How to Teach Yourself to Do Fashion Design Sketches
When designing clothing, the process in which the ideas dancing around in your mind translates onto a blank page in your sketchbook is rooted in the fundamentals of sketching. You may have some creative fashion ideas, but are not sure of how to go about making the transition from mind to paper. Fortunately, there is a step-by-step process for basic fashion sketching. The most fundamental of fashion sketching involves what is called a fashion croquis; a silhouette of the unclothed body, in correct proportion, which is used over and over to draw different design ideas. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Croquis template
- Sketch pad
- Tracing paper, medium weight
- Masking tape
- Vellum
- Pencils
- Colored pencils, watercolors or colored markers
- Black markers (fine- and medium-tip)
- Gum eraser
- Copy machine
Instructions
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1
Leaern how to sketch a design using a croquis. Print a copy of the croquis (see Resources). Tape the four corners of the page down onto your drawing table with four small pieces of masking tape.
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Choose a basic style or styles of clothing you would like to sketch (for example, a tank-style sleeveless dress with a flared skirt).
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3
Fold a piece of tracing paper in half lengthwise. Unfold so the paper is the original size.
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4
Place the tracing paper over the croquis, matching the vertical fold with the dotted line down the center of the croquis. Tape down the four corners of the tracing paper.
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5
Sketch the outline of the dress with your pencil on the right side of the croquis. It is up to you to design the details, such as how low to make the neckline, how long or flared the skirt should be, and how fitted the design is.
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Repeat step 5 on the left side.
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Add details. Be creative and add your own ideas, such as a tiny ruffle around the hem, or a large polka-dot print.
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Go over the general silhouette of the dress pencil lines with the medium black marker. Remove the tracing by gently lifting up the tape on the corners.
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9
Make a copy of the tracing on a copy machine. Add color or more details to the copy using colored pencils or markers.
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10
Transfer your sketches in a freehand manner to your sketchbook once you have become comfortable and confident with the sketching process. Watercolor can be used in the sketch book, but not on the copy, as water will cause the copy ink to run.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider taking a figure drawing class. Understanding how to quickly sketch the human form is essential for designing clothing.
Use vellum when you desire a clean, finished look. Permanent markers work well on vellum, and vellum can be used for tracing as well.
Resources
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