b-r-i-t-t-a-n-y and Branson.
So those are a website andInstagram.
Speaker 1 (39:10):
By Brittany Branson.
Speaker 2 (39:11):
Yeah, all my friends say I sound like a girl reporter
from the 40s, like BrittanyBranson on the scene.
Great question about what tosearch for.
If you are interested in whatwe chatted about in terms of
live wedding painting, that'sexactly what I would search for
Live wedding painter near me,live wedding painter in certain
(39:37):
city here.
I feel like my colleagues and Ithat's SCO, yeah.
Speaker 1 (39:45):
Those are the words I use on a regular basis, and we
should call you a live weddingartist.
What would we call?
Speaker 2 (39:55):
I say painter not offended by artist and then
especially for like corporateand stuff, they'll say live
event painter if you're atnon-wedding event, but live
wedding painter.
It ranks really high For guestillustrations.
I personally say live guestillustration.
(40:15):
Sometimes what ranks reallyhigh is like live watercolor
portraits.
Speaker 1 (40:23):
Oh, okay.
Speaker 2 (40:24):
Yeah, a lot of us do use watercolor to execute those,
because it's quick andmalleable and dries relatively
fast.
So if you're not having as muchsuccess with just live guest
artist or illustrator, try thewatercolor route.
The live watercolor, and youmay get some really great people
(40:46):
popping up that way.
Speaker 1 (40:47):
Wonderful.
Oh, brittany, thank you againso much and I cannot wait to get
this out to everyone.
And thank you for being herefor my 50,000.load party.
Speaker 2 (40:59):
Oh, my God, I am so honored.
Speaker 1 (41:02):
And episode one of season five.
Okay, well, enjoy the rest ofyour day and I hope that I have
you at a wedding really soon.
Speaker 2 (41:10):
Me too.
Thank you, Kelly.
Speaker 1 (41:11):
Okay, bye.
I'm so glad to be able to sharemy wedding experiences and
expertise with you, and that myco-hosts are so giving it theirs
.
We truly do want you to havethe best time at your wedding,
and our hope is that thispodcast is helping you to make
your engagement time whileplanning your wedding that much
(41:32):
easier.
May I ask a favor of you?
If this is the case, would youjust take a moment to leave a
review of this podcast on yourlistening platform?
It helps people just like youto find the podcast and to also
find out their answer so theycan make decisions.
I would also absolutely love foryou to give this versus that
(41:53):
podcast a shout out on yoursocial media.
You can find us at this versusthat wedding podcast on
Instagram, and if you would likeme to help you with a specific
question, a wedding decision,please by all means ask.
Send me a DM.
I would love to hear from youand maybe, just maybe even have
(42:14):
you as a wedding guest on afuture episode.
How fun.
We'll see you soon at anothergreat wedding.
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