Challenging himself to step out of the gallery and into the real world, Muhammad Asyraaf Juhan, a fine-arts graduate from Universiti Teknologi Mara, is among the few artists who offer the unique service of painting memories for newlyweds.
The 26-year-old, who also teaches at Art Core Malaysia, told FMT he was initially hesitant to step into the field. “I used to have a hard time working under pressure – I couldn’t rush my paintings,” he said.
Starting with commissions that took days to complete, the Gombak native can now produce artwork in three to six hours during the course of a wedding ceremony.
“The fastest I have completed a piece is around three hours and 45 minutes, although the timing depends on the wedding decorations,” he shared.
Asyraaf usually paints elements of the background, such as the wedding dais, before the bride and groom arrive, and continues with the couple’s portrait only once they are on the main stage.
“Weddings are hectic, so when the bride and groom arrive, I immediately stop work on the background and start on them, because they’re the most important part of the painting,” said Asyraaf, who has been offering this service for nearly a year.
Even under pressure, he pays close attention to detail: lighting, event atmosphere, and the couple’s movements make the task all the more challenging.
Still, his effort pays off when Asyraaf sees the bride and groom visibly moved by their special moment captured on canvas.
“Their reactions and those of their family members … seeing their smiles, some even brought to tears – those are the moments I cherish most as a wedding artist.”
Asyraaf actively livestreams on social media while painting, which has led many followers to reach out and ask about his services. He is now fully booked until the middle of next year.
His prices range from RM500 to RM2,000, depending on the size of the painting. Asyraaf revealed he can earn up to RM8,000 a month – something he’d never imagined possible.
Asked about the future, he replied: “I want to reach a point where I have my own company and can hire other artists to work with me.”
Follow Asyraaf Juhan on Instagram.