Trade Show Caricaturist for Exhibitions & Conferences
Fast, engaging digital caricatures to attract visitors and put your brand in the picture.
20+ years of exhibition experience across the UK, Europe and USA • Booked by NASA, Pixar & Microsoft
Trade Show Caricaturist
for Exhibitions & Conferences
Fast, engaging digital caricatures to attract visitors
and put your brand in the picture.
20+ years of exhibition experience across the UK, Europe and USA
Booked by NASA, Pixar & Microsoft
Give Your Exhibition Stand Some Character
You’ve got the stand, the team and something worth talking about – I’ll give visitors a reason to stop.
With my iPad, a quick eye and a knack for getting delegates involved,
I draw quickly, to keep onlookers entertained, and I know when to give your team the floor.
In a few minutes, they’ve got their own caricature, with your logo and a great reason to remember your brand.
More footfall, more buzz, more impact.
A little exaggeration makes a very good first impression.
Give Your Exhibition Stand Some Character
You’ve got the stand, the team and something worth talking about – I’ll give visitors a reason to stop.
With my iPad, a quick eye and a knack for getting delegates involved,
I draw quickly, to keep onlookers entertained, and I know when to give your team the floor.
In a few minutes, they’ve got their own caricature, with your logo and a great reason to remember your brand.
More footfall, more buzz, more impact.
A little exaggeration makes a very good first impression.
Trusted by These Leading Brands
Trusted by These Leading Brands
Why Digital Caricatures Work So Well at Trade Shows & Conferences
Why Digital Caricatures Work So Well at Trade Shows & Conferences
What you get:
Something to bring them over
Time to chat them up
A freebie with your name on it
What you get:
Something to bring them over
Time to chat them up
A freebie with your name on it
Turns Passing Interest Into Real Footfall
Trade shows and conferences are busy, competitive spaces. Live digital caricatures help you stand out from the crowd. They give people a reason to stop, make your booth feel busy and visible from across the hall.
- The live drawings and big screen display attract attention, bringing people over and creating a buzz
- They give your team time to chat with visitors
- The caricatures are delivered by email for simple, GDPR-friendly lead capture
- Drawn by an engaging, enthusiastic and professional artist, who knows his way around the show
A Freebie Worth Keeping
The experience doesn’t end when someone walks away from your stand. Live caricatures give guests a genuinely memorable takeaway – something personal, fun and far more likely to be kept than another branded water bottle.
- Digital versions can be shared on social media, used internally, or as profile images
- Printed on the spot with your logo & event message
- Guests show off their caricatures around the event, encouraging fresh faces to visit your stand
- A unique, creative keepsake that makes sure you stay remembered after the event
A Few Faces From the Shows
A Few Faces From the Shows
Live digital caricatures from trade shows and conferences, with client branding and a little artistic licence. See more in the trade show gallery →
Live digital caricatures from trade shows and conferences, with client branding and a little artistic licence. See more in the trade show gallery →
Branded & Themed Caricatures
Branded & Themed Caricatures
What Are Themed Digital Caricatures?
Themed digital caricatures turn your visitors into characters in a picture designed around your brand or campaign. Think astronauts, superheroes or something entirely your own, with your branding built into the scene.
I can design the artwork to feature your products, colours and campaign message, creating a distinctive giveaway custom designed for you. It gives your team a talking point, and when visitors show off their caricature, your branding is unmissable.
We create the backgrounds and character artwork before the show. On the day, I draw each visitor’s caricature live on my iPad, bringing a fresh face and plenty of personality to every picture.
- Fully customised to your branding & campaign
- High-impact look across every caricature
- Visually striking and very shareable
- Used by global brands at high-profile events
- Fully customised to your branding & campaign
- High-impact look across every caricature
- Visually striking and very shareable
- Used by global brands at high-profile events
Options for themed caricatures are almost unlimited!
From cartoon characters to zombies.
How about Elvis, Star Wars, pirates or cowboys?
Maybe a Christmas or summer holiday theme?
Check out the gallery for more samples
Exhibition Caricatures in Action
Exhibition Caricatures in Action
One Small Step for Microsoft, One Giant Leap for Sensible Pencil.
