Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT LIVE ILLUSTRATION SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
Currently my main services include live portrait and fashion figure sketching for humans and animals (yes, that also includes pet birthday parties, which I love!). I have also enjoyed more unusual projects including Live Concept Illustration (i.e. combining and illustrating ideas provided by the guests into one image), as well as Group Guided Illustration activities for parties with young children. Please feel free to get in touch with any ideas you may have for an event -- I'm always open to trying something new!
WHAT IS YOUR PRICING FOR LIVE ILLUSTRATION or CUSTOM ARTWORK?
Live Event Illustration rates will vary by duration and location, but in general I provide a flat rate/amount that includes time/travel/materials, and any other additional services required. Locals (within 1 hour one-way commute) may be eligible for my Local's Rate. Custom artwork pricing will range depending on factors such as size, complexity, interest, and desired turnaround. Please contact me for current rates. Holiday or evening rates may apply.
DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS?
At this time I am not offering discounts, typically. That being said, I am very interested in finding ways to support those who may not be able to purchase my services, so please feel free to reach out and perhaps we can find an alternative. For example: providing portrait illustrations individually as a for-purchase option at a fundraising event, and splitting the profits with the organization
WHAT MATERIALS DO YOU USE?
For events, my standard materials include 9"x12" 100# sheets, brush pen markers like Tombow or Kuretake Zig, and ink brush pens for fine details. Guests will also receive plastic sleeves to protect their drawings from spills and stains throughout the event. Custom artwork projects may range from charcoal to watercolor to acrylics, but no oil paintings at this time.
DO YOU OFFER CUSTOMIZATION SERVICES FOR LIVE ILLUSTRATION?
Yes, with 3-4 weeks notice I do offer custom stamped paper as an additional purchase option for live event illustration. Clients will be asked to provide a single-color, high resolution image of their intended design or logo, which I then order onto a stamp and apply to each drawing sheet for the event. For alternate paper sizing or materials, please contact me for more information on availability and suitability for your project.
WHAT TYPE OF CUSTOMERS DO YOU WORK WITH?
My customers include both private clients and public companies, as well as guests of all ages from 1 to 100! I am happy to support all event types including birthdays, graduations, and weddings for private clients, as well as coordinating with corporate teams for team building and promotional events.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO BOOK?
The best time to book is as early as possible! If your desired date has already been claimed, occasionally I am able to schedule two events per day, however this is not always possible depending on event duration and location. Please consider booking at least 3-4 months in advance for best chances of securing your preferred time slot. If the event date is flexible, customers may also wish to schedule for an early weekday as there is much less competition then. Top busy days tend to be Thursday through Sunday.
WHAT QUALITIES SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN AN ARTIST?
Once you've found an artist whose style you enjoy, you might ask: what kind of atmosphere do you want for your event? Based on their previous client reviews, will this person match or add to the energy of your guests? A quick call or message with the artist can be a great way to determine if they're a good fit.
HOW MANY ARTISTS SHOULD I HIRE FOR MY EVENT? (Long answer ahead, sorry!)
This number will depend on a few factors. In addition to the artist's drawing rate (portraits/hour), you might also consider how many guests you expect and how many activities will also be running simultaneously.
For an event where live illustration is intended as the main entertainment and you expect 100% guests interest, the artist's drawing rate will be the main factor in how many artists are required. For example, my drawing rate for quick portrait sketching is around 5-7 minutes per person, which translates to around 9-12 people per hour if the line is back-to-back. For an event with 36 people, I would probably require 3-4 hours.
However for an event like a wedding, for example, you may have a very large guest list, but live illustration is one of many entertainment options. In this case we may only be able to cover 30 - 50% of guests, but if there isn't an opportunity to be drawn that's OK because there are alternatives. To ensure 100% coverage for large groups, I would recommend either multiple artists or the option to extend a booking if desired.
Overall I would also note that while the drawing station does tend to be quite popular once people see what is being offered, there will almost always be some who just don't want a drawing either out of disinterest or discomfort (it can be very weird to be stared at by a stranger!), so 100% guest buy-in is not typical. For large events especially, I will also bring a sign-up sheet that explicitly notes the start and end times, and estimated limit for number of guests possible; this helps to give guests a realistic expectation for the event timeline, and also allows them to go enjoy other activities if they won't be able to receive a drawing.