Sunwoo Mansour — Live Event Illustrator, Sydney

Moments of surprise and delight. This is what Sydney-based live event illustrator Sunwoo Mansour brings to brand activations, corporate events, charity events, private celebrations and, of course, weddings. “Seeing an artist drawing live often sparks curiosity, and receiving a personalised portrait creates a very memorable experience,” says Sunwoo.

Guests at events Sunwoo has drawn at sometimes tell her that sitting for and receiving their portrait was the best part of attending. In corporate settings, Sunwoo’s presence is a highlight, encouraging engagement and adding to the immersive nature of the event. When brands celebrate the launch of products, having a live illustrator on hand is part of the entertainment and stimulates interaction. And at weddings there’s a strong sense that Sunwoo is creating memories – people often frame her work afterwards, a keepsake that lasts for years. Sunwoo brings with her not just creativity but a depth of expertise. She studied Visual Communication Design in Korea, before moving to Australia. Her art training covered observational drawing and composition – skills she uses to produce beautiful artwork in an instant, which is infused with personality.

Approach

Sunwoo tailors her approach and media selection to the individual needs of her client. First, she finds out about the nature, purpose and character of the function and the visual direction her client wants to go in. For more formal events, she might use inks and produce sharp line work with a more controlled palette. Weddings and celebrations may call for coloured pencils for vibrancy or soft, Holbein watercolours to create a more delicate or romantic atmosphere.

Styles

Sunwoo draws and paints with speed and precision yet manages to evoke plenty of nuance in each piece she creates. Her style is an adaptation of her wider illustrative approach, capturing the personality of the guest and giving them elegance and poise, with unique details that capture the moment.

Languages

English and Korean

Client list

Sunwoo’s clients include Netflix, Amazon, Harvey Norman, The Langham Sydney, K’dor x Rolls Royce, Autore Moda, The Executive Centre and BNAH and more.