“Because weddings are unpredictable, and you have to be prepared!”

There is a lot of thought that goes into deciding what to pack for a live wedding painting. There’s a lot more that goes into the job than just showing up with paint and a canvas. Every event is different, but over time I’ve learned exactly what to pack to make sure I can set up quickly, paint comfortably, and handle anything the day throws at me. Whether it’s a last-minute weather change, tricky lighting, or an unplanned element I have to capture, I’ve mastered an exhaustive list that has everything I need to ensure a successful live painting day.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes into a live painter’s setup (or you’re another artist building your own), or you just love a good “what’s in my bag”, here’s the full list of everything I pack for a live wedding painting job. The essentials, the little comforts, and everything in between that makes a long day go smoothly.

(I’ve linked most of my favorite products and tools below, so if you’re looking to build your own setup, you can find everything easily! Some of the links will earn me a small commission if you use them.)

1. The Essentials

The absolute non-negotiables that make every painting possible.

• Easel – Meeden portable french-box easel. [linked here]
• Canvas – I get all my canvases at Michaels. Either Level 2 Gallery Wrapped Traditional, or Level 3 Gallery Wrapped Heavy Duty.
• Paints – All my paints are from Michaels as well. I use Winsor & Newton and Golden Acrylics.
• Brushes: I prefer long-handle acrylic brushes and lean towards the filbert shape. I almost always find myself reaching for a size 2.
• Palette: I LOVE the sta-wet palette. [linked here]
• Water jar: whatever extra container I have at home.

Tip: Pack all your essentials with care. These tend to be the higher quality investments that you want to be sure last you a while.

2. Studio on the Go

All the “nice to haves” that make the job easier, and a random corner of a venue into your studio space.

• Dropcloth: To protect the venue floor (and for coziness). [linked here]
• Palette paper: For paint mixing. I love these ones with the hole for my thumb. [linked here]
• Conte Crayons: I use these to sketch the couple’s portrait before I paint them. [linked here]
• Rulers: always a 6 inch, 12 inch, and 18 inch.
• Paper Towels
• Lighting: I LOVE this lamp, so light and portable. [linked here]
• Towel or rag

3. Backup & Safety Gear

Because weddings are unpredictable, and you have to be prepared!

• Extra paints: I bring my most used colors: burnt umber, sap green, hooker’s green, and powder blue.
• Slow dry medium: I try to use very little of this because it tends to thin my paint out. [linked here]
• Extension cord and power strip: black. always. the longer the better. [linked here]
• Paint markers: Posca makes the absolute best! [linked here]
• Gaffers Tape: In case my easel breaks or I need to tape wires down. [linked here]

4. Tech + Extras

The tools that help capture progress and keep everything running smoothly.

• Tripod: easy way to get content for the socials [linked here]
• Power bank: has saved me probably a hundred times with dead outlets, no power access, etc. [linked here]
• Airpods
• Business Cards: I get mine from Vistaprint
• iPad
• Phone Charger

5. Comfort Items

Little things that make a long painting day smoother.

• Snacks + water bottle: I always bring a protein bar, a chomps, and an apple.
• Fan: This is my daughter’s stroller fan that works perfectly for the hot summer outdoor weddings. [linked here]
• Bug spray + sunscreen: absolute must-haves
• Deodorant, chapstick, personal beauty items.
• Comfy shoes: I wear the nice shoes for the wedding and change into my comfies for the drive home 🙂

6. The Personal Touch

Every painter has their quirks that make their painting day unique. Mine is wearing a green painting apron my mom gifted me for Christmas a few years ago. It was meant to be worn for when I was an art teacher (lol), but I like that it’s a small personal touch to have with me while I’m working. Whatever makes you feel most confident is a great thing to add to your packing list.

Encourage readers to reach out or follow your process:

Packing for each wedding is part of the ritual of preparing to create something that will live on for generations. If you’re a couple curious about having a live painting at your wedding, you can learn more about the experience here, or follow along behind the scenes on Instagram. I’m currently booking 2026 and 2027 weddings, so be sure to inquire about your date!