The annual SpeakEasy Illustration Show went down last Thursday at the Gladstone Hotel. Featuring 24 artists working in a wide variety of styles, the short-lived show — it's one night only — offers a great little introduction to some of the exciting stuff produced by up and coming Toronto-based illustrators, whether it be more traditional hand-drawn work to that which is completely digital in nature.

Like other events in the SpeakEasy series, which also includes photography, comic book, fine art, and craft shows, there's few exhibits that foster as much interaction between artist and visitor/viewer. Over the course of the night young illustrators picked the brains of their more established colleagues, while other interested parties offered praise and asked after the prices of the work on display. Here's what it all looked like. To stay abreast of upcoming SpeakEasy events, check out its website.

PHOTOS

Anthony Brennan

Tony Sid

Jacob Rolfe

Lida Lajevardi

Wil Wong

Ditto

victoR gad

Carmen Mok

Gavin McCarthy

Alexei Vella

Marta McKenzie

Photos by Sandra Chow