Live illustration

is a genre within the illustration and design field in which the artist creates works in the moment and often by hand in front of an audience during special events such as fashion shows, galas, and in-store experiences.

The resulting artworks can for example be inspired by event guests, models, products, and scenes. The works may include branded content and specific elements as agreed with the client and applied for commercial use as well as exclusive giveaways as originals, prints, or digital images. In addition the works may be displayed in the client’s space as decorative art while commemorating special moments and the subjects which inspired them.

Live illustrations also provide a unique artistic take on documenting happenings and personalities while highlighting essence, energy, and mood. Other applications include customizing client’s products or spaces as well as engaging art performances during events and productions.

My Story

As an artist and illustrator I am truly fascinated by real life interactions with people. After growing up in Helsinki my journey began in Brussels from where I started illustrating models backstage at Paris Fashion Week shows including Jean Paul Gaultier and Dior homme. Drawing live at fashion shows led to me to illustrating for magazines, commercial clients, as well as exclusive events and galas around the world. One of these events brought me to USA, where I am currently based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

With my ‘Traveling Atelier’ I bring an artist studio ambiance wherever I go enabling event guests to immerse in my creative process. I excel when there is buzz around me and enjoy an audience watching me work. I work very quickly interacting with my subjects and materials and my process has a performative aspect, which is an integral part of the experience and outcomes. My best artworks are results of this performance and the interactions with my audience and media.

I mostly work with mixed media, such as pencils, pastel, and gouache on paper and often include unconventional materials like spray paint, glitter, and make-up products. The scale of my works ranges from 11 x 14 inch portraits or smaller to poster size illustrations and large scale paintings and murals.

Frequent commissions include illustrating live at fashion shows, in-store events, product launches, and galas. Clients also introduce exciting new ideas, such as doing beauty portraits with make-up, capturing ballet dancers during a performance, and working in tandem with fashion photographers at a global creative campaign shoot.

How does it work?

EVENTS
I will setup my ‘Traveling Atelier’ at the event location to create live illustrations of predetermined subjects. The default setup includes a drawing easel and one or two tables for my materials as well as optional studio lights, backdrops, and custom gift boxes. Setting up and breaking down typically takes 1-2 hours and ideally happens a day before and after the event. Setting up in advance also creates excitement for the upcoming event, especially in-store and gallery spaces and can include a showcase of previous works. As agreed together with the client I will either work for a specified duration of time or do a fixed number of artworks. I can do around 3-7 live illustrations per hour depending on complexity and scale. This number enables each guest to have a truly personal and interactive art experience. Establishing a timed appointment system for portraits is advised to help maximize the number of works. The resulting original illustrations will be signed and dated and packaged in customized gift boxes or clear art sleeves. The works should ideally be allowed to dry overnight to prevent smudging. We can also digitize the works before handing them out for commercial and documentary purposes.

FASHION SHOWS
I prefer to work at the backstage in a ‘fly on the wall’ manner, quietly observing, with a compact set of materials on my person and focusing on models getting dressed, lining up for the runway, or posing for photos. I may also ask models to do quick poses for me. The resulting minimal yet energetic live fashion illustrations capture the mood of the designer’s creations and the scene at the show as seen by me. In addition to documenting looks of the season the works become timeless and unique pieces of art for collectors and high end publications. I choose my subjects and draw what catches my eye at the moment, but I may also illustrate specific looks, details, and models when asked. When the drawings are completed they will be stacked in a compact travel case and digitized after the show.

PRICING
I accept projects big and small and work together with the client to come up with an ideal proposal based on the scope and available budget, resources, and timeframe. I work with a fixed fee structure, which includes the performance, materials, number of original illustrations, and travel costs. The client pays 50% deposit in advance and the remaining half upon completion of the project. Copyrighted use of resulting digitized artworks will be invoiced separately and the fee is based on variables, such as the number of images, format, area, and duration.

Inquire

Case Studies

Misha Nonoo

Commissioned project to create an illustration for Misha Nonoo fall/winter 2015-2016 New York fashion week show program booklet and to illustrate models live at the backstage. The resulting live illustrations were digitized and used for Misha Nonoo social media and website.

Saks Fifth Avenue

Live portrait drawing at Saks Fifth Avenue Cincinnati store Beauty Event in September 2021 with featured cosmetic products.

At the event participating customers received a hand–made portrait giveaway, drawn live by me and handed out in a customized Saks Fifth Avenue gift box.

The setup, which was done the day before, enabled customers to immerse in Jarno’s “Traveling Atelier” ambiance and included a display of previous fashion illustrations, helping to create excitement for the live event.

The illustration session resulted in 7 signed and hand–made fashion portraits, which the clients took home with their other purchases.

Jimmy Choo

A charity campaign with footwear and accessory brand Jimmy Choo, benefitting the JCM Foundation.

The Atlanta (USA) based JCM Foundation—raising money and awareness for early detection and cure for Pancreatic Cancer—invited Jarno Kettunen and fashion company Jimmy Choo to partner together for its ArtCAN 2021 fundraiser event.

This unique and exclusive collaboration resulted in a printed T-shirt capsule collection featuring Jarno Kettunen’s custom made fashion illustrations as well as a live in-store portrait drawing and shopping event at the Jimmy Choo Atlanta store in December 2021.

The fundraiser continues in 2022 with the sale of à la mode JCM Foundation x Jimmy Choo x Jarno Kettunen abstract art printed super-soft cotton T-shirts, available in both womenswear and unisex styles.

Chanel Coco Codes 2017 Make-up Collection Live Portrait Drawings

Commissioned live portrait illustrations of members of PRESS done with Chanel COCO CODES spring 2017 make-up collection in Amsterdam and Brussels. The resulting artworks were signed, photographed, and handed out as exclusive gifts in custom display cases.