How to Draw Fashion Figure Illustrations

Fashion drawing.

Drawing is a great outlet for creativity and a great way to use your imagination. Learn to use a framework that will allow you to draw your fashion figure illustrations and use reference in conjunction with your imagination to add accuracy to your drawings. You can use the same model drawing and template over and over by photocopying your final line drawing.

Things You'll Need

• Pencils
• Fine-liner or ballpoint pen
• A4 white paper (standard printer paper available everywhere)
• Eraser
• Pencil sharpener
• Anatomy reference
• Camera

Instructions

1. Find reference images of men, women and children in natural poses. If you can, try to shoot your own reference, as you will own the copyright to the image. Use your pencil and break down the human body into basic shapes to be used as a guideline.

2. Build up the muscles and body mass of the figure with faint pencil lines, using the reference to help. Use the eraser here if you need to. Accuracy is important, but there is no need for minute details. Keep the drawing fairly loose.

3. Draw the figures with care and notice the differences between male and female figures, beyond the obvious. Your figure should clearly read as male or female without any details. This will be important when designing the clothes that will sit on top of your figure template. Shadows and face details are not important here.

4. Draw over the pencil lines you want to keep, with your pen, once the sketch is finished. Take care when doing this as mistakes cannot be erased. The pen ink should be left to dry for a few moments before you erase the pencil lines to avoid smudging. You should be left with a clean line drawing.

5. Photocopy the templates of the figures you draw so you can use them over and over again to design many items of clothing and outfits. Draw many different templates with different poses for variety.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can't find good reference, shoot your own

• Try using a mechanical pencil for clean lines

• Draw the figure from the side and the back as well for a 360-degree view

• Building up a portfolio of reference images will help when you attempt further drawings

• Pens can leak so be aware of this

• Don't trace your reference as you won't learn anything

References

• Fashion-Era: Fashion Drawing Tutorial Tips

Resources

• Fashion Sketches: About Fashion Sketches