Fashion models are, on average, 8 to 9 heads tall. “The total height of an adult human being is anywhere from 7 to 8 head lengths, on average.
In fashion illustration, the figure you’re drawing is usually divided up according to the size of the head. Simplicity is more powerful.” A female figure wearing an amazing hat, a pair of shoes with complex embroidery, or a textured t-shirt can all be the beginning of something beautiful. “I find that, personally, I don’t like when there’s a lot going on in the piece. “The subject shouldn’t be too complicated,” advises Karman. “A splashy or more graphic interpretation of your character can help bring your artistic vision to life,” offers fashion designer and illustrator Zoe Hong.įor Karman, “selecting something strange, unusual, or interesting is always good because if it’s a known, classical subject (like a woman in a Lester painting) it’s not going to be as compelling as something that people haven’t seen before.” And if you want your illustration to look effortless, keep it simple. To find your personal niche, consider the vibe you want to create. When you think of Italian artist Rene Gruau’s distinct painterly style or British designer Hayden Williams’s detailed illustrations of Rihanna, they both have one thing in common: a unique point of view. Get started with tips from fashion illustrators.Īccording to Karman, all it takes to start a work of art is an idea: “Fashion illustration is all about being inspired by something someone else has done and filtering it through your own lens.” Grab your sketchbook and follow this step-by-step guide to make your illustration one of a kind.
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“Technical design sketches in the fashion industry usually stick to strict guidelines, but the beauty of illustration is that fashion artists are free to make figure drawings and digital art that are much more creative,” says Karman. Alternatively, technical sketches called flats are used by fashion designers to convey the idea of a design to a patternmaker or fabricator. “It’s meant to capture the mood and personality of the figure featured,” explains fashion illustrator Bijou Karman.įashion illustrations are found in magazines, promotional ads, and boutiques as stand-alone pieces of artwork.
Unlike a fashion sketch, fashion illustration is more focused on the figure wearing the clothes and less on a particular clothing item or accessory. If you have an eye for what’s en vogue and want to sharpen your fashion drawing skills, follow the lead of famous artists like Meagan Morrison, Antonio Lopez, and David Downton and learn the art of fashion illustration.