What To Expect When Booking A Live Illustrator
So you’d like to book a live illustrator for your event - how exciting! If you’ve never booked an illustrator before, I’ve put together some advice on what to expect from the experience.
Photo by Rosie Bowers
Before You Book
Think about what kind of illustration you are looking for at your event. If you’re booking an illustrator for your wedding day, you may be looking for live full length fashion portraits, quick head and shoulders portraits, or larger paintings of your ceremony, venue and other details from the day.
If you are booking an illustrator for an in-store event, or a product brand launch, or a private corporate event, look at how many guests you will have and how many portraits you are expecting.
Think about the style of illustration that you would like. Do you prefer loose and relaxed, watercolour, acrylic, oil paints or marker pens? The style will dictate how many portraits the illustrator can create as well. My personal style is a combination of watercolour and brush pen details created in a quick, relaxed and fun style.
The Booking Process
To book me as a live illustrator for your wedding or live event, you need to fill in my contact form and include details such as your event date and location. as well as the number of guests.
Once I receive your enquiry I will let you know if I have availability for your date, and will share details of my live illustration packages and prices.
We can also have a virtual coffee and chat to discuss the best live illustration package for your event.
When you’ve decided which package you’d like to book, I will send over a contract to confirm all the details of the booking as well as an invoice for a 25% deposit of the total fee.
Photo by Rosie Bowers
The Live Illustration Experience
To set up at your event, I will need a table and chair at dining table height. I will also need space to set up a small standing easel to display the portraits as I create them.
I usually request that I have an indoor space to work in, but I’m also happy to work outside as long as sufficient cover is provided and it’s not raining as paper, watercolour and wet weather don’t mix well.
I will arrive around half an hour before my booked time slot to set up my illustraiton station, and once guests start arriving I will either start painting them whilst they pose live, or I will take a quick reference photo to work from and add them to my list.
I do portraits on a first come first served basis, and will only be able to create a certain number of portraits, depending on the number of hours I have been booked for. I work quickly and usually create a portrait of a couple every 10 minutes.
Working from reference photos means that I can also continue working on portraits whilst your guests enjoy a drink or meal, and they can collect their portrait when they are ready.
After The Event
If you have booked me for your wedding day, I will create your A4 bridal couple portrait after the event so that I can add more details. I can also create further guest portraits in my studio from reference photos which I can then post out to you.
If you have any ideas for additional portraits or elements of the day that you would like me to capture from photos, please do let me know.
Photo by Rosie Bowers
Frequently Asked Questions About Live Illustrators
I’ve created a list of FAQs that I’m often asked about to help you plan for your event:
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I am based in Reading, Berkshire in the UK, and all my prices include travel within 1 hour of Reading. However I am happy to travel to other locations in the UK and abroad, depending on my availability. I charge additional travel and accomodation costs where required.
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i create my portraits using professional quality watercolours and brush pens, which have vibrant colours that do not fade. I paint on 300gsm watercolour paper and package all my portraits in biodegradable cellophane bags.
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My guest portrait illustraitons are A5 size, and my ceremony illustrations are on A3 paper. My bridal couple portraits are on A4 paper.
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I bring tabletop easels to work from, as well as a standing easel and display board for finished portraits. I also bring signage and examples of portraits as well as all my art materials.
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I ask for a table and chair at dining table height. Depending on the location of your event I can bring my own table if required.
I also need to work in a well lit space, ideally indoors if possible.
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My prices will depend of the length of time you would like to book me for and how many portraits or illustrations you are looking for. You can get in touch via my contact form to find out more and receive a copy of my latest brochure.
