"I used to cry in the toilets before every job (and then I'd go draw)" - a live illustration chat with Katie
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In this candid and inspiring live chat, illustrator Katie shares her journey from anxiety-ridden beginnings—crying in toilets before gigs—to becoming a sought-after live illustrator whose work thrives on human vulnerability and spontaneity. She addresses the growing fear among emerging artists that AI will replace live illustration, arguing instead that AI’s strength in generating safe, formulaic visuals only highlights the irreplaceable value of human presence, risk, and imperfection. Katie emphasizes that clients increasingly want real humans in the room—not just drawings—because the act of live creation is visceral, magical, and deeply engaging, especially in corporate and educational settings. She also tackles the ethical dilemma of working for free, urging artists to avoid exploitative 'training' gigs and instead build portfolios independently, leveraging local opportunities and SEO to grow sustainably. Her insights into the mental and creative strategies behind live illustration—like time-blocking pages, using metaphors, and embracing chaos—reveal a discipline that blends storytelling, rapid synthesis, and emotional intelligence. The episode closes with an exciting announcement: the upcoming launch of her live illustration course on May 15th, and a playful idea for a live art club to bring the magic of real-time drawing to life.
Live illustration is more valuable than ever in the AI era because it thrives on human imperfection, risk, and presence.
Clients pay for the experience of watching a real person create live—especially in high-stakes environments like corporate events.
Working for free to 'build your skills' is often exploitative and damages industry rates; instead, build your portfolio independently.
Use local SEO and niche targeting (e.g., 'illustrator Birmingham') to land well-paid, meaningful work without relying on big agencies.
Prepare mentally and visually: use time slots on your page, develop metaphor libraries, and embrace clichés as starting points.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Is Live Illustration Safe from AI?
“Being a human is so much more valuable... it sounds crazy to even say that out loud, like being a human is a USP.”
The Power of Imperfection and Presence
“When I feel like I might cry, the magic happens. I feel like that too... the best work happens when I'm out in my sketchbook and it rains or I'm getting in everybody's way.”
Why Clients Crave Human Artists
Katie shares how clients increasingly demand her physical presence, not just the output. She describes the excitement of being on stage, drawing in real time, and how this creates a powerful, memorable experience that AI cannot replicate.
The Ethics of Working for Free
“You will never feel ready. So don't wait for this magic moment when you're like, now I am ready to charge. You just have to start charging.”
Local Work, Big Pay: The Power of Niche SEO
Katie reveals how her most rewarding and well-paid gigs came from local commissions—museum projects, civic work—rather than chasing big agencies. She explains how targeting local keywords builds organic visibility and trust.
“When I feel like I might cry, the magic happens. I feel like that too... the best work happens when I'm out in my sketchbook and it rains or I'm getting in everybody's way.”
“You will never feel ready. So don't wait for this magic moment when you're like, now I am ready to charge. You just have to start charging.”
“Being a human is so much more valuable... it sounds crazy to even say that out loud, like being a human is a USP.”
Host
Guest
Katie
person
Live Illustration
other
Tanya
person
AI
other
Infographics
other
Live Illustration Course
other
Art Club
other
SEO
other
Helen
person
Dario Paniagua
person
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