FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY:A SUMMER DRESS (STAEDTLER PENCIL WATERCOLOURS)

Yesterday I tore myself away from the laptop to make a new fashion illustration. It's been a while since I made my last fashion illustration. I've been spending an insane amount of time behind the screen lately (who ever said blogging is easy, right?) working on new blog posts. At some point yesterday, I decided to get up, grab some watercolour pencils and paint a new fashion illustration. Friday Fashion Illustration is not the most regular feature on my blog, but this summer at least I can try to change that. While I was working on my new fashion illustration, I test drove watercolour pencils from Steadler  brand (not sponsored). It's been ages since I last used watercolour pencils. I'll wait for a bit before I give this brand a detailed review, but for now I can say that I quite liked these pencil watercolours. So far so good, you might say. Steadler brand claims to be sustainable and  sustainability is important to me. It is something that applies to every aspect of my life, not just clothes and I do think of sustainability when I do art and crafts. I often use recycled materials when I make art (feel free check out my posts about painting with make up). Moreover, when it is possible, I will opt for sustainable art brands. Do you have any 'green' or sustainable tips to share?

 MAKING OF A FASHION ILLUSTRATION: A GIRL IN A RED DRESS

 (MEDIUM WATERCOLOUR PENCILS ON MIXED MEDIA PAPER)

 So, I decided to make a new fashion illustration. I looked  for inspiration at home, that is among my own fashion illustration collection. I've been making fashion illustrations for years now, so as you can imagine I have quite a collection. I wanted to work without a reference, so I basically drew a dress from my head. I illustrated a summer red dress without thinking too much. However, for the figure itself, I decided to look for some inspiration. I remembered a pencil drawing of runaway look from  Zuhair Murad Spring/Summer 2019 collection I did last spring, so that's what where my 'figure' inspiration came from. It is fun to try something different, not the classical fashion illustration figure.

SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON: MY PENCILS DRAWING OF ZUHAIR MURAD'S DRESS VS. MY OWN DESIGN

USING WATERCOLOUR PENCILS FOR A FASHION ILLUSTRATION: THE PROCESS

I wasn't sure about how to go about using watercolour pencils so I decided to just draw the fashion illustration and then use a brush only when the illustration was already drawn. That is what I did, I applied the water with the brush only when I finished drawing with watercolour illustration. The whole process was easier than I thought it would be. Sure, I'll work on the technique some more and try out new ways of using watercolour pencils but this first try went pretty well.  I took quite a few photographs while drawing this fashion illustration, so that I can put together a self-explanatory collage for you (just in case you're interested in the drawing process). As you can see, I started with a general outline and then I filled out the details with the watercolour pencils colours of my choice.
 Bellow you can have a look at the two collages I prepared and  see:
 a) a collage showing the drawing process,
b) a collage comparison of the fashion illustration before and after applying water.

THE END RESULT AND THE REDBUBBLE PRINTS

All in all, I'm happy with how this fashion illustration turned out. I liked it so much, I decided to make it available as a print in my Redbubble shop where you can find it on 57 different products (home accessories, clocks, clothes and more).  Now that I remembered  that I still have a Redbubble shop, I'll probably be uploading new work there some times soon. I like how fashion illustration prints look on products. I might even order one sticker for myself, they are so cute. I once ordered a tote bag with a fashion illustration from my redbubble shop and I liked it. I eventually gave it to my aunt because she liked it a lot but I will probably order another one in the future. These kind of shops are ideal for lovers of art or prints because they allow you to order arty products.

FASHION LADY IN RED REDBUBBLE PRODUCTS COLLAGE

AVAILABLE IN MY REDBUBBLE SHOP IVANA KADA

A RED A-LINE DRESS WITH A FASHION ILLUSTRATION PRINT

MY OUTFIT OF THE DAY 

(FEATURING A FRINGED DIY NECKLACE 

THAT CAN ALSO BE WORN AS A HAIR ACCESSORY)

I've had this lovely wrap dress for a while and the pink heels aren't new either, but there is something new about this outfit and it's an item I made myself. Today's outfit is centered around one accessory. Remember how I told you that I made a couple of necklaces from recycled materials while I was on island Hvar? Well, it turns out that these necklaces can be worn as hair accessories as well.  Most of the pieces I make and design can be worn as hair accessories. Sometimes I design them this way and sometimes it is an afterthought. At any rate, I do enjoy creating jewellery that can be worn in more ways than one. Hair accessories are always a fun thing to do. With a bit of creative thinking, you can wear a lot of your jewellery items as hair accessories. Anything from brooches to necklaces can make for a fun hair accessory. Give it a try sometimes! You can see some of the necklaces I designed in the past here, here and here. 

 As always, thank you for visiting and commenting. Let me know what you think of my new art. I will be joining the Nancy's Fancy Friday Linkup with this look!