Katie Chappell’s Live Illustrations Provide Great Entertainment

Illustrator Katie Chappell is a real busy bee, illustrating for books and websites, she also runs creative workshops and lectures part-time. But she’s probably best known for her live illustrations, commissioned by brands and universities. Her clients include giants like Dove, Nespresso, and Stella Artois, with her live illustrations varying from custom Nespresso cups to giant window paintings.

“I offer live illustration for brand promotional events, parties, weddings, and meetings,” she relayed in an interview with Printed. “Being able to capture information in a visual way is great, and I love the challenge of listening carefully and draw quickly at the same time.”

According to Chappell, the thing that makes live illustration (as opposed to “offline” illustration), especially special is being able to watch the illustration unfold in front of your eyes and having something drawn just for you. “Being able to witness that is something very special,” she notes, adding that “people are always very excited when they realize what you’re doing and why you are there. There’s always this skeptical moment when someone is trying to figure out what is going on, and then they want to get involved!”

Amongst her many sources of inspiration, she counts plants and nature, old packaging designs, and travel adventures with a bag full of paint and sketchbooks. “Travelling and drawing are two of my favorite things, and to be able to do both makes me so happy,” she says. “Also, the fear of working in an office keeps me going when I need motivation. The internet is great for building a sense of community – I find Instagram very helpful for keeping in touch with fellow illustrators. It’s very inspiring to see what everyone else is creating every day.”

See her in motion, live or via Instagram: