inky faces

I’m an award-winning fashion illustrator and live event artist based in Hackney, London specialising in expressive hand drawn illustrations using predominantly watercolour ink.

Over the last 2 years I have developed an ongoing series of ‘Inky Portraits’. These developed out of experiments with inky techniques and have grown into a full blown series of 30 faces and counting. The faces are always rooted in my fashion background and are inspired by fashion tribes through the ages — whether that be Elizabethan Nobility, 80’s club kids, 1920’s Bright Young Things or 70’s Punks. The Inky Faces cards and prints are available at selected London stockists. Originals are for sale and prints are available on request, and I run regular Inky Faces workshops — I post the dates on my Instagram.

the faces

Maude — watercolour ink portrait — Maude© Tracey Smith

Faye — watercolour ink portrait — Faye© Tracey Smith

Rosa — watercolour ink portrait — Rosa© Tracey Smith

Dana — watercolour ink portrait — Dana© Tracey Smith

Briony — watercolour ink portrait — Briony© Tracey Smith

Eloise — watercolour ink portrait — Eloise© Tracey Smith

Marchesa Luisa — watercolour ink portrait — Marchesa Luisa© Tracey Smith

Fern — watercolour ink portrait — Fern© Tracey Smith

Twiggy — watercolour ink portrait — Twiggy© Tracey Smith

Aurelia — watercolour ink portrait — Aurelia© Tracey Smith

Kiki — watercolour ink portrait — Kiki© Tracey Smith

Nanushka — watercolour ink portrait — Nanushka© Tracey Smith

Cordelia — watercolour ink portrait — Cordelia© Tracey Smith

follow along

I post new faces and workshop dates on Instagram — come and watch them happen, from first wash to finished face.

@inkyfacesfashionbunnysmith

Frequently asked questions

Are the original paintings for sale?

Yes. Every Inky Faces portrait is an original watercolour-and-ink painting, and originals start at £300 — message me on Instagram to ask what's available. Prints of the series are £40 in the shop.

Do you take commissions?

Yes. Portrait and fashion illustration commissions start at £60, and I take live event illustration bookings too. Get in touch via Instagram @inkyfacesfashionbunnysmith to discuss what you have in mind.

What are the Inky Faces workshops?

They're hands-on illustration workshops where I teach the ink-and-watercolour technique behind the Inky Faces series. I run them regularly — for example at the In-Residence lifestyle store in Islington, London — and post upcoming dates on my Instagram.

Do you do live event illustration?

Yes. I draw live at events, launches and fashion shows, including London Fashion Week with Fida Worldwide and Drawing Cabaret Couture, and I was named Live Event Artist of the Year at the 8th Fida Worldwide Fashion Illustration Awards.

Where are you based?

I'm based in Hackney, London, and available for projects, commissions and live event illustration in London and beyond.

How can I buy a print or original, or book you?

The quickest way is to message me on Instagram at @inkyfacesfashionbunnysmith. I can help with originals, prints, commissions, live event bookings and workshop dates.