Frequently Asked
Questions
Once we confirm that me and/or my guest portrait team is available for your date, we require a signed contract in addition to a nonrefundable retainer of $1000 that will hold your date & go towards your total cost.
I typically meet with couples or clients before the contract is signed in case there are any lingering questions or details we need to iron out prior to signing a contract. Once all the questions have been answered, the initial payment has been made and the contract is signed, you are booked!
How do I book you for my event?
For live oil paintings, commissions, and original work, I paint with high quality oil paint on a professional-grade canvas.
For live guest portrait painting, my team and I use watercolor paints & pen on watercolor paper.
What type of materials do you use?
Right now, my default plan for payment goes like this:
- $1000 deposit at the time of booking.
- Equal payments split halfway to from booking to the wedding date and 2 weeks from the wedding date.
If you need to break up payments more than this, I am completely willing to work with you on a payment plan, including breaking up the deposit. Just ask and we can figure out the timing that works best for you.
Do you allow payment plans?
Most of my couples will pay between $2700 to $5000 for a live oil painting. I might charge less for a live painting that takes place in the Show Low/Pinetop area of Arizona because that is where I currently live, or I might charge a little more if I have to travel a long distance for a live painting or if there are a lot of extra details included. Generally, live wedding painting pricing varies based on the size of canvas, the number of people included in the painting, time of year, as well as any other factors that require extra time & skill. If I need to travel for a job, I will make sure to include this in the custom quote I provide after our initial call.
How much do you typically charge for a live oil painting?
Yes, my quotes are all inclusive, meaning that they include all fees, taxes, shipping, travel costs, and more. You will only need to pay exactly the number I provide to you, should you move forward with booking.
Do your custom quotes include all fees or do we need to pay for shipping or taxes?
Yes, KM Fine Art Studios LLC has liability insurance up to 1M.
Do you have Liability Insurance?
To do my best work, I need a clear reference photo and I cannot create a full figure of a person without an image to make it look just like them. If you have a really great photo of someone who has passed away and would like to see if it is possible to add them in the painting, please reach out to check!
There are always other options for honoring someone in your wedding painting even if their figure is not painted in. For instance, if cardinals were this person’s favorite bird and that reminds you of them, we can add that detail into your wedding painting.
Can I request to feature someone who has passed away?
Of course you can! Typically, my default for the ceremony is to focus only on the couple and their venue background. I find this makes for the most clean and romantic-looking painting. You can request that I add in detailed paintings of others and we will make sure to include that in the contract before signing.
If this is something that interests you, we will have to discuss ahead of time who you would like to be in the painting and you will need to appoint someone during the reception to point out & bring these chosen guests to me.
Can I request who is featured in my live painting?
Yes, I love traveling! For traveling outside of the Show Low/Lakeside/Pinetop area or the Phoenix Valley, there is a fee involved. Right now, I charge the Current Federal Mileage Rate , which is 67 cents per mile, for roundtrip travel from Lakeside, AZ (this applies to jobs that I can drive to within 6 hours). Depending on how far your venue is, I might charge for lodging as well (or you may add me to your hotel block if that is preferred). All of these fees will be included in my custom quotes after we chat on the phone.
Please reach out if you’d like to get a quote on travel fees if you are unsure what yours might be.
Are you willing to travel to my venue?
Because of the nature of oil paints, it can take up to a few weeks for paintings to dry. Typically after the wedding, I will take the painting home with me and it will be ready to be worked on again after a few days. Depending on the size & detail left, as well as how many paintings I am working on in the studio at the time, the painting could take up to 12 weeks to complete. Once finished, dried, and varnished, I will ship or hand-deliver the painting to your home (which is included in your cost)!
How long does it take to get my painting back after the wedding?
For live oil painting, for the most part, I only take on weddings (unless you would like to get a landscape painting made live). I do take on other events every once in a while, depending on what is requested. If interested in getting a painting made after your event is over, please inquire about photo-based commissions.
As for watercolor guest portraits, my team and I are happy to paint at any event.
Do you paint live at events other than weddings?
Absolutely! Because most ceremonies are shorter, it is important for me to get to the venue early so I can start painting the background beforehand and be ready for the ceremony on time. I will take reference photos during the ceremony and can use them throughout the rest of the night to finish the painting as you and your guests observe.
My ceremony is only going to be 15-20 minutes long. Can you still paint it?
