Introduction: Mr. and Mrs. Asbury-Ellins Wedding Portrait

When I attended the wedding of my dear friends, Mr. and Mrs. Asbury-Ellins, I had no idea I’d later create a wedding portrait painting for them. As I reflected on their special day, I wanted to gift them something meaningful to commemorate it. The challenge was working from photographs I hadn’t taken myself. While modern wedding photography often avoids direct eye contact, I believe that the most impactful portraits are those where sitters engage directly with the viewer. For this piece, I selected the one photograph that I felt could translate into a strong painting, and I’m pleased with how it turned out.

The Challenge: Painting from Indirect Photography

Creating this portrait required working with a photograph that wasn’t designed for painting. The couple wasn’t engaging directly with the camera, which is often a preference or a stylistic trend in wedding photography. From a painter’s perspective, this lack of direct eye contact posed a challenge, as eyes provide the humanity and life that make portraits truly compelling. Additionally, the fabric and finer details of the wedding dress required careful attention to balance the couple’s faces with the rest of the composition.

The Process: Crafting the Asbury-Ellins Portrait

• Selecting the Image: After reviewing available photos, I chose the one I felt worked best for a portrait. While the couple wasn’t making eye contact with the viewer, the image offered a strong sense of their bond and natural connection.

• Abstract Background: To focus attention on the couple, I softened the background with an abstract blur. This choice allowed their expressions and details to stand out while maintaining a sense of intimacy.

• Details and Enhancements: I worked to highlight the intricate fabric of the wedding dress and added vivid complementary colors—purples and yellows—in subtle highlights within the hair. These touches brought energy and dimension to the painting while remaining faithful to the couple’s likeness.

• Composition Choices: At this size, I typically wouldn’t include hands, but I felt they worked beautifully in this piece. The addition of hands added to the sense of connection between the couple and grounded the composition.

The Outcome

The final portrait captures Mr. and Mrs. Asbury-Ellins in a way that reflects their love and partnership. The soft, abstract background frames their faces, allowing the detail and texture of the painting to shine. While the lack of direct eye contact diverges from my usual style, I believe the painting achieves its goal of celebrating their special day. The intricate fabric of the wedding dress and subtle color accents add depth and vibrancy, making this piece a heartfelt tribute to their union.

Reflections

This project reinforced the importance of selecting the right reference materials for a painting. While working from existing photography presented challenges, it also allowed me to explore creative solutions. I learned more about balancing detail with abstraction and found areas—like subtle colour work in the hair—where I can continue to improve. Above all, this portrait reminded me of the joy of creating something meaningful for friends.

If you’re looking to commemorate a special moment like your wedding, let’s create a timeless and personal piece. Request a quote or arrange a complimentary consultation to explore the possibilities of a bespoke wedding portrait.