Microsoft spotted me in Hamburg, drawing custom themed caricatures for VAST Data. These were a huge hit, so they snapped me up for SC22 in Dallas, Texas.
With NASA and Pixar involved in the project, and using images from the James Webb Space Telescope, this was something rather special. Over three busy days, I turned around 180 delegates into astronauts, complete with everyone’s branding.
One chap I’d drawn in Germany was already waiting at the Microsoft booth when I arrived – he’d heard there was a caricaturist and was hoping it would be me. Apparently, one trip into space wasn’t enough!
“You really helped make our booth the best in show and we can’t wait to hire you again!”
E. Clark, Event manager, Microsoft
Viridien: Have Pencil, Will Travel
Viridien: Have Pencil, Will Travel
When CGG became Viridien in 2024, they had a new name to show off. I had an iPad, a passport and an excellent way to spread the word.
London, Paris, Oslo, Houston, Atlanta… they kept me busy! From genie-themed characters to head-and-shoulder portraits. I got through loads of faces – and quite a few return visitors from previous events. Always a lovely compliment!
When the delegates headed home, Viridien’s new branding went with them, along with their caricatures.
“A huge hit and everyone was talking about the fantastic artwork.”
H. Hollis, Tradeshow Specialist
OpenText: Drawn Together Since 2012
OpenText: Drawn Together Since 2012
I’ve been working with OpenText since 2012, when drawing caricatures on an iPad was still something of a novelty. From Birmingham to Brussels, we’ve done plenty of shows together, and sent many happy delegates home with a caricature.
The organisers love me because I’m so easy to look after – I bring the kit, set everything up, get people involved and pack it all away afterwards.
The team onsite need only provide the space, a plug socket and a few willing faces.
“The caricatures are always the highlight of our exhibition stand.”
K. White, Global Events Manager, Opentext
Why Book Sensible Pencil?
Because the drawings matter, and so does the person doing them. After 250 exhibition and conference bookings I’ve had plenty of practice at getting both right.
More Than a Good Likeness
I draw quickly, get people chatting and keep the onlookers entertained too. There’s a recognisable face at the end, and plenty to enjoy while it takes shape.
Good With Faces. And People.
Some visitors jump straight in. Others need a little encouragement. I know how to get a conversation going, put people at ease and judge how much mischief they’ll enjoy.
Here for the Whole Show
With roughly 700 exhibition days behind me, I’m used to keeping the activity moving and managing my own queue. Full-day and multi-day bookings are very much my territory.
Working With Your Team
Your team has something worth talking about. I help get the conversation started, keep visitors involved and recognise when it’s time to step back. Knowing when to stop talking is part of the job too.
Why Book Sensible Pencil?
Because the drawings matter, and so does the person doing them. After 250 exhibition and conference bookings I’ve had plenty of practice at getting both right.
More Than a Good Likeness
I draw quickly, get people chatting and keep the onlookers entertained too. There’s a recognisable face at the end, and plenty to enjoy while it takes shape.
Good With Faces. And People.
Some visitors jump straight in. Others need a little encouragement. I know how to get a conversation going, put people at ease and judge how much mischief they’ll enjoy.
Here for the Whole Show
With roughly 700 exhibition days behind me, I’m used to keeping the activity moving and managing my own queue. Full-day and multi-day bookings are very much my territory.
Working With Your Team
Your team has something worth talking about. I help get the conversation started, keep visitors involved and recognise when it’s time to step back. Knowing when to stop talking is part of the job too.
How It Works
How It Works
1. We plan your event
We’ll discuss your stand, audience and branding. Caricatures can be customised with your logo, campaign message or event theme.
2. Live drawing at your stand
I bring everything I need and draw guests live on iPad at your event space, with the process shown on a large screen to help attract attention.
3. Prints the guests actually keep
Each branded caricature is printed on the spot. It gives guests something personal to take away and keeps you in their minds long after the show.
4. Digital copies ready to share
Guests also receive digital versions via email, Airdrop or QR code, making them easy to share on social media after the event.
