FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: A PEAK INTO MY SKETCHBOOK

Hello dear readers and welcome to another edition of FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY, a regular feature on my blog where I share my fashion illustrations. Today we'll have a peak into one of my smaller sketchbooks. In other words, I'll show you some new fashion sketches and portraits. Nothing elaborative, just some free hand sketches and design ideas. However, I will also show you two outfits (for those of you who are more interested in clothes than sketches and art talk). Let's get started!

MORE OF MY RECENT PORTRAIT ART HERE- A STYLIZED MINI PORTRAIT SKETCH & 5 MINI PORTRAIT  SKETCHES

My fashion sketches are all about spring and summer vibes. You can see I sketched jumpsuits, skirts, dresses and tops. The colours are lively, there are some lovely red and pinks, blues, purples and greens. Cut out and see through details have started to appear more in my illustrations.  Most of these sketches were made during one one (sleepless) night. Insomnia has plagued me this April. Anyhow, I tried to see how long will it take me for a basic outline. It turns out about one to two minutes. The colouring took a bit longer, but most of these were completed within ten minutes. 

Sometimes it is good to limit your time and to see what you can draw in a short span of time. Mostly, because that makes you examine your technique.  I remember I read it as an art tip somewhere long time ago. I still use it at times when I want to see whether my technique has improved or not. Sometimes the technique changes and I can't really figure out is it for the good or the bad. These things take time. A lot of artists are obsessed with developing their own style but it is something that cannot be forced- and you can have more than one style. Working quickly can teach you something about your styles, make you see what are the things you want to keep even when you don't focus on details. Moreover, when you work in a short span of time, it can be a good way to just get ideas out of your system. It gives you an opportunity to draw things you usually wouldn't. You have seen me share 100 and 50 hour detailed paintings (mostly acrylic on canvas). So, as you can imagine, I haven't been devoting that much time to fashion illustration. However, I still keep it up by sketching when ever I can grab those extra half an hour or ten minutes.  

OUTFIT #1: GREETING SPRING WITH BURGUNDY TONES, BECAUSE WHY NOT? 

The outfit I'm wearing is pretty simple and guess what: once again I shopped my closet. I like to wear burgundy all year around. As a colour burgundy is often associated with Autumn, but I don't feel like giving it away this Spring so I'm continuing to wear it. You can see how I styled this burgundy jacket here and this burgundy bag here. I'm also wearing a blue shirt (here) paired with a light beige pleated skirt (worn here) and Peko boots (here). 

 MINI WATERCOLOUR PORTRAITS - MERMAID HAIR VIBES

Bellow you can see 3 watercolour portraits that were inspired by mermaid hair. Besides drawing fashion sketches, I also love to illustrate hairstyles and accessories. I included both pencil sketches as well as the finished watercolour pencil sketch. As you know, when I work with watercolour pencils, the final step is adding water so that I can get that watercolour effect.  That is what I did with these portraits and I took some 'work in progress' photographs so that I can show it to you. Who is your favourite from these three illustrated girls? My personal favourite is the girl with blue hair and red earrings. I drew these without a reference (all of the illustrations in this post really). 

OUTFIT #2: WEARING A T-SHIRT WITH MY FASHION ILLUSTRATION

Before we peak into my sketchbook again, I'll show you another outfit. This pleated blue skirt has been featured on my blog multiple times since I got it from my sister-in-law (see ten ways to wear it here). The boots are from Šimecki (here) and you can see how I styled this scarf before here. I also wore this grey blazer (also from my sister-in-law) but I took it off because it was warm. To finish this look there is a t-shirt with my fashion illustration. I ordered this t-shirt from a local printer (as opposed to my redbubble shop where this design was made available a long time ago). Redbubble has better print quality, but what I like about ordering from a local printer is that you can take your old t-shirts to have them printed and that option is obviously more sustainable. So, I would say both ordering from established printing companies and from local printers has its pros and cons. Printing companies definitely have their advantages, you don't have to worry about the shipping, they do all that for you, you just have to pay. Recently I ordered a mug for a friend and all I had to do was to click a few times (as opposed to actually painting on a mug and then mailing it- I could do that too but it would be more time consuming even if more special). I'm still undecided to what I actually prefer: local printers or online experience. I think I could actually negotiate with local printers and see can I get a better quality print. I'm sure they would be willing to invest a bit more time if you pay them more. I think for gifts I would probably choose Redbubble because it worked well, but for myself personally I would probably choose the local printer again.  Mostly because I actually have textile paints at home and I can always 'touch up' a print. You know painting on clothes really isn't that difficult. You don't have to order from either a local or an Internet printing company. Why not try illustrating your t-shirts yourself? Why not create your own printed and graphic t-shirts?  I wrote many a post with detailed instructions for painting on clothes. If you don't have any painting or drawing skills you can always print out a design and trace it onto your shirt. Just don't steal the design from an actual artist, find a vintage fashion illustration to print out and trace or something like that. HERE IS MY POST ABOUT PAINTING ON CLOTHES WITH TEXTILE PAINTS!

A FEW MORE SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS

Bellow I included a few more sketches and portraits made using watecolour pencils or regular pencils. The first portrait with the yellow aura is made with watercolour pencils as I'm sure you can tell. The bikini top illustration was also made with watercolour pencils (I think), but I haven't found the time to paint it yet. 

TWO MORE PORTRAITS, ONE INSPIRED BY HISTORICAL FASHION, THE OTHER WITH  PINK HAIR

Two more portraits and we'll close my sketchbook for today. Isn't my basket cute btw? You know I salvaged it from basement and painted it myself with white acrylic paints. Putting flowers inside was another fun decor idea. I love doing things like that. 

As for these two sketches, one is as you can see inspired by historical fashion. The brunette is wearing a cape and a dramatic collar. The pink hair lady has a much more modern appearance. As with all the sketches I shared today, there was no reference used, just my imagination. That would be all, folks!

Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a lovely weekend ahead!