ABOUT ERIN WHITTY ILLUSTRATIONS
ERIN IS A LIVE EVENT ARTIST WHO BLENDS THE SPIRIT OF HIGH FASHION WITH THE TIMELESS CRAFT OF PORTRAITURE.
With a background in fine art and years spent illustrating for leading brands and events, Erin brings an elevated, couture sensibility to every live sketch she creates. Before turning her focus to fashion illustration, she trained as a portrait artist, painting notable Australians including Kate Ritchie and Neale Whitaker.
Her work captures not just the style of her subjects, but their essence—rendered with the lightness, speed, and sophistication that only years of dedication can achieve.
OVER THE YEARS
2012
Dreaming up an art career
Throughout my 20s, I worked in magazines, captivated by the people, fashion and aesthetics of the industry. I realised I didn’t just want to write about beauty – I wanted to paint it – and started exploring illustration on this particular year.
2014
First professional jobs
With the good fortune of knowing the right people, my first commissions were dream projects: partnerships with Neutrogena, Lanolips, live painting for Myer, and editorial work in a variety of magazines.
2016
Live drawing in full swing
2019
Working with leather
At The Body Shop pop-up during Vogue Fashion’s Night Out, I sketched 3-minute charcoal portraits, projected live on a giant screen down a packed Pitt Street Mall (so no pressure!) and partnered with Pandora to open it’s flagship Sydney store, among many other events.
Approached by Mimco to letter their leather goods at an in-store event, I dove headfirst into a new skill, teaching myself everything I needed to know the week before the event—and have loved leather ever since.
2021
Residency at Channel 9
One of the highlights of the year was settling in at the station’s HQ, turning cherished photos of staffers’ loved ones into heartfelt works of art.
2025
Relaunching the dream business
After stepping away from a role in the textile design world, I’m thrilled to be dedicating myself fully to live illustration once again–living my dream, brush (or pen!) in hand.
YOU MAY HAVE SEEN ME IN
