A STYLIZED MINI PORTRAIT SKETCH

 Today I I reached for my mini sketchbook again. I remembered this cute stylized mini portrait sketch that I haven't shared yet. When I say a stylized portrait, it means that the portrait isn't mean to be realistic. You can think of it as a creative and non-realistic portrait style. What is typically meant as stylized portrait invokes images of anime, fashion illustration, Disney or any mainstream cartoon drawing style to my mind. You know, the big or exaggerated eyes, barely there nose and puffy lips- that kind of thing. I typically draw in this style only when I'm making fashion illustrations. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure it was my intention to draw in this style for this mini portrait. In all honesty, I made this sketch to practice drawing hands and food. In addition, choosing this reference might had something to do with my sugar craving. I have temporarily cut all sugar from my diet so I'm taking comfort in illustrating sweets. I do have a sweet tooth but I'm mindful of my sugar intake and if health reasons require it, I can say no to sugar. I uploaded this illustration to my Redbubble shop. 


ART TIP OF THE DAY: YOU DON'T HAVE TO STICK TO THE REFERENCE
My art tip of the day will be short and sweet. When using reference, remember that you don't have to follow it closely. Sometimes you can use a reference loosely. For example, the only thing I really wanted to take from this reference was the long spoon and the hand position. That is what attracted me to using this specific reference.  I like to use my own photographs (or those taken by my husband) as a reference for two reasons. One is to avoid copyright issues, the other is that I have an actual memory of the place and that helps for a variety of reasons. So, when I want to practice illustrating, I browse my archives. If you don't have a rich archive to rely on, remember that there are specific online sites with free references for artists, painters and illustrators that you can use. I haven't used them yet, but if I ever do, I'll share my experiences. Back to the subject that is- changing up your reference to suit your idea. 
As you can see, I changed a lot of things in my illustration. First, I didn't go realistic to start with. Then, I changed the colours of the outfit because I was going for spring vibes and this reference photograph is from November last year (and all about the Autumn colours). Instead of illustrating a hot chocolate drink, I illustrated strawberry  and chocolate ice-cream. I also changed the position of the head a bit.



THE PROCESS OF MAKING THIS ILLUSTRATION


STEP #1- SKETCH WITH AN ORDINARY PENCIL
Bellow you can see my pencil sketch. I don't know how well you can see the pencil sketch so I added another darkened photograph underneath that should give you a general idea of how I sketched this mini portrait. 


STEP #2 - SKETCHING WITH WATERCOLOUR PENCILS
The next step was sketching with watercolour pencils. As you can see, there is also some transfer from another portrait drawing I did. That happens in sketchbooks sometimes if you aren't careful. 

#STEP 3- ADDING WATER TO TURN IT INTO AN AQUARELLE PORTRAIT SKETCH
Finally, here is the finished look. I added water to turn it into a watercolour sketch.  I even signed my name. 
MORE LINKS TO MY OLDER POSTS, FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT WANT TO SEE MORE OF MY FASHION ILLUSTRATION ACTIVITY

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

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: 

Thank you all for reading and commenting. Have a nice day!

Comments

  1. Sheila7 April 2021 at 16:31

    Using "artistic license" is one of the most important things! You aren't there to reproduce an image exactly, but to play with it and tease out the emotion that you see.

    I try not to eat a lot of sugar, but that fancy coffee does look yummy! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split10 April 2021 at 01:18

      It's a hold chocolate and yes it was very yummy.

      Delete
  2. J.P. Alexander7 April 2021 at 18:17

    Te quedo muy bien el color de su ropa es muy lindo. Te mando un beso y de paso me dejaste con ganas de tu chocolate caliente.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Padre7 April 2021 at 18:20

    Check You Out - You Scream - We Scream - We All Scream For Ice Cream

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lovely7 April 2021 at 19:27

    Beautifully done, Ivana! Great work!
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Alek :D8 April 2021 at 03:42

    Zaista mi je drago što si objavila članak sa koracima kako crtaš svoje ilustracije! Sviđaju mi se zaista, zanimljiv i prepoznatljiv stil crteža, zaista tvoji crteži zaslužuju pažnju! Volim i vodene boje iako dugo nisam ih koristio. Zadnjih par godina crtam samo olovkama hehehe. Inspirisala si me da se malo vratim vodenim bojama!

    Alekboras.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split10 April 2021 at 02:44

      Hvala. Ja isto crtam olovkom, za neke stvari olovka je najbolja.

      Delete
  6. Caitlin'nMegan8 April 2021 at 05:29

    So glad you find inspiration everywhere!

    ReplyDelete
  7. ellie8 April 2021 at 05:39

    Really inspiring! I had a friend who took selfies with all her expressions and then she traced over them with tracing paper to help her with her characters in a graphic novel she was creating.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Polyester Princess8 April 2021 at 10:58

    Whatever its intention, I really love this mini portrait. I think you did the hands very well indeed. I had to smile when you mentioned the sugar craving, and that you're taking comfort in illustrating sweets :-) I'm not cutting sugar from my life altogether, far from it, but I have stopped eating sweets, which I often indulged in when I was still working full time. But I still get sugar cravings from time to time, which sometimes I give in to and other times not. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split10 April 2021 at 14:34

      Thank you. I gave up on the no sugar diet as it didn't get me any results but I'm always careful of my sugar intake.

      Delete
  9. R's Rue8 April 2021 at 11:09

    Beautiful. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

    ReplyDelete
  10. Marisa Cavaleiro8 April 2021 at 11:33

    Hi
    I think that Art is just seeing beyond what our eyes see, so it doesn't have to be a copy of your reference !!
    Yes, it is necessary to be cautious about the works of artists and their licenses, but I think you are an excellent model for your art, look at this portrait so beautiful !!!
    xoxo

    marisasclosetblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Woman Today8 April 2021 at 12:47

    Lovely portrait and it is very resembling too. The changes you have made to your clothing and consumation is very appropriate for this season.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jodie's Touch of Style8 April 2021 at 17:49

    Your fabulous sketch almost reminds me of the series we just fashioned about inspiration from a photo instead of imitation!! And it's fabulous.
    I too have pretty much given up on sugar. I always had a sweet tooth, so it's not easy. But I know it's good for me.
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ananka9 April 2021 at 07:12

    Nice sketch and loving the photo of the you and coffee you sketches from :-D

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ivana Split10 April 2021 at 01:17

    dzijekuje

    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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