London
Live Event Illustrator London
Tracey Smith is an award-winning live event illustrator and live event artist based in London, creating hand-drawn ink and watercolour portraits in real time at events across the city and beyond.
Working at corporate events, fashion shows, weddings, brand launches and private occasions, Tracey draws each guest live — producing a finished, framed-quality portrait they take home on the night. Each piece is entirely hand-drawn in ink and watercolour: no prints, no templates, no digital shortcuts.
What live event illustration involves
How it works at your event
Live portrait illustration
Corporate events
Fashion activations
Weddings and private occasions
Openings and cultural events
Catwalk and live drawing
An award-winning live event artist
Tracey is the winner of the Live Event Artist of the Year award at the 8th Fida Worldwide Fashion Illustration Awards 2023 — the leading international award specifically for live event illustration work. She also holds the Artistic Award from the 5th Fida Worldwide Fashion Illustration Awards 2022.
Her live event illustration work spans corporate clients, fashion brands and private occasions across London. She has drawn live at London Fashion Week alongside Fida Worldwide, at Drawing Cabaret Couture, as artist in residence at Fashion Scout, and at markets, studio open days and cultural events across the city.
She has also been commissioned by Showstudio — Nick Knight's fashion film and photography platform — where she drew live on set during a shoot for Showstudio Advent 2024. Her illustration work has appeared in T Magazine China and The Fible, Fida Worldwide's annual book of contemporary fashion illustrators.
Why live illustration at your event
A live event illustrator creates something that no other entertainment can: a finished, hand-made artwork that each guest receives personally and takes home. Portraits are completed in real time — the experience of watching your portrait being drawn is itself part of the occasion.
Unlike photobooths or digital experiences, a hand-drawn portrait in ink and watercolour is a lasting object. It's the kind of thing people frame. That makes live illustration one of the most memorable activations an event can offer — and one of the most-photographed, too.
Tracey works efficiently and unobtrusively, drawing steadily throughout your event window and ensuring every guest who wants a portrait gets one. She brings all materials and is set up and ready from the moment guests arrive.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
- What does a live event illustrator do?
- A live event illustrator attends your event and draws guests in real time — typically producing a hand-drawn ink and watercolour portrait of each person, which they keep as a personal memento. Tracey works across corporate events, fashion activations, weddings and private occasions in London and beyond.
- How long does each portrait take?
- Each portrait typically takes around 10–15 minutes to complete. At a typical evening event Tracey can draw 12–20 guests, depending on the format and how the event flows. For larger events or longer time slots, numbers can be discussed in advance.
- What events do you cover as a live event artist?
- Corporate events, team days, brand activations, fashion shows, gallery openings, weddings, milestone birthdays, parties and cultural occasions. If you have something specific in mind, get in touch to discuss — Tracey is happy to work with unusual or bespoke formats.
- Are you based in London?
- Yes — Tracey is based in Hackney, East London, and is available for live illustration events throughout London and further afield. She has drawn at events across the UK and internationally, including Gather Festival in Greece.
- How do I book a live event illustrator for my event?
- Get in touch directly at fashion_bunny@hotmail.com or call +44 7790 428950 to discuss your event, date and requirements. Tracey is happy to talk through what works best for your occasion before you commit to a booking.
Commission
Book Tracey for your event
If you're looking for a live event illustrator for a corporate event, wedding, brand activation or private occasion in London, please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
Tracey works with event organisers, brand teams, wedding planners and private clients. She is available for bookings throughout London and for events further afield — and is happy to discuss bespoke arrangements for unusual formats or larger-scale occasions.
Work is also available via the online shop and through stockists including In-Residence Lifestyle Store in Islington and Edy and Bridge in Nunhead.