live event illustration
I draw your guests live, in ink and watercolour, while the evening happens around them. Every face starts wet and finishes in minutes — and they take it home.
what it is
Live event illustration is entertainment that people keep. I set up with ink, watercolour and paper, and draw guests one at a time through the evening. There is no screen, no printer and no queue management — just a person watching their own face appear in front of them.
It works because it slows a room down. People gather to watch, they talk to each other while they wait, and everyone leaves holding an original painting with your event on it rather than a photo they will never print.
I'm a fashion illustrator based in Hackney, London, and I was named Live Event Artist of the Year at the 8th FIDA Worldwide Fashion Illustration Awards in 2023, after taking the Artistic Award in 2022.
where I've drawn
- London Fashion WeekDrawing live with FIDA Worldwide and Drawing Cabaret Couture.
- SHOWstudioContributor, including a live Nick Knight shoot and the Milan womenswear shows.
- In-Residence, IslingtonLive drawing and hands-on workshops at the lifestyle store.
- Exhibitions across LondonThe Inky Faces series has featured in Suboart Magazine and T Magazine China.
how a booking works
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Tell me about the event
Date, venue, roughly how many guests and how long you'd like me drawing. Message me on Instagram and we'll talk it through.
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We agree the shape of it
How many hours, how many faces that realistically means, and whether you want anything on the paper — a date, a venue name, a logo.
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I arrive and set up
I bring everything: paper, inks, watercolour, board and a small table if the venue can't provide one. I need a corner with reasonable light.
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Guests take their faces home
Each portrait goes to the person in it, dry and ready to carry. If you'd rather collect them for a display or a gift drop, we can do that instead.
sessions
Every event is different, so I quote per booking — tell me the date, the venue and roughly how many guests and I'll come straight back with a price. London and surrounding areas; travel further afield is quoted on top.
Frequently asked questions
How many people can you draw in an hour?
It depends on how loose you want them. A quick, gestural face takes a few minutes; something more finished takes longer. We'll agree a realistic number for your guest list before the day so nobody is left waiting.
What do you need from the venue?
A corner with decent light, a table if you have one, and somewhere the paintings can lie flat for a few minutes while they dry. I bring all the materials myself.
Do guests keep the paintings?
Usually, yes — that's most of the appeal. If you'd rather keep them together as a set, for a display or to send out afterwards, that works too.
Do you travel outside London?
Yes. I'm based in Hackney and available for events in London and beyond. Travel outside London is quoted on top of the session rate.
Can the artwork carry our branding?
Within reason. A date, a venue name or a light brand mark can sit on the paper. The portraits themselves stay hand-drawn and unbranded — that's what makes them worth keeping.
How far ahead should we book?
The earlier the better, particularly around London Fashion Week and the December party season. Message me on Instagram with your date and I'll tell you straight away whether it's free.
book a date
The quickest way to reach me is Instagram. Send me the date, the venue and roughly how many guests, and I'll come back to you.
@inkyfacesfashionbunnysmith