Fashion illustration is an extremely difficult task. On the one hand, the artist needs to beautifully depict the model in some spectacular pose, and on the other, create a stylish image (or at least beautifully draw the finished one). In addition, the proportions of the human figure change greatly during fashion sketching, and the illustrator needs a heightened sense of balance and harmony. The pages of fashion illustrators on Instragram are an excellent source, as they say on the network itself, of daily inspiration. And the number of subscribers of some of them has long exceeded hundreds of thousands! Let's see which illustrators are worth following and why.
alyray_
Former designer Alena Radygina has been illustrating for about seven years. Three higher education, as well as an iron character, helped Alena create a school of fashion illustration, which, according to her, is not so easy to get into, and even more difficult to study. The illustrator also records master classes in three languages, and recently collaborated with Louis Vuitton. Agree, few people can boast of such success!
paperfashion
American illustrator Katie Rogers has been working with watercolors since 2009. Since then, her technique has become one of the most recognizable, and her personal blog one of the most popular. More than 650 thousand people follow Katie’s Instagram page!
Katie often uses rhinestones and beads in her work, which gives her illustrations dimension. Also recently, the girl became interested in animation: now many of her works come to life almost in the literal sense of the word.
Darya_illustrator
Daria is one of the few fashion illustrators in Russia who uses not only traditional paints, masters and pencils, but the most advanced technologies - a tablet and a stylus. On Dasha’s Instagram you can find completely different illustrations: fashionable, everyday, romantic.
Holly Nichols @hnicholsillustration
Illustrator Holly Nichols lives in Boston. Why should you subscribe to it? Well, firstly, Nichols's page is consistently updated every day (few illustrators can boast the same), and secondly, we love the style of her illustrations - light and romantic.
Lena Ker @lenaker
Illustrator Lena Ker "draws" shows, collaborates with such publications as Buro 24/7, SNC, Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, and more recently with Vogue. On Instagram, Lena has more than 75 thousand followers, and this for good reason: she shares little of her work, and this happens very rarely, but the more valuable each work becomes for fans of her work.
Paul Keng @ paulkengilustrator
American fashion illustrator Paul Keng will be of interest primarily to beginners. He generously shares his own video tutorials, in which, perhaps not in great detail, but very clearly he talks about his work. And his watercolors are no less fascinating than Monet’s paintings. What's not a reason to subscribe?
Meganhess_official
As Megan herself writes on her Instagram page, her clients are Dior, Fendi, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Vanity Fair, Vogue, Tifanyy&Co, Cartier, Disney... Megan’s illustrations, unlike the works of her colleagues, are quite drawn, and in her work she likes to resort to monochrome.
komyagina23
Jewelry designer, stylist and illustrator Anya Komyagina calls her style “applied surrealism.” According to her, the process of drawing occurs instinctively and unconsciously, which helps her express a lot of emotions with the help of pencils and brushes. Anna’s list of achievements includes collaboration with Russian glossy magazines and an exhibition curated by Andrei Bartenev.
hayden_Williams
While talking about fashion illustrators, we couldn’t help but remember the living legend of this difficult business, Hayden Williams. More than a million people follow his “cartoon” illustration style on Instagram! Also, portraits of celebrities and various movie characters often appear on his page: his illustrations are always relevant.
doll_memories
Our rating is completed by a talented illustrator from Bucharest, Ira Komleva. Her style is based on stunning likeness and high detail. Ira has more than 450 thousand subscribers on Instagram, and she also has her own online store where you can buy works at relatively low prices.
Instagram photo
During Fashion Week, the Oscars, and much-talked-about events like the Met Gala and royal weddings, netizens enjoy watching artists create snapshots of past events with pleasure and undisguised admiration. Besides general meaning, in their works, illustrators convey the mood of a moment, which is often even more inspiring than a photo or video. Each master adds a part of himself to his drawings, his unique view of the world and his deep inner emotions. This is what makes small works of art so valuable and exceptional in their kind. ELLE has made a selection of the 10 best fashion illustrators you should follow on Instagram and get daily inspiration from their sketches.
1. DIANA SULTANOVA
Unique style Diana Sultanova- fashionable illustration with ethnic motifs that are closely intertwined with folklore- has long won fans not only in our country, but also abroad. The artist graduated from the Lyceum of Arts in Vladikavkaz, and then received a degree in costume design at Moscow Kosygin University. Diana considers her main sources of inspiration gothic architecture, oriental art, as well as the work of the Pre-Raphaelites. Diana's fashionable drawings are followed by such fashion brands as Valentino, Roberto Cavalli, Lanvin, Zuhair Murad - brands often publish Sultanova's works in their profiles, noting the unique talent of the Russian artist.
