Live Portrait Painting for Events

I capture the essence of someone.
In a room full of people, that moment when a person sees themselves reflected back, not in a photo, but in a painting made just for them, is something guests don't forget. That's what I bring to an event.

Get in touch

What to expect

  • Jun-Yi in a red sweater painting with watercolors at a table at a Lunar New Year event in Rotterdam.

    Guests don't need to sit still or pose. I work from a quick photo, which means they can carry on with their evening while I paint. Most portraits are ready within 30 minutes.

  • What they receive is a hand-painted watercolour portrait on quality paper, packaged and ready to take home. Not a caricature, not a sketch... a considered, characterful likeness that feels like a gift.

  • For you as an organiser, the setup is minimal. A table, a chair, and decent light is all I need. I arrive prepared, work independently, and fit into the atmosphere of your event without disrupting it. 📷 Sander van Ketel

Events I work with

Live portrait painting works across a wide range of settings. Here are the ones I work with most, and what to expect in terms of investment.

Corporate and brand events — from €600

Product launches, staff celebrations, client entertainment, brand activations. A live artist adds a distinctive, human touch to professional settings and gives guests something personal to take home.

Cultural events and community gatherings — from €350

Festivals, heritage events, community programmes, and cultural celebrations. I work well in settings where identity, story, and connection are at the heart of what's happening.

Café and pop-up sessions — from €350

A calm, creative presence for your space. I attract attention, invite conversation, and give visitors a reason to linger.

Private celebrations — from €250

Birthdays, anniversaries, garden parties, and intimate gatherings. A live portrait session turns an ordinary evening into something guests talk about long after.

Rotterdam, 2026

Build Your Archive

A live portrait session at a cultural event celebrating the stories and origins of Asian women in the Netherlands. Guests chose from three emotional themes — Grounded, Moving, Holding — and received a hand-drawn, personalised portrait to take home.

19 portraits sold. Sold out within the session.

"It's so simple but powerful."

Read the full story

Kuala Lumpur, 2025

Ladies' Night

Three consecutive weeks of live portrait painting at WIP, a restaurant and bar in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, as part of a Ladies Night sponsored by Herradura Tequila. Seven portraits per evening, painted while guests enjoyed their night out.

"Would you paint at my wedding?"

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Rotterdam, 2026

Lunar New Year Dinner

Onni's Lunar New Year dinner brought together forty guests for an evening of food, performance, and community. Five portrait winners were drawn by raffle across the night, each revealed at the end of the evening.

Read the full story
Photo of Jun-Yi painting live portraits for Valentine's Day at Cafe Zoi in Hoorn

Hoorn, 2025

Valentine's Day at Café Zoi

Café Zoi welcomed me in for Valentine's Day to paint branded portraits of their guests. Customers could pre-order or walk in on the day. There was higher demand than I could accommodate during the session. I sold over 20 portraits and delivered the rest to the café for collection the following day!

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Two customers getting their portraits painted live in the theme of the Garden Lover.

Hoorn, 2024

Plant Market at Noorderkerk

My first live painting event. I made gardening-themed portraits throughout the market, placing each customer's face into an illustrated scene. One guest later shared that my portrait of her now hangs in a gallery wall of garden illustrations at home.

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Live Portrait Artist for Events

Live portrait painting can work at many types of events, from weddings and birthday celebrations to corporate gatherings and cultural festivals.

  • Gold ring with a diamond on a transparent background

    Weddings

  • Birthday celebrations

  • Orange folder with a document featuring checkboxes on a transparent background

    Corporate events

  • Two red Chinese lanterns on a transparent background

    Cultural celebrations

  • Private gatherings

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does live portrait painting cost for an event?

Pricing starts from €350 for cultural and private events, and from €600 for corporate and brand activations. The rate covers a set number of hours of live painting, with portraits completed on the day. Every booking is different, so get in touch with your event details and I'll put together a quote.

How long does each portrait take?

Most portraits take about 20-30 minutes. This includes sketching, painting and drying time.

Do guests need to book in advance?

It depends on the event. I offer both pre-booked slots and walk-up sessions. We can decide what suits your setting best.

What do you need for setup?

Just a small table, chair, and good lighting. I bring everything else: paper, brushes, paints, and packaging.

Ready to add something memorable to your event?

If you're planning an event and think live portrait painting could be a good fit, get in touch with your date and details and we'll go from there. I'm based in the Netherlands and happy to travel for the right event. You can also follow my latest sessions on Instagram at @portraitsbyjunyi

Create a memory

Design a card with a personalised portrait that will be treasured for years