31 Jul 2012

WhatIWore: I’ve been playing around with sketching again and thought I’d share some of my favorites with you! I used the Kate Spade New York Fall 2012 presentation (top), and the new J.Crew Fall Lookbook (bottom) for inspiration. I sketched these in ink (Micron 01, 03 & 05) on drawing paper. I have so many other ideas I can’t wait to get onto paper! 

28 Jul 2011

WhatIWore: Recently I had a request to share what supplies/materials I use to create my sketches. Here’s what I use:

For pre-sketching I use a notebook of Strathmore Sketch paper. But let’s be real, any basic paper will do for this step.

Next I trace my original drawing onto nicer paper (I’ve been using Borders & Riley #120 Bristol Velum). It’s sturdy and great for piling on layers of color. I try to fit as many illustrations on one piece (because it’s pricy stuff!)

For my line work, I use Micron capturing all the fine detail with the 01 pen.  I outline each garment in a larger pen, usