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Live Wedding Painting Is Back
Live wedding painting is having a chic comeback —and Istanbul artist İnsel Kanca is here for it!
Before photo shoots, drones and aggressively curated Instagram stories, there were wedding painters. The tradition dates back to 15th-century European aristocracy, disappeared with the invention of photography, and is now quietly making a stylish return. Istanbul-based artist İnsel Kanca brings the old-world ritual into the present day: painting newlyweds live on canvas while turning guests into quick watercolor portraits. Think less “content creation,” more heirloom energy.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a painter and educator based in Istanbul. For the past few years, I’ve been painting couples live during weddings while also creating quick watercolor portraits for guests. My goal is to turn the day into something personal and memorable for everyone involved.
You’re also known for your work in botanical illustration. Your work recently appeared in the Plant Heritage of Anatolia exhibition.
Yes —I took part in the Turkish edition of Botanical Art Worldwide 2025 at Salt İstiklal with a piece featuring the Urla Artichoke. The exhibition focused on Anatolia’s ancient plant heritage and was incredibly valuable both scientifically and artistically. We received wonderful feedback.
So what exactly does a wedding painter do?
In short: a painter who works on-site during the wedding and captures the atmosphere in real time. It all started in 2024 when one of my students invited me to paint at their wedding. I created a live portrait of the couple on canvas, and later added watercolor guest sketches after receiving more requests.
Is this a growing trend?
Definitely. In Turkey, there are only a handful of artists doing it right now, but internationally it has become very popular in recent years.
What does your workflow look like during a wedding?
Couples can essentially choose between two formats. If they prefer, I create an acrylic painting on canvas of the bride and groom, reflecting both the atmosphere of the venue and the couple’s personality. Alternatively, I can work in watercolor, creating sketch-style portraits of both the newlyweds and their guests. Unfortunately, it’s not possible for me to do both at the same time. To make sure no one has to wait around while I paint, I usually work from photo references while guests continue enjoying the celebration.
Does the venue influence the painting?
Absolutely. Especially for the couple’s portrait, I usually include part of the venue in the background, so the atmosphere naturally becomes part of the painting itself.
What’s the hardest —and best— part of the job?
Time pressure, without a doubt. Weddings last around four hours, so it’s a race against the clock from the moment I set up my station. Outdoor weddings can also be challenging because of weather conditions. But the best part is seeing people’s reactions when they first see their portraits. That moment is priceless.
If you painted Istanbul as a single canvas, what would be in it?
Cats, the Bosphorus and ferries. Obviously.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF WEDDING PAINTING
Wedding painting isn’t exactly a TikTok-born trend. It dates back to the 15th century, when aristocratic families in Italy and Burgundy exchanged painted portraits before marriages were arranged. Romantic? Not exactly. Strategic? Very.
By the 16th century, royal dynasties like the Habsburgs had turned marriage portraits into diplomatic tools. Artists occasionally “enhanced” their subjects —essentially the Renaissance version of a beauty filter.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the practice evolved into a symbol of status and remembrance, with engagement and wedding portraits becoming increasingly common.
Then photography arrived in the 19th century, and the tradition slowly faded away. Until now. Because apparently, even in the age of smartphones, people still want something handmade to remember the big day by.
To follow İnsel Kanca:
Instagram: weddingpainter.tr
Web: www.inselsweddingpaintings.com
