Illustration, narrative art and life drawing

My name is Ravyn, online I go by Soda Straw. I’m a professional illustrator based in Sydney, Australia. Illustration has taken me on many adventures, from teaching life drawing in Manly to exhibiting in Hong Kong! Currently, the project I’m most excited about is my first full length one-shot comic about an alien girl working in space diner.

While I love creating that type of detailed illustration and narrative art, I feel like life drawing gets overlooked. Drawing from life is often reduced to training to serve later pieces, but what if those 5 minute drawings were the final piece? I love the energy and raw expression that comes from a 5 minute life drawing, so I started live event illustration, to celebrate this fantastic medium that I love so much.

I am incredibly passionate about speed drawing and live illustration, and I am constantly challenging myself with shorter timers, weird mediums or even by using my non-dominant hand! Thanks to my 6+ years of life drawing experience I can draw a full body character in under 5 minutes every time!

In my personal time I love to read comics and manga (some people say it shows in my art style haha!) I also like to bake vegan cakes which I am finally getting the hang of decorating, and explore local arts and cultural events around Sydney!

P.S. I love fashion and cosplay, so if you have a really wacky idea for your event (eg. green alien drawing people’s portraits as aliens) I am 100% down to show up fully green or in some funky outfit. Just let me know!