How to choose between Traditional Live Illustration and Dynamic Live Illustration?

Traditional Live Illustration is a fairly new, and very welcome phenomenon. Dynamic Live Illustration is a term I have made up, because I don't know how else to describe it. Immersive Live Illustration, perhaps?

Whatever it is officially, Dynamic Live Illustration is what I call it when I take my big piece of foam board around with me to events, and I try to capture the atmosphere in one whole scene- as mentioned in my last Google Post at the Classic Car Boot Sale.

It's a thing that I first saw being done during a Chanel catwalk show, posted on Instagram. There was an amazing artist, painting the show live. All the models and the giant flowers! I can't remember his name- please remind me if you know who he was. He was holding a a large canvas, attached around his shoulder by a strap and he had all his paints hanging from him. I was so inspired by him, I bought my little waitress apron for my pens and started carrying my giant foam boards around.

Can’t decide whether to have Traditional Live Guest Illustration or a Dynamic Live Illustration at your next event?

Here are the differences in bullet points, to help you decide!

 Traditional Live Guest Illustration

•                          I take a guest reference photograph on arrival.

•                          I stay in one place with my equipment around me.

•                          I create a full-colour portrait illustration of each guest. 

•                          I produces elegant line work; hand-drawn with brush pen, hand-coloured with Copic marker pens.

•                          If required, I can print bespoke event header/footer or subtle branding on A5 size 300gsm white card.

•                          Each portrait is drawn on A5 size 300gsm white card.

•                          The live artwork is displayed throughout the event, this enhances interaction between guests.

•                          Each portrait is given a protective presentation wrap.

•                          Completed portraits are distributed before guests leave.

•                          After the event, I send a digital file of all the drawings to the organiser/host.

Dynamic Live Event Illustration

•                          I create an A1-size commemorative drawing of the event, created live during the event.

•                          If required, bespoke branding can be added to the A1-size foam board.

•                          I scan the room (with my eyes) to plan the layout of the illustration.

•                          I begin with hand-drawn bold shapes, emphasising the main elements of the surroundings.

•                          Blocks of colour are added with Posca pens and Copic Marker pens.

•                          Guests are added to the background drawing

•                          I carry the drawing, and my pens, around the venue and interact with guests.

•                          Guests love to see the artwork unfold- from a blank piece of foam board to a dynamic scene.

•                          I draws guests using a brush pen, I incorporates details so that guests can recognise themselves.

•                          The completed drawing is given to the event organiser or host to display.

•                          Prints, postcards and other merchandise can be given to the guests as thank you mementoes after the event.

Still have questions? Do get in touch, book a call here or email me here