FAQ- Live Sketching Guest Portraits at Events

Live Sketching Guest Portraits OR Live Illustration for Weddings , Bat/ Bar Mitzvahs, Corporate Events

Watching a live event illustrator sketch or paint your guests at your event will make it a very memorable experience . 

I have been a live event artist since 2016 and it brings me great joy to sketch at events and be around people.  I have worked within the Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland area and travelled to New York , Boston etc to sketch live at events.

Live sketching guest portraits has become immensely popular over the past few years, owing to its exposure to social media .

I am asked a lot of questions about this very special skill . I put together the most frequently asked questions about Live sketching at weddings, corporate parties etc.

What is Live Sketching ? 

It is the art of sketching a person’s portrait in real time at an event - conferences, parties etc . It is a memorable experience for whoever is being sketched . The artist sketches live while people can watch it happen real time . It really does elevate an event’s atmosphere with a live sketch artist.

Who is live sketching for ? Who would like Live Sketching ?

 Live event sketching adds a layer of a creative theme to all kinds of events - weddings , corporate parties,  brand activations, product launches, conferences.

Brands, Luxury Stores utilize live sketching at promotional events , product launches, fashion shows very often. 

This is how I started as a live illustrator OR live sketch artist OR live event artist . There are so many ways to describe what I do ! I started working with luxury stores and brands at their events. It really added another layer of luxury as the client would get a complimentary sketch of themselves with a purchase at the store or with a particular brand.

Some of my clients for whom I have sketched live are are Saks Fifth Avenue , Bloomingdales, Giorgio Armani etc.

It works really well for the guests at weddings . Live sketches work beautifully as a unique way to capture the outfits . The gestural artwork varies from artist to artist , but the idea is to capture the essence of the guest at the event. 

Couples can get a sketch for themselves as well ! 

I’ve live sketched guest portraits for Corporate clients, non-profit agencies , fundraisers etc for their events .

Is Live Sketching the same as Live Wedding Painting ?

Having a live sketch artist to sketch as many people as possible is different from Live Wedding Painting. Anyone who is sketched at the wedding / event gets their own sketch at the end of the event.

Live Wedding Painting is an exclusive piece of artwork created by the artist for the couple to keep for themselves. 

What is the process for live sketching ? 

While the nature of the event may vary - corporate or private - the process is very similar . Every client has their own vision and I will work with each client to bring it to fruition. 

I arrive 30- 45 minutes ahead of the event and start setting up for the event. I will need a table and chair . Once the event starts , I have a sign up sheet for guests to enter their name + email address/ phone number . I will take a picture of the guest(s) and start sketching according to the order of the list. They do not have to sit and pose for me , they are more than welcome to watch me sketch :) 

They can pick up their sketch from me at the end of the event . Sketches that are not completed will be finished after the event mailed to the client . 

Digital sketches will be emailed to the guests within a few days. 

If the client/ couple choose to have additional / overtime sketches , the Client will receive the sketches post the event / wedding. 

How many live sketches can be expected at an event ? How much time does it take to sketch a person ? 

While every artist's style and speed varies , I can sketch about 10 guests per hour ,  depending on how busy it is or the complexity of the sketch etc

I typically take 7-10 minutes to sketch ONE person. This depends on the complexity of the sketch + outfits and how busy the event gets. I am going to say this on behalf of all artists and it may not be what anyone wants to say out loud since we all love what we do and want this service to be a desired one.

We , as artists , can work fast. Sketching a person takes time. But to do it. under 10 minutes is fast . That is a skill that I have honed through hours and hours + years of practice.

I see there is a mounting pressure ( mostly due to social media ) to sketch more than 15 -20 people in an hour. It also depends on each artists’ style. Some artists do not sketch facial details. Some have very gestural qualities to the facial details. I sketch the facial details - eyes , nose etc. But that is as fast as I can go .

We are artists - not printers. Everything is done by hand and I really think THAT is a special quality . We cannot mass produce sketches - at least I can’t . Its original art created on the spot and it can’t be compared to prints.

I believe my work speaks for itself and I hope it speaks to you as well. I want my clients and their guests to cherish their sketch and leave the event with something memorable. My hope is they will frame it in their home . What’s the point if I churn out sketches of 20 people and it bears no semblance to the person at all. There is no attachment to it and it might just end up in the recycling bin.

What are additional / overtime sketches ? 

Sometimes the couple/ client would like to have as many guests sketched . I discuss this with the client ahead of the event to understand the requirements. I only sign up the number of people I can sketch while I am at the event ( for a 4 hour event , its 40 people ) . Clients can request me to stay overtime and I can sign up more people accordingly . Hourly rate applies for this option.

The other option is , creating additional sketches after the event. The cost would be based on per sketch . I will complete over time sketches post the event and mail them to the client in 10-14 business days.

Do you travel to sketch live at weddings and other events ? 

I'm based in the Washington DC metro area in the US. Depending on my availability , I can travel to sketch at your wedding or other corporate events . Additional travel fees may apply. 

I hope this gives you an idea about how live sketching or live illustration of guest portraits work . If you have any other questions about live sketching and /or would like to work with me , reach out to me !