FRIDAY FASHION ILLUSTRATION: REFERENCE IS IMPORTANT!

Hello darlings! It's Friday and that means one thing- more fashion illustration talk and work. Read my last post in this category here. Today I have two new fashion illustrations to share with you. I drew both of them using photographs of myself (taken by my husband) as a reference. The medium is once again watercolour pencils (Staedtler brand) on paper. If you have followed my blog recently, you might have noticed that I often use these pencils for fashion illustration.


As you can see, there are two outfits that I illustrated. One is a winter outfit I wore couple of years ago for a visit to Međugorje and the other is a spring outfit I wore for a visit to historical (MEDIEVAL) fair in Stolac, Bosnia and Herzegovina (READ MORE HERE). 

SHOULD YOU USE A REFRENCE WHEN PRACTISING FASHION ILLUSTRATION?

Is reference important? Should I drew with a reference or from imagination? My answer would be that you should do both. When I wrote about ten ways to improve your fashion illustration skills, both drawing with and without reference made my list of tips.  I said that drawing with reference is important because it not only teaches you how to draw what you see but it also teaches you to look and pay attention to details. Similarly, drawing without a reference is important because it teaches you to see with your mind's eye.  Both is important to challenge yourself. Sometimes you can combine both, as I did with the illustration bellow. I used different colours then in the original photograph, but the inspiration is still visible. 

If you like this fashion illustration and would like to see more, you have a look these similar posts: DIGITAL RETOUCHING WITH PAINT 3D,  LADY IN A LILAC DRESS and BALL PAINT FASHION ILLUSTRATION. Moreover, you're more than welcome welcome to visit my previous Friday Fashion Illustration Posts:- FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: WATERCOLOUR PENCILS -IVANA'S FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY- FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: INSPIRED BY COLOURS OF AUTUMN- A GIRL IN A RED GOWN: FASHION ILLUSTRATION OF THE DAY-CUSTOMIZING A NOTEBOOK WITH A FASHION ILLUSTRATION- FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: ILLUSTRATING A BLACK DRESS FROM DOLCE & GABBANA COLLECTION- 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR FASHION ILLUSTRATION SKILLS- HOW TO CREATE A 3D FASHION ILLUSTRATION DRESS WITH DRY FLOWERS?- FRIDAY FASHION ILLUSTRATION: HAT OBSESSED -FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY INSPIRED BY SUMMER STYLE- FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: SUMMER TO AUTUMN TRANSITION- FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: ILLUSTRATED TOTE BAGS-FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: HAT OBSESSED - FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: NEW AUTUMN INSPIRED ART FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: MY INSPIRATIONS


THE GREEN TARTAN JACKET AND SKATER DRESS OUTFIT
I actually already illustrated this outfit before, but this was the first time I did it in colour. Scroll bellow to see work in progress photographs as well as the digital version of this illustration that I uploaded to my redbubble shop. 




This watercolour pencil illustration is quite photograph accurate when it comes to clothes, but the face is more stylized. 

THE GYPSY INSPIRED OUTFIT AND THE DIY BROOCH
Bellow is a few more photographs of my gypsy inspired outfit accompanied with a photograph of a DIY brooch I made myself. I sewed this brooch from vintage fabric as a gift for a friend. Isn't it cute? I actually made a few of them, I can't wait to show them all to you. 








SOME LINKS IN CASE YOU WANT TO CHECK MORE OF MY ART: 

ANOTHER ART UPDATE HERE: MARKER ILLUSTRATIONS AND DIGITAL
BEFORE THAT: FIVE WATERCOLOUR PORTRAITS
BEFORE THAT: ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, BLIDINJE MOUNTAIN CHURCH
FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: DECEMBER
INSPIRED BY MICA, SHEILA AND BLAIR + my previous INSPIRED BY POSTS starting with the most recent ones: 





As always, thank you for visit. Many of my paintings and illustrations are available as prints on redbubble and arthaus, but if you have any inquiries about buying originals you may send me an email. 
 

Comments

  1. Sheila19 February 2021 at 17:54

    I love the skater dress one - the face and the way she's holding her hair is really good. You've captured your own expression well, Ivana.

    It's a mental block for a lot of people to both draw what they see and to also draw from their imagination - it takes practice to flip that switch back and forth for many, until you get used to taking what you want from what you see and then creating what's in your mind's eye.

    Lovely! I really enjoy seeing your art. :)

    I hope you're doing well, my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anca20 February 2021 at 02:20

    I love both the illustration of the green bow outfit and the outfit. The other looks lovely too, of course, but that green one just stands out. Well done! xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pablo Parra (Fungi)20 February 2021 at 03:46

    Hey Ivana, I hope you're enjoying this weekend so far :)

    You are bringing an important topic to the conversation. This is a question that many people ask when it comes to start drawing fashion illustration, and not only fashion illustration but also when it comes to start drawing. References are crucial and in order to display clothes (which should be the main character in the fashion illustration) you have to document and do a proper research. But I totally agree with you that you can combine both resources in order to add your own touch.

