The top tools that live event fashion illustrators use.

Here are the top tools that live event fashion illustrators use — whether you're sketching on paper or going digital, these tools will help you capture quick, expressive, and beautiful fashion illustrations on the spot:

✏️ Traditional Tools

1. Sketchbook or Watercolour Paper Pad

• Portable and sturdy options like Moleskine Art Sketchbooks or Strathmore Watercolor Pads are ideal.

• Look for smooth or lightly textured paper that handles ink and light washes well.

2. Mechanical Pencils / Graphite Pencils

• Great for quick outlines and underdrawings.

• Brands like Pentel, Faber-Castell, or Staedtler are reliable.

3. Fine-liner Pens

• Essential for crisp linework — choose waterproof options if you use watercolors.

• Recommended: Micron (Sakura), Uni Pin, Copic Multiliners.

4. Brush Pens

• Add dynamic, calligraphic strokes quickly. Ideal for contouring and expressive lines.

• Try: Pentel Pocket Brush Pen, Tombow Dual Brush Pens.

5. Watercolor Set & Brush Pen (Water Brush)

• Compact watercolor sets like Winsor & Newton Cotman or Kuretake Gansai Tambi are perfect.

• Use refillable water brushes for a clean and mobile setup.

6. Alcohol Markers

• Fast-drying and vibrant, great for adding pops of color.

• Popular options: Copic, Promarker, Tombow ABT, or Ohuhu markers.

7. Colored Pencils or Pastels

• Layer on texture and shading, especially useful if you want a mixed-media look.

• Try Prismacolor, Caran d’Ache, or Faber-Castell Polychromos.

8. Erasable Pens or Light Grey Markers

• Perfect for building up form and shadows subtly, then drawing over.

• Use Pilot FriXion pens or soft grey Copics.

9. Portable Easel or Lap Desk

• A compact easel or foldable lap desk gives you comfort and structure at events.

10. Fixative Spray (optional)

• Helps preserve your sketches if using pencil or charcoal. Spray lightly post-event.

💻 Digital Tools

11. iPad Pro + Apple Pencil

• The industry standard for digital live sketching.

• Paired with apps like Procreate, Adobe Fresco, or Clip Studio Paint, you can sketch, color, and even animate on the go.

12. Portable Battery Pack / Power Bank

• Essential if you're sketching digitally at long events — keep your devices charged.

13. Touchscreen Glove

• Prevents accidental touch marks and improves drawing experience on tablets.

14. Stylus-friendly Gloves for Smudge Control (Traditional Drawing)

• Keep your hands and artwork clean during long sessions.

15. Portable Scanner / Smartphone Scanner App

• Apps like Adobe Scan, CamScanner, or iScanner let you digitize your work quickly for posting or sharing.

👜 Event Essentials

16. Stylish but Functional Bag or Art Case

• Something that’s professional, sleek, and holds all your essentials neatly.

17. Business Cards / QR Code

• Hand out cards or display a QR code linked to your Instagram or portfolio.

18. Lightweight Tabletop Display Easel

• Show your work or sample sketches to attract guests and clients at events.

19. Wet Wipes or Cloth

• Keep your hands and tools clean, especially when working with markers or watercolors.

20. Portfolio or Flipbook

• Bring a curated selection of your work in a physical or digital format to show potential clients on the spot.