Why Two Sketchnote Artists Are Better Than One

by Mandy Johnson, Founder of Sketchnotes UK

Becky Ullah and Mandy Johnson

Once upon a time, Becky was a doctor. I was a CEO. We were respectable. We wore lanyards. We used phrases like “strategic alignment” and “patient outcomes.” We had meetings about meetings. And then—like two sensible women who’d finally had enough—we picked up pens and started drawing instead.

Now we sketchnote. Together. And it’s brilliant.

🎭 Sketching in Stereo: The Unexpected Joy of Dual Doodling

Live illustration is a bit like jazz. Or surgery. Or a boardroom coup. It’s fast, unpredictable, and occasionally involves sweating in front of an audience while pretending you know what you’re doing.

When Becky and I sketch together, it’s not just two people drawing—it’s a full-blown duet of ink and intuition. She’s got the precision of a former medic. I’ve got the strategic sass of a former exec. We operate like a well-oiled doodling machine—if that machine occasionally paused to giggle and draw a llama.

🧠 Two Brains Are Better Than One (Unless You’re a Hydra)

Here’s what happens when you put two sketchnoters in the same room:

• One catches the metaphor, the other catches the mood.

• One sketches the speaker’s key point, the other draws a pigeon wearing a monocle to represent “vision.”

• One anchors the layout, the other adds a vine. Or a llama. Or a quote from someone who wasn’t technically speaking but was definitely vibing.

  
  

It’s not just faster—it’s smarter. And we get to laugh at each other’s weird ideas while doing it.

✍️ Real-Time Editing Without the Passive Aggression

Working solo means second-guessing yourself. Working together means Becky gently nudging me with her elbow and whispering, “That looks like a potato, not a brain.” And me replying, “It’s a metaphor, Becky. Let me live.”

We edit as we go. We adapt. We improvise. We occasionally draw things upside down and pretend it was intentional. It’s like having a built-in safety net made of felt-tip pens and mutual respect.

💬 A Conversation in Ink (and Sarcasm)

There’s a rhythm to it. A flow. A kind of telepathic banter that only happens when two people have spent enough time sketching side by side to know when the other is about to draw a tree with feelings.

Me: “This quote needs a vine.”

Becky: “Already drawing the leaves.”

Me: “You’re a wizard.”

Becky: “You’re a liability.”

🧵 Why It Matters (But Not in a Salesy Way)

Look, we’re not here to sell you anything. We’re not a pop-up ad. We’re not going to say “synergy” or “ROI” or “unlock your visual potential.” We’re just two people who love turning complex ideas into beautiful, accessible, slightly quirky visuals that make people feel seen.

At Sketchnotes UK, we sketch with heart. And humour. And occasionally with snacks. Whether we’re working with grassroots groups or global brands, we bring warmth, wit, and double the creative firepower.

It’s not just two artists—it’s a visual conversation. And it’s a lot more fun than being respectable.

🎁 Want Your Ideas Sketched in Stereo?

We won’t pitch. We won’t pressure. But if you fancy seeing your story drawn by a former CEO and a former doctor who now spend their days doodling with purpose—give us a shout.

We promise metaphorical llamas, literal pens, and a sketch you’ll actually want to keep.