Practical Details & FAQ
Practical Details & FAQ
I bring the iPad, WI-FI and all the kit for the setup we’ve agreed, including a printer if you’ve chosen printed caricatures.
Usually, I can supply a screen and tripod stand for UK events, or use yours once we’ve checked the connections. For overseas bookings, you’ll need to arrange a screen at the venue if you’d like a live display.
You provide a power socket, two stools and a little space for my bag. I’ll take care of setting up and packing away.
For a setup with a screen, I usually need around 1.5m × 1.5m and approximately 30 minutes to get everything ready. Typically, we’ll agree the position beforehand, allowing room for visitors to stop and your team to work.
I typically draw around 8–12 people per hour. The pace depends on the detail in the artwork and the time spent chatting, printing and sharing the finished pictures. If you like, just tell me your timings and what you have in mind, and I’ll help you plan realistic numbers.
Each delegate receives their own branded digital caricature to keep, share or use as a profile picture. Depending on the setup, this can be delivered by email, AirDrop or a QR download link.
Usually, I’ll also print these out on-the-spot. These are high quality postcard prints, with protective sleeves and lanyards so delegates can wear their caricatures around the show (the guests love these!).
Yes, I’m available for full-day and multi-day bookings, with timings agreed around your exhibition schedule. Whether you need me for one busy day or the whole show, I’ll put together a quote to suit.
Send your logo, brand guidelines and any theme ideas as early as possible. Simple branding can often be arranged at short notice, while bespoke backgrounds and characters benefit from a few weeks to develop and approve the design.
If the show is coming up quickly, get in touch and I’ll tell you what’s possible.
I’m based in Bath and London and work across the UK, as well as at exhibitions in Europe and the USA.
We’ll agree travel and equipment arrangements beforehand, with any associated costs covered in your quote.
Quotes are based on your event dates, location and the setup you’d like. My drawing time, basic branding and digital delivery of the caricatures are included.
If you’d like printing, a big-screen display or bespoke themed artwork, we’ll agree the details and include any additional costs in your quote.
Get in touch for a quote
More questions? View the full FAQ →
Let’s Make Your Stand
Difficult to Ignore
Let’s Make Your Stand
Difficult to Ignore
Live digital caricatures attract attention, create conversations and leave a lasting impression – before, during and after the event. Tell me a little about your show – I’ll check availability, answer any questions and provide a tailored quote.
Trade Show & Conference Caricature Artist – Sensible Pencil
Sensible Pencil is the professional caricature business of UK caricature artist Christian “Chrissy” Marshall, providing live digital caricature entertainment for trade shows, exhibitions, conferences and brand activations across the UK and internationally.
Founded in 1999, Sensible Pencil has drawn caricatures at more than 3,000 events worldwide, with extensive experience working on exhibition stands, conference spaces and high-profile brand activations.
Caricatures are created live on iPad or as traditional hand-drawn artwork, giving guests a personalised, memorable takeaway while helping attract attention and create engagement on your stand.
Live caricatures are particularly effective at trade shows, exhibitions and conferences, where they help increase footfall, create dwell time and provide natural opportunities for conversation between guests and stand staff.
Two main options are available:
- Digital caricatures – ideal for exhibitions and branded campaigns, with logos, themed artwork, instant prints and digital sharing
- Classic hand-drawn caricatures – fast, flexible sketches on paper with strong guest coverage
For trade shows and exhibitions, caricatures are typically delivered from a fixed, highly visible setup, creating a focal point that draws people in and helps build a crowd around your stand.
Sensible Pencil is known for being fast, engaging and easy to work with, with the ability to interact confidently with guests, manage flow on a busy stand and support teams in creating meaningful engagement.
Caricatures can be fully branded or themed to match a campaign, product or event, and can be printed or shared digitally. Guests can also choose to receive their caricature by email, providing a simple and natural way to capture contact details.
Clients include global brands, agencies and event teams across the UK, Europe and internationally, with regular work at venues such as ExCeL London, NEC Birmingham and major European exhibition centres.
All caricatures are drawn live by hand and are not generated using artificial intelligence.
You can check availability here.