    For example sometime I grab a random pose and then adapt it a bit and twist some elements and then think about the clothes and put them in that body, sometimes is otherwise but it is a method that every illustrator can sharp with practice.

    Thanks for sharing impressive art with us!

    Best,
    Pablo
    Hey Fungi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split22 February 2021 at 00:49

      I do so agree with you. Every illustrator can sharp this method with some practice. Displaying clothes in a fashion illustration often demands some research. You need to think about how the clothes fit the body and how they move.

      Delete
  4. Ananka20 February 2021 at 03:51

    Amazing artwork. And I love the brooch too :-D

    ReplyDelete
  5. ellie20 February 2021 at 05:31

    Such beautiful color. Love the small details you have created too. Lovely Friday post!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The Exclusive Beauty Diary20 February 2021 at 05:31

    Predivne ilustracije. Obje su jako lijepe, ali ova zelena sa suknjom mi je nekako posebna. Kombinacija boja je savršena.

    New Post - https://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2021/02/the-unrivaled-skincare-products-that.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. Caitlin'nMegan20 February 2021 at 05:32

    Wonderful illustrations! You are so creative!

    ReplyDelete
  8. The Padre20 February 2021 at 07:11

    Love The Helmet - Enjoy The Rest Of The Weekend

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  9. Polyester Princess20 February 2021 at 10:35

    Amazing illustrations as always. I particularly love the way you captured yourself wearing the skater dress and tartan jacket. I'm also loving your handmade brooch, which I'm sure pleased your friend very much. Have a lovely Saturday evening and Sunday, Ivana xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split22 February 2021 at 01:16

      Thank you dear. I'm glad you like it. I also thought of you when I made it because I know you like brooches.

      Delete
  10. Sofía Moral20 February 2021 at 10:51

    I´m absolutely in love with the illustration from the green tartan jacket! I wish I could have one in my wardrobe. In adittion, the brooch is so cool and colorful
    By the way, I´m currently trying to start doing some fashion illustrations, do you have any tips for beginners? Thanks
    Kisses from https://sophisticatedmeblog.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split22 February 2021 at 01:29

      Yes, I can recommend Zoe Hong. Look her up on YouTube and social media, she has got some great freebies and tutorials. My recommendation is to learn the basics first and start with one or two mediums- pencils, watercolour or markers. Don't switch too much between mediums while you're still a beginner.

      Delete
  11. Mica20 February 2021 at 13:35

    Oh I love the green jacket and scarf one! it's a beautiful colour combo with the lighter and darker green and you captured the texture of the tartan jacket really well! I can't wait to see more of your brooches too, that one you shared looks lovely!

    Hope that you are having a good weekend!

    Away From Blue

    ReplyDelete
  12. Martyna20 February 2021 at 14:11

    Beautiful illustrations!:) Have a nice day :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. J.P. Alexander20 February 2021 at 16:49

    Te quedaron los bocetos muy bien te mando un beso y buen fin de semana

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nancy 's Fashion Style21 February 2021 at 00:36

    I can't even draw a straight line! I always admired a drawing skill on others. It must be very relaxing!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Witchcrafted Life21 February 2021 at 17:54

    Seriously gorgeous! You captured the texture and earthy vibrancy of that elegant green jacket superbly in your illustration of it. Fantastic work across the board!

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

    ReplyDelete
  16. Vix22 February 2021 at 00:11

    I love these! The tweed jacket with the scarf tied into a bow is particularly lovely! x

    ReplyDelete
  17. The Velvet Runway22 February 2021 at 03:57

    Both outfits are beautiful and your fashion illustrations are amazing! You really are so creative and talented!
    Julia x
    https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/

    ReplyDelete
  18. Rostrose22 February 2021 at 13:12

    These are very beautiful fashion illustrations again, dear Ivana! I also believe that it is good to draw or paint according to a model, a reference, because you learn a lot from it. I haven't painted for a few years now (currently I'm more interested in photography), but I used to copy paintings or used photos as templates, but also painted according to my imagination.
    Hugs and best wishes,
    Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2021/02/zwei-ausfluge-und-ein-blumchenkleid.html

    ReplyDelete
  19. R's Rue22 February 2021 at 16:16

    Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Marisa Cavaleiro25 February 2021 at 13:25

    I love both ways, when you draw with a reference or with your imagination, they are too damn beautiful!
    xoxo

    marisasclosetblog.com

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

All your comments mean a lot to me, even the criticism. Naravno da mi puno znači što ste uzeli vrijeme da nešto napišete, pa makar to bila i kritika. Per me le vostre parole sono sempre preziose anche quando si tratta di critiche.

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