“For me, fashion illustration is a kind of symbiosis of fashion and art. Sometimes illustrations, in my opinion, can reveal the essence of a collection and the author’s intentions much better than photographs. When I create an illustration, I try to convey my feelings from a particular model, to create a special fairy-tale world around it.”
2. Alena Lavdovskaya
One of the leading fashion illustrators in Russia and the first artist in our country to raise this genre to such an high level. Alena- graduate of such prestigious educational institutions, like the Academy of Art in San Francisco, NABA in Milan and MSTU. Kosygina. Lavdovskaya has worked in the fashion industry and luxury fashion retail for more than 17 years, starting her career at Gucci and in the legendary creative department of TSUM, where the team talented artists, stylists and decorators every day creates vibrant designs for store windows and interior design of department stores. Now the girl has collaborated with leading fashion brands and glossy publications, as well as opened her own drawing school.
“For me, the biggest thrill is to draw reportage illustrations from the show, I especially like the atmospheric moments during the show or backstage.”
“You need to do what you like, follow trends, find your own style, don’t feel sorry for yourself and go towards your goal. Understand who your guru and main critic is, so as not to let you relax. And draw. Good luck will surely come to those who work!”
3. BELINDA XIA
Australian illustrator Belinda Xia known for her love not only for the world of fashion, but beauty and interior design. The artist has collaborations with online fashion brands, cafes and Christmas markets. On the illustrator’s Instagram you can find sketches with the latest fashion trends, interesting calligraphic sketches and animated pictures.
4. DONALD ROBERTSON
Vanity Fair magazine calls American illustrator- the modern Andy Warhol of Instagram, and fans appreciate Robertson for his unique and ironic view of the world of fashion. The Canadian artist now lives in New York and holds the position of creative director at Estee Lauder. He says that what inspires him most in life are royal weddings, Super Cups, as well as his own wife and five beloved children.
5. LENA KER
Russian illustrator Lena Ker considered one of the most professional fashion artists in the world. At this stage, she collaborates with global glossy publications and fashion brands such as Dior, Jimmy Choo, J.Crew and Mark Cross. The artist considers herself not just a master of drawing, but a real designer, because it is precisely this vision of her work that allows Kher to create sketches that border on real fashion sketches.
6. Katie Rogers
American artist was born in Atlanta, but today lives in New York - a beloved city that gives the illustrator incredible inspiration. Artistic style Katie is easily recognizable. All her works are light in mood and have a childish charm. For some of her drawings, Katie uses glitter, which adds dimension and realism to her sketches. Note that Rogers created a blog with personal illustrations, Paperfashion, in 2009 and over the past 9 years has worked with such brands as Clé de Peau, Kate Spade, Coach, Alicia Keys, Calypso St. Barths, Stuart Weitzman, Paul Mitchell, Target and Nabisco.
“I spend a lot of time studying photos from fashion shows, magazines, new trends, designer releases and so on. Inspiration comes from different things and people. I love watching people on the street and studying their personal style. The blogs thesartorialist, copenhagenstreetstyle, facehunter and stylescout often help me with this.”
“For my work I use watercolor paints Winsor & Newtoon, brushes, inks and pens. I have long been of the opinion that much in a drawing will depend on the quality of the paper. So for beginners, I advise you not to skimp on materials.”
7. Megan Hess
In interviews, the Melbourne illustrator Megan Hess says that he is most inspired by the world of fashion and glamor. In 2008, Hess illustrated the book Sex in big city» Candace Bushnell, since then she has worked with many famous publications and brands. Her celebrity clients include: Chanel, Dior, Tiffany & Co., Yves Saint Laurent, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Fendi, Ladure, The Ritz Hotel Paris, Michelle Obama, Cartier, Montblanc, Ladure, Balenciaga, Guerlain and Paspaley. The designer also produces limited editions of silk scarves and pillows with her signature prints.
8. SARAH HANKINSON
Another illustrator from Australia creates his illustrations using watercolor, charcoal, ink and a simple pencil. In addition to elegant fashion drawings, Sarah loves wedding themes, food illustration and botanical sketches. Recently, the artist became a mother for the second time, but despite this, the pace of work does not slow down. Sarah has collaborated with companies such as Target, Maybelline, Sportsgirl, Portmans, Hardie Grant Publishers and Implulse Body Spray. Hankinson draws her inspiration from fashion photography, books, magazines and blogs. Her idol is artist Kat McLeod, an Australian illustrator who has designed books such as The Cocktail: 200 Fabulous Drinks and Bird.
The one you've been waiting for so long. This course is designed for beginners who do not know how to draw or have never dealt with Fashion illustration.
