As a fashion and lifestyle illustrator, I’m always inspired by projects that allow me to capture atmosphere as much as appearance, and this collaboration between Candlelight Concerts and HSBC was a perfect example. Commissioned to create a set of custom lifestyle illustrations, I set out to visually interpret the unique ambience of these beautifully curated musical evenings held across venues in the UK.
Each concert setting offered something distinct, from grand historic interiors to more intimate architectural spaces, all transformed by the soft glow of candlelight. My role was to translate not just the physical venue, but the mood of the experience. The warmth, stillness, and emotional resonance that live music creates in such a setting. I paid close attention to architectural details, composition, and light, ensuring each illustration felt both recognisable and evocative.
The artworks were created digitally using Adobe Fresco on my Apple iPad, a process that allows for both precision and spontaneity. Working this way, I could build layers, experiment with texture, and respond intuitively to each scene—much like capturing a fleeting moment during a live event. It’s a method that complements my style, blending structure with fluid, expressive line work.
These weren’t simply venue illustrations; they were visual memories of the events themselves. Guests attending the concerts, hosted in partnership with HSBC, were gifted these custom illustrations as prints something tangible to take away and remember the evening by.
