Fashion Sketching For Beginners

In the past two years I have designed four dress collections (Time flies!). Each time I've shared a collection here we have received tons of requests for a how-to post about fashion sketching. I am self-taught (and still learning!), but I thought it would be fun to share a little bit about my process. I hope that some of you feel inspired to pull out your pens and pencils and notebooks today. Fashion sketching isn't nearly as intimidating as I once thought it would be.  

1. Create a good croquis. A croquis is the basic drawing of a model pose that you can trace over and over again while sketching your fashion ideas. You can find croquis to use online or in books, or you can create your own. I created my first croquis years ago by tracing a pose on a vintage pattern. Typically, croquis are exaggerated tall model forms. But what if you want to design for someone else, say a child or a plus sized woman? Make your own! Here's how I do it...1. Print a photo that has a good pose and body form that you want to design for. I chose a couple photo with my husband because sometimes I enjoy designing "his and her" looks. 2. Using window light, trace the basic body shape on a new piece of paper. 3. Use your new croquis, by tracing over it with a fresh sheet of paper, to sketch your own new designs over and over again. Fun, right?!2. Don't stress, just practice. Instead of stressing over getting the perfect sketches, just start where you are and practice. Before I shared any of my sketches (even with my friends) I was sketching for a whole year in secret notebooks. Each time a notebook was full I would rip out my favorite designs and start a new one, throwing the rest out. Nothing can replace quality practice time. It's the only way to grow and develop. You'll gain confidence as you go! 

3. Focus on developing a style of your own. There are a lot of things that determine the unique style of your illustrations. Do you want to use watercolors, markers or colored pencils? How will you illustrate the faces on your models? How much styling will you include? All of these little details will work together to create a look that is distinctly yours! Focus on creating sketches that express your unique aesthetic with each element.Recources I recommend: When I first started learning to sketch, my pal Mallory let me borrow Figure Drawing for Fashion Design. It was super helpful for learning the basics. I also highly recommend The Fashion Sketchpad (pictured above). It is a notebook with 420 figure templates to sketch on. I have been using it for a few years and absolutely love it for quick sketching and traveling! 

Thanks so much for reading. If you love to sketch fashion ideas, feel free to leave your own tips and resources in the comments! xo. Elsie 

Comments

[kelsey {from p.s.heart}]

this was super helpful! I've always been nervous to try...but I love the idea of tracing over a photo (or even a picture in a magazine) to get a basic outline :)
thanks elsie!

[Raquel]

Cool!!! Such a functional post :) Lovely!

http://doitnaturalnow.blogspot.com.es/

[jenny]

this is so great. When I was younger, I used to fill notebooks with fashion designs of my own. I loved it and there was a time when I thought for sure that I would be a fashion designer. Then as I got older, I found love for SO MANY things that now I just create what I want. I have been thinking about fashion again lately though as my little girl now enjoys drawing outfits and coloring them.
I may just need to designate one of my sketch pads for fashion again! :)
thanks for the inspiration!

[Jennifer]

Love it. I've been drawing fashion sketches since I was a little girl so I just got these notebooks for my 10 yo daughter - http://fashionary.org/

[Keri-Anne]

Oh my! Thank you so much for this post! I am the worse possible drawer but i wish wish that i could draw. I am excited to try these tips out! Thank you thank you

Keri-Anne
http://gingerlillytea.blogspot.com

[magda]

hi there! i absolutely loved this post,so much inspiration! However,could you please suggest more similar skechpads since the one mentioned in the post can not be delivered to my country(Greece) ? thanks anyway,you are awesome.

[Stephanie May*]

I would LOVE to be able to fashion sketch! I love these tips because you're right - without practice, you're never going to get better! Thanks for the recommendations!

Love,
Stephanie May*

http://www.maydae.com

[Talia Christine]

This is so neat! I always wondered how you did this! They (obviously) matched so well and I LOVED seeing your behind-the-scene sketches! Thanks for sharing :)

♥ Talia Christine
http://taliachristine.blogspot.com

[Charlie Cécile]

These are some great tips! I'm a studio art major and we learn a lot about these things, but sometimes it can be so overwhelming. It's nice to see a post where all the main points are higlighted. Love your style :)

http://www.charliececile.com

[Chantel]

I had just made a post about fashion sketching and how terrible i am. http://threadsbychantel.blogspot.ca/2013/02/dragon-phoenix-dress.html
Thanks for the tips and the book recommendations.

[Sony F.]

:D i used to trace over sooo many magazine models! I no longer need it but it always helps for practice.

A little trick i do for when i sketch clothes is not giving a lot of matter over the long of the girl in the sketch, actually a lot of designers draw really (REALLY) long women, mostly because it helps visualize their designs and also cause models are freaky tall .... but it help me with clothes :3 to focus on style, instead of focusing over anatomy. (draw long and short girls! it doesnt matter)

[Rachel]

I love designing and sewing clothes, but never really drew them out on people because I thought it was something that only professionals did. I didn't know it would be this easy!

[Isabel Knowles]

This is so funny, I just started practicing my fashion illustration today as I really want to improve. You are right, it really is all about building confidence & getting the practice in.

Also, thanks for reminding me of that book, 'Figure Drawing for Fashion Design' I actually have that (somewhere!) & now I must find it! Great post :)

I'm hoping to be able to post some of my new fashion illustrations on my blog soon, but it's hard to be brave enough.

Isabel.X
www.isabelknowles.com

[Chloe Moon]

Omg I want to go home and draw now!! =)

http://chloemoonergo.blogspot.com

[Helen]

This is so interesting, I'm just starting to try drawing more after believing I had absolutely no ability. Practise and a bit of self belief are getting me far
http://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/

[Mariana]

You're awesome! Just showed how easy this process could be to my older sister - she loves it. I've really been pushing her to get creative, so this is truly wonderful! Thanks again for the post!

[Danka]

You make all creative adventures seem easy and doable - I love that about your blog!

xx
http://thepeppermintstore.blogspot.co.uk/

[Tori]

Thank you for sharing this!

[Margherita]

This is so quite and smart!

http://www.theironyou.com

[Cristi]

Loved this post! Very interesting & inspiring. Makes me want to be more confident in my sketches. Thanks for sharing! x