If you go through all the lessons in order and do practical tasks, then by the end of the course you will be able to make fashion sketches like these:
In the know fashion illustrations There will be several main sections:
- Fashion Illustration Basics
Let's study the proportions of the face and body. Let's consider the main features and differences between a fashion figure and a realistic one. Let's take a closer look at the proportions of the face, learn how to build a front, profile and three-quarter half-turn. Let's analyze the patterns of constructing several variants of poses (frontal and with support on one leg in different variations). - Drawing clothes
You will learn how fabric should interact with the body correctly, how to build the correct silhouette, we will study the principle of drawing clothing folds, their plasticity and logic. Let's learn how to make sketches. - Understanding Color
Let's study color wheel and the basics of color formation. Working with the image, the influence of color and manner of depiction, details. Let's focus on the exact transfer of texture and texture of various fabrics. Let's draw some prints. Let's get acquainted with various tools and materials of fashion illustration. - Images.
In this section you are welcome step by step lessons on drawing fashion illustrations, both simple and complex.
Of course, no lesson will be useful without practice. Therefore, at the end of each lesson you will find homework which must be completed before moving on to consolidate the acquired material.
The basis of the course is the book “Contemporary fashion illustration techniques” by Naoki Watanabe.
So let's get started!
Understanding the beauty of the body
The human body is as beautiful and attractive as a work of art. Let's study it before learning how to draw clothes. Understanding the image of the human body will ensure the creation of great designs.
Bone structure/joints
The bone structure that forms the basis of the human body is composed entirely of curved lines. We can move bones using joints and muscles. Although the proportions of bones change during growth, regardless of gender, the position and number of joints remain the same. The yellow spots in the illustration below indicate the most flexible vertebrae and the 12 major joints. The small joints of the face, arms and legs are not shown, and note that these areas of the large joints do not correspond to their shape.
Pose and body type
The following 5 body types are based on the proportion of the 8 heads, however they differ in the width and position of the shoulders, chest and hips. Shapes A and B are the most suitable for making clothes look balanced. On the other hand, clothing on shapes C, D and E will not reflect the design you have in mind.
Rest assured that the same piece of clothing will look completely different if the body proportions are incorrect. Even when you start with a proportion of 8 heads, you can easily get out of proportion and not finish the job. To avoid this, keep the following guidelines in mind: the width of the shoulders is equal to the height of 1.5 heads, the chest is equal to the height of 1 head and the hips are equal to the height of 1.5 heads.
Useful measuring method
By judiciously using the head as the unit of measurement, you can always be sure of the correct balance when drawing different poses, like in the picture below.
Homework:
1. Create a sketchbook in which you will complete assignments for this course. It will help you track your progress.
2. Find examples of sketches of a naked female figure in various poses on the Internet and try to repeat the ones you like best. Even if these are not exact copies, the main thing is to convey the main position and train your hand. Make at least 10 sketches.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Write your comments, in case something was unclear. See you!
Materials from the book “Contemporary fashion illustration techniques” by Naoki Watanabe were used.
Flipping through fashion magazines and brand catalogs, we are accustomed to seeing eye-catching photographs of ideal models in designer clothes and accessories. But how did fashionistas learn about clothing trends before the invention and popularization of cameras? What did the magazines publish on their pages? The “ancestor” of photography was fashion illustration, which can effectively convey the latest trends and sell products of the fashion industry. Today, hand-drawn pictures have returned and gained popularity.
History of fashion illustration
The world learned what fashion illustration is about 500 years ago. In the 16th century, artists painted court ladies and gentlemen in fashionable outfits, and at the end of the century a book with images of clothes and instructions for sewing them was published. The first fashion illustrator is considered to be the artist Wenceslas Hollar, who lived and worked in London since the 1640s. He was a real workaholic and created about 3,000 engravings using the etching technique for the most different topics from landscapes to drawings of women's outfits. In 1679, the Mercure Galant magazine was first published in Lyon, which became a pioneer in the world of fashion gloss. The publication contained drawings legendary artists Pierre Bonnarome, Abraham Bossom and many others.
The active development of fashion illustration occurred at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. At that time, magazines gained universal popularity, fashionistas all over the world eagerly awaited the release of new issues. This in turn contributed to the emergence of great illustrators who became the link between fashion and people.
Artists Charles Dana Gibson and Giovanni Boldini worked in late XIX and the middle of the 20th centuries, it was they who largely influenced the formation of the very concept of female beauty, depicting models in exquisite outfits and with a slender figure. Gibson deserves special attention, because... he created a special image for his heroines, which real women tried to imitate. In fact, the Gibson Girls were the first hand-drawn style icons! Fashion illustrators Paul Iribe, Georges Barbier, Georges Lepape, Erte, Kenneth Paul Bloch and many others also made a special contribution to the development of the genre.
Since the 1930s, Vogue began publishing photographs on its covers, which had a detrimental effect on fashion illustration. In the 1960s, the direction “lost” its position and gave way to photographs, but it never disappeared and continued to develop.
