tFS Fashion illustrations ... Please read Post #1 before posting your drawings.

[Habiba]

This illustrations are just georgeous!! Very good work guys!

 

[erinina]

thank you all!

all of your stuff is great too - it took me a few hours but i read through the whole thread.

 

[J'aime_la_mode]

Wow! This thread is so inspiring

 

[Ithillien]

^ my recent ones have been done with pen on paper, then i take photos, add fonts and stuff... but the givenchy one above was coloured in photoshop...but it is possible to get the same effect with a tablet

What kind of pens do you use?

Great work everyone

 

[dior_couture1245]

Here's my contribution-

 

[Ceptuouse]

What kind of pens do you use?

Great work everyone

fineliners...ball point pens...fountain pens...

i dont know how to explain really, nothing special, just random ones from around the house


dior couture! i love them, especially the first...PLEASE do some more dior couture illustrations...please please please please please

 

[Papercut Crisis]

you guys are great you should try designing your own stuff

 

[dior_couture1245]

Here's one from Chanel Haute Couture FW 06
The flags were inspired by the collection's theme [Medieval mods]. In the flags are fleur de lyses and the Chanel logo

 

[J'aime_la_mode]

I'm really trying to improve my drawing. I know the key is practice, as many of you have mentioned. But I find it so hard to find time to focus on drawing. How do you guys do it? Do you dedicate a certain time of day to it?

 

[gius]

^Try joining a class that will make drawing a priority for you

 

[dior_couture1245]

I'm really trying to improve my drawing. I know the key is practice, as many of you have mentioned. But I find it so hard to find time to focus on drawing. How do you guys do it? Do you dedicate a certain time of day to it?

Ok. I've seen a lot sketches that are not very attractive...sorry to sound harsh, but to me, fashion sketches need to be beautiful in order to give justice to the clothes you're illustrating or designing.

So, there are three things that I think are paramount in drawing for fashion.
1. Proportion
Proportion is SO important. The model needs to look human. Look at models and see where the arm falls, how long the necks are, the size of the head in proportion to the body. Make sure the torso isn't longer than the legs!

2. Exaggeration
At this point, one can throw out some of the rules of proportion. What I mean is, I'd say 99% of fashion illustrations depict a model that has exaggerated features. Usually, the exaggerated areas are the lengths of the neck and legs. Don't go overboard and make her look like the dinosaur with the huge neck, and don't make her look like she has sky skraper legs with a miniscule torso. Do you get what I'm saying. That's why exaggeration and proportion have to work hand in hand. You have to work off of proportion to get exaggeration. I also like to give the legs some curve.

3. Fluidity/ Elegance
This isn't just restricted to the look of the model, but the way you draw it or lay down your lines. Don't use a heavy pencil and go over the lines again and again- it looks sloppy like that. Lightly draw the lines so they are easy to erase and because when drawing lightly your pencil flows better. Try and use very few strokes, I mean, say, draw the line of the leg or arm in one pencil stroke. Believe me, it will look so much better that way. Once I've laid out my model and am happy with it, I then proceed in laying on the clothes, again, feep it FAST! Make quick, fast gestures to get the lines you want. Once you're satisfied with your pencil drawing, ink it in. When you ink, use these same principles. Use a pen that allows the ink to flow easily, that way, you can keep the lines fast, simple, and elegant. Allow the ink to dry and then erase.

*********You can tell when you're designs look fast, light, fluid, and elegant. And, on the other hand, you can tell when they are slow and heavy.



So, in conclusion, I'd say, start off by making very quick, small, very light sketches of models in underwear (so you can get the whole body) on the corner of the napkin or just on paper. Just let your hand move. The quicker you are and the more carefree you are the more successful your drawings will come out. At the end, just look over the many quick models you've drawn and see what you like.

This exercise I've just talked about can take seconds. No need to worry about time with that one.

Save these small sketches and find one you like in particular and see if you can expand on it, can you replicate it? After you've discovered your signiture drawing style (by doing all these quick model sketches in a fashion pose, you discover you style), try replicating on a larger scale (to fill up a sketch pad size paper). That doesn't need to take much time either.

Once you've come up with your FAVORITE sketch of a model (while in undies, or naked...), ink it in and keep it for tracing. This is important because when I draw ideas for a collection, I like the model to look the same in each finished picture. Then, it's very easy and not time consuming to make a new drawing, all you have to do is trace, lay on the clothes, and ink!

ALSO!...I've found that it is VERY difficult to draw a model walking. So, stick to stationary poses.



It really doesn't take hours to draw the drawings I've posted here. They take so little time to make because I force myself to take so little time on them, that way, the finished look is slick, fluid, and elegant.

Sorry to have written a novella.

 

[Ceptuouse]

amazing, and thanks for the tips dior couture

i need to think about sewing something...

 

[Ceptuouse]

tried two designs...

dont like it at all though

 

[gius]

i think it's sexy, JR1 I like the fitted cut with the bustier and I imagine the buttons and neck chain adds a kind of "bling." Everything is kind of "high" so you get a sense it's elegant too (the skirt hem, the sleeves, collar, etc.).

But are the cuffs connected to the sleeve? Or is the sleeve flared (like flared pants)? And what are those balls on the boots made of? The only thing I don't like are the shoes lol, but if the balls are jewels, maybe it's okay...

 

[dior_couture1245]

amazing, and thanks for the tips dior couture

i need to think about sewing something...

I need to learn to sew period! I really wish I could. I need to start asap!

By the way, JR1, I really like your illustrations, especially that Alexander McQueen one with the model shown from the back, I love it!

 

[Ceptuouse]

^ the cuffs are connected to the sleeves, and the shoes are...how do i say...imagine a plain medallion in gold...

 

[gius]

thanks for the tips, dior couture. Are you a professional illustrator??
I was noticing there are different kinds of fashion illustrations. You see ones that are like sketches with everything drawn quickly and simply, and then you see ones by other artists like you see in the Art & Design forum (ie. Charles Anastase, Mas Gustafson...) which are very complete and look like they took a long time. Both have the clothing design
Is there any difference between the two? I think it's been answered here before, but I can't find it...

 

[dior_couture1245]

Here's two of my designs. I was inspired by Indian maharajas [like the one from this picture], hip-hop, and a little bit of Chanel.

(cricinfo.com)

 

[Ceptuouse]

^ i love them what do you use to outline them? i love the links with your source...

 

[dior_couture1245]

thanks for the tips, dior couture. Are you a professional illustrator??
I was noticing there are different kinds of fashion illustrations. You see ones that are like sketches with everything drawn quickly and simply, and then you see ones by other artists like you see in the Art & Design forum (ie. Charles Anastase, Mas Gustafson...) which are very complete and look like they took a long time. Both have the clothing design
Is there any difference between the two? I think it's been answered here before, but I can't find it...

No....I'm not a professional illustrator, what I described in my tips are just what I like to do and what I find works. The stuff I wrote is just to get you started and especially to find your signiture style. The exercise I described is how I found my style.

About the difference, yeah, there definately is. I mean, it comes down to one's drawing style and what they find attractive.

I think also, that one, especially when illustrating, has to take into consideration what 'look' they want to achieve with the clothes in question. Do you want the drawing to looked refined and finished, like the clothes. Or do you want it to look rough and unfinished, like the clothes. Neither is wrong.