What is Live Illustration? A guide to Live Event Illustration
What is live illustration?
You might have heard people buzzing about ‘Live Illustration’ lately after attending a conference, workshop or event. Sometimes known as ‘Graphic Recording’ or ‘Visual Note Taking, Live illustration is a way of capturing an event as it happens through drawing. Rather than relying solely on photographs or written notes, a live event illustrator creates artwork inspired by the conversations, ideas and activities taking place in the room. These drawings can be cast live onto a screen so you can watch the discussion evolve visually throughout the session.
It can be useful for conferences, AGMs, workshops, festivals, exhibitions, community events and corporate gatherings. Depending on the event, the illustrator might capture key themes from presentations, create visual summaries of discussions or draw the atmosphere and interactions throughout the day.
The result is something unique to the occasion: a collection of illustrations that tells the story of the event in a colourful, engaging and memorable way.
How does live illustration work at an event?
Every event is different, so the approach to live illustration can vary depending on the setting, audience and purpose.
As a live illustrator I personally prefer to work digitally on an iPad. This allows the drawings to be shared immediately and they can even be cast to a screen so the audience can watch. Some illustrators work using traditional materials such as pens, pencils and paper. This might suit a smaller room or more intimate setting.
Before an event, I'll ask you a bunch of questions to define our brief together. This will help me understand what you're hoping to achieve, who will be attending and how you intend to use the finished artwork.
During the event, I listen to the presentation or conversations in the room, I’ll observe the themes and draw, picking out the ideas, that feel most important.
Afterwards, the illustrations can be supplied digitally for use in reports, social media, presentations and other communications, or live as a visual record of the day.
What types of events benefit from live illustration?
Live event illustration can work in all sorts of settings, particularly where there are interesting conversations, ideas or stories to capture. The themes vary wildly from Wealth & Finance to Science, Tech , Education and Motherhood. I love learning new things nd get very excited to listen in. Here are some examples of events that would benefit from hiring a live illustrator.
Conferences and seminars
Conferences that bring together speakers, researchers and professionals to share knowledge. A conference illustrator can capture key messages from presentations, panel discussions and conversations, creating a visual record of the day.
Workshops and community engagement events
For charities, councils or universities and community organisations, live illustration can help document ideas and discussions in a way that feels approachable and engaging. Illustrations can also help participants see how their contributions fit into a bigger picture.
Research events and public engagement
Researchers often need to communicate complicated ideas to audiences outside their specialist field. Live illustration can help translate conversations and findings into accessible visual summaries that can be shared beyond the event itself.
Festivals, exhibitions and celebrations
Live drawing can capture the atmosphere of an event, from the people attending to the activities taking place. These illustrations can become a collective record of the occasion and provide distinctive content for future promotion.
Why hire a live event illustrator?
Have you ever attended a conference, made a tonne of notes in a fresh notebook, returned home only to never look at those notes again? Yes me too. I like writing notes, they help my mind connect to the words being spoken but sometimes looking back at them can be overwhelming. Having a visual record of a conversation or presentation offers a different way to revisit the day, reconnect with the ideas shared and rediscover the themes in an enjoyable and accessible way. One of the biggest benefits of live illustration is that it creates something people want to look at and engage with.
A lengthy conference report might contain lots of valuable information, but it isn't always the easiest way to share key messages. An illustrated summary can make those ideas feel more accessible.
Live illustration can:
Help communicate complicated information through images.
Create memorable content for social media and newsletters.
Provide an alternative way of documenting discussions.
Encourage engagement with an event's key themes.
Create artwork that can be reused in future communications.
What happens to the illustrations after an event?
One of my favourite things about live illustration is that the artwork can have a life beyond the event itself.
Depending on how the illustrations are created and what has been agreed, they could be used in a variety of ways.
For example, they might become part of a printed report, be shared on social media, feature in a newsletter or be incorporated into a presentation.
A collection of illustrations could even be developed into a larger visual summary of the event.
It's worth thinking about these possibilities before booking an illustrator, as the intended use can influence the format, number and style of illustrations created.
I’ve also seen visual notes used to capture a company’s values and re-developed into a mural for the office (I love this idea!)
How much does live event illustration cost?
The cost of hiring a live illustrator depends on several factors, including the length of the event, location, preparation required and how the finished artwork will be used. Online events are typically less than in person events.
A short 40 minute workshop requiring a handful of illustrations will have different requirements from a full-day conference involving multiple speakers and sessions.
When requesting a quote, it's useful to share the event date, location, timings, audience and what you'd like to receive afterwards.
It's also worth discussing whether you need illustrations delivered during the event or whether they can be prepared and supplied afterwards. Prices can range from £500 - £5000 based on the factors mentioned above. If you’d like a quote, please get in touch, outline your event and I will send you my Live Illustration Pricing Menu
How do I book a live event illustrator?
If you're considering live illustration for an upcoming event, the first step is to get in touch and tell me a little about what you're planning.
You don't need to have everything worked out. It's helpful to know the date, location, type of event and what you'd like the illustrations to achieve.
I'm an illustrator based in Warwickshire, working with organisations across the Midlands and further afield. My work often explores people, places, nature and the stories that connect us.
I particularly enjoy projects that bring people together, share knowledge and make information more accessible.
I'd love to hear about your upcoming event and explore how live illustration could be part of it.
Take a look at some of my examples of live illustration
Have questions or want a quote? Drop me a message here and I’ll get back to you.