A new round of fashion illustration
The emergence of web versions of magazines, fashion blogs and social networks revived the genre of fashion illustration. The fact is that photographs limit a person’s imagination and do not allow them to complete the image themselves, because the viewer sees a complete picture with an ideal model.
Clothing and accessory brands are increasingly turning to illustrators for help, using their designs for prints and fabric patterns. Many brands prefer hand-drawn banners and posters to attract the attention of customers in branded stores.
Fashion magazines and designers have chosen illustrations to create advertising campaigns, which is quite natural, because... drawings allow the buyer to show imagination and try on the created image, to think out a story; this is not always possible when using photographs of models.
Popular bloggers writing about the fashion industry have also turned to illustrations. They create pictures that reflect future trends, plus they accompany their looks with hand-drawn copies. Many of them are noticed by famous magazines or fashion houses, offering cooperation. This is how the cartoon bunny Fifi Lapin turned into a whole brand.
Social networks are hungry for content, and “warm” content, the fact is that users are fed up with direct product advertising, which does not cause a strong emotional resonance and blocks the imagination. Illustrations also allow you to avoid trolling and negative comments; users have no reason to express their dissatisfaction with “photoshopped” models and their figures.
The work of fashion illustrators
Contemporary illustrators are reviving fashion drawing, drawing on the rich history of fashion illustration. They work in a variety of techniques: from watercolor to acrylic, and masterfully combine hand drawing with computer technology.
Fashion artists make sketches on fashion shows(not a single Fashion Week is complete without them), transfer street style to paper, draw looks, create patterns for fabrics, assist clothing designers in creating collections. They work on illustrations for fashion magazines, books, films, commercials, websites, social networks, collaborate with brands of clothing, cosmetics, accessories and luxury goods, advertising agencies, publishing houses and design bureaus.
Illustrators must quickly sketch by hand and be able to work with professional programs ( Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.), cope with tasks on time, and most importantly have a recognizable individual style and an inexhaustible source of inspiration.
Fashion illustrator training
1. Quickly
The aesthetics of quick sketches captivate you at first glance, because they fit the spirit of fashion week like no other. He is bright, expressive and very expressive. By the way, the speed of execution of such a sketch can be deceptive! Often the viewer thinks that the drawing took about 5 minutes, while the artist worked longer. It’s great if an illustrator makes live sketches, they are priceless.
The main thing you need to master sketching is to get up to speed. For example, open recent photographs from shows in London (LFW will take place September 14-18) and give yourself 3-5 minutes for each image, working with a soft pencil or felt-tip pen. I assure you that after a few dozen sketches you will notice progress.
2. “As in the photo.”
Just kidding, of course. For professional artists, this common compliment is actually dubious, but this is how I decided to designate the direction that is as close as possible to realism. I think that those masters who are inspired by the faces of models and want to work in this style in the best possible way display and highlight their beauty.
Realism requires a lot of skill and honing of skills. The study of anatomy is a necessary basis, because the viewer very easily reads inconsistencies in proportions. In order to master this direction, you can start with the basics, i.e. With academic drawing pencil.
illustration by Naila Butusova with images from Nikolay Legenda Brand designer Nikolay Legenda shares his vision of fashion illustration and bright participant MBFWRussia OLGA KAPITONOVA.
“In my work, the personality of the illustrator himself is important.
You need to develop your own handwriting. Just as designers each work in their own direction, so do illustrators. If you wish, you can be able to draw everything, but then everyone chooses what becomes closer to their style.
The drawing of clothing details depends on the final purpose of using the illustrations. Small details are not so important for conveying an image, but I believe that for an illustrator it would not be superfluous to know the logic of things, although small, it should be there. Quick sketches do not have time for drawing; there is more emphasis on silhouette, texture, etc. But even such sketches should have the appearance of a finished work.”
3. In the world of fairy tales
Fantasy fashion illustrations are, in my opinion, the most underrated! To be honest, I don’t have the imagination to create such beauty, but imagination is definitely needed here. If you feel that extraordinary images are emerging in your head, try sketching them out, at least in rough form. Basic knowledge of drawing and painting certainly won’t hurt, but people with unique imagination don’t need to take fashion illustration courses.
4. "Lukhari"
The style most in demand among customers and on stocks is the modern version of “ dolce vita" Among all the authors, Hayden Williams and Megan Hess can be distinguished. Their heroines have chic and gloss, and their proportions resemble those of a doll.
Having thoroughly studied the features of the proportions of this genre and bringing in something of your own, you can successfully create your own pictures of “beautiful life”.
5. Characters
For dessert I left unique ones, unusual art, inspiring primarily by the personality of their creator. The illustrators of this series created their own characters. This is the case when no training rules apply. The main thing is more courage, and that all works are created within the framework of one creative concept. Inspiration should be found within yourself. The characters, already created earlier, are so bright and famous that any imitation will be read.
Wish creative success and bright autumn!