Seeking Fashion Critiques...

[Tentopet]

Hi, all! I'm new here, so correct me if I've posted in the wrong place. Anyway, I do make some clothes, but mostly, I draw them. I'm a comic artist. And I was wondering if you guys had any advice on my designs? I'll continue to post them here. The drawing on the left in particular is bothering me. I really like that cutsey gathered and embroidered style that little kids wear, and I was trying to incorporate it in that outfit, but then it ended up looking.....dull? I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong here?

 

[arlekindearrabal]

i think your designs are really cool , i dont think they look dull per se, but its hard to make that type of style into something that really captures your attention (ie flashy), i mean, if thats what you are going for... the yellow vest is so hott

 

[TheSweetest]

I love what you have done. It's really amazing. Did you use a program for that? (i just need a recommendation).

 

[fab_fifties_fille]

Wow, your designs are amazing, i'd also like to know if you used a computer package?

The only thing I could say about the left one is perhaps that it's too 'matching' I really like it but if your trying to make it slightly more edgy I think I'd change the skirt, I adore the top, and it has a sufficient amount of smocking and gathering to carry of the look with a complimentary skirt, or perhaps linen-type trousers or shorts with turn-ups.

 

[snowqueen]

I love them did you use fashion cad ?? theya re really cool id buy them. I like the cut if the skirt in the second picture

 

[Luna]

Love the ideas on the outfit on the left... that top would look so cute with jeans or gauchos or something!

 

[softgrey]

moving this into the illustration section...

 

[stilista]

they're beautiful! Quite Karen Walker I especially like the middle one, but I love pink and brown. I think the first one may work better as a dress, or longer top with shorter skirt? There's something about the proportions that look a little off to me. The third one would probably look really gorgeous when made...keep up the good work!!

 

[Tentopet]

Thanks so much for the comments!!!

Actually, that advice on the one on the left is HUGELY helpful (thanks!!!). I might change it, or I might just make a mental note for later in case I include it in my comic. To tell you the truth, I'm trying to learn to like pants/shorts/non-skirts, but it's tough. I realize pants and shorts can look cool, but I guess I just need to experiment with those to make myself realize it! Because I agree that the top on the left would look better either with something that's not a a skirt, or if the whole thing were a dress. And the matchy-ness is making me sick!

I actually was a slacker with the third one, because that's one I've already made, haha! The flowers snap on and off for washing

Anywho, I'm so out of the loop with this fashion stuff that I actually didn't know there were programs to do this stuff (although it makes sense that there would be). I draw on Photoshop, for the most part, and what I did here was I made a naked body, and I just copied it several times, and drew outfits on a layer above each body. Then, I just erase the lines of the body that are covered by the clothes I drew. And finally, I color on a layer beneath the lines. Oh, and I use a drawing tablet. If you're into drawing, and you'd like to do computer illustration, you NEED a drawing tablet. Mine is my most prized posession. In fact, I don't even like to draw by hand anymore. But that's actually unusual.

But yeah, these were just quick sketches. I'd do cool patterns and tons of shading and interesting poses, but I'm just trying to come up with clothing ideas.

Anywho, thanks so much! I was really nervous about posting things, but I really need help. I'll be sure to put more up as I come up with them!

 

[stilista]

please do keep posting! I love your drawings, and to know you can actually make them is so great...much better than just being able to draw you have a talent! Good thing you made the flowers on the 3rd dress come off for washing, when I first started making things I was lazy that way and knew what I should do, but was always so desperate to finish, I'd do it the lazy way!

 

[fab_fifties_fille]

It's good to hear everyone's advice was of use to you tentopet Welcome to tfs!!! I hope you post alot more they are honestly amazing drawings, and sound like fab ideas otherwise too

 

[Tentopet]

Awwww, you guys make me feel so welcome ! Thanks!!! Hehe! I'm not that great of a sewer, but ya know, when I really want something and can't get it at a store, I make it, dang it!

But yeah, I like the idea of things that snap on and off, because if you have enough outfits that do that, you can mix and match things to snap on!

 

[TheSoCalledPrep]

very cute!!!!!

 

[lolita729]

how come u draw direct on photoshop??? i start off by illustrator and then fix them on photoshop
do u know which one s easier??

 

[Tentopet]

So-called Prep: Thanks much!

Lolita: Hmmmm I guess it just depends on the person. I have Illustrator, and I've tried time and time again to figure that dang program out, but it's so freaking complicated! I'm like, "Where's the ERASER, people?!" I figure that as long as you can figure the program out, Illustrator's an easier program to make things look good without having a drawing tablet. But since I have one, Photoshop's waaaaay easier for me. Feel free to ask me any questions you have on that program. I'm honestly NOT showcasing Photoshop's abilities with these sketches. You can do so much more!

Anywho, I'm going to TRY to come up with a design a day, and so here's mine for the day. I call it "Ode to Eyelet". Haha! With my first three drawings, it actually took me a LOT of effort NOT to have eyelet or bows or other frilly stuff in it, but I just gave in with this one. The shirt has those diagonal buttons that are supposed to give the look of eyelet, and there's this huge eyelet bow at the back of the skirt (in my mind, I guess). Oh, and as you can see, I had a lack of inspiration for colors on this one. Any advice? It would be especially helpful if the colors went well with a gold and brown background (for a cover I'm planning on making).

How do you cure an addiction to eyelet? Or to collars or poofy sleeves?

 

[marrimoda]

your drawings look great! I havent tried drawing with a tablet yet -- but I will. I always do my drawings by hand. I give your technique a go.

I think that what would make the outfit work is changing the skirt. If you have smocking on both the top and skirt is this way, it dillutes the focal point. Its a great top...or you can draw that same skirt on another figure with a simple top...that way you dont lose your ideas. good luck.

 

[clay]

I think these look great!!

 

[.francesca]

those are amazing! in the first group you posted, i love the middle one
(librarychic...SO HOT!!)
and the last one you posted is soo cute.
i love the asymmetrical buttons on the shirt
and there is nothing wrong with eyelet

 

[Derin]

Your drawings are so cool! You should prepare something for A/W 05-06 and actually manufacture..!

 

[Tentopet]

Haha! You'll have to excuse my lack of fashion knowledge--what's A/W?

Francesca and Clay: Thankyas!!!!

Marrimoda: Wow, that's WONDERFUL advice--I really need to try not to match too much or it's just overkill! And I'm trying to make myself realize that not every part of an outfit needs to be a novelty or it takes away from any focus, just as you said. Thanks so much for pointing that out; I'm sure comments like this will really help me

Anywho, here's my design for the day. It's a sphinx costume for Halloween. Keep in mind I'm doing a comic story! So a lot of these are meant for the story. Sorry; I'm getting more sketchy and sloppy, the more of these I do. I sorta have a lot to draw besides these! Anyway, I really want this costume to be super-cute and original, while still looking like a sphinx, but I don't really know how cute/original it turned out. Seems sorta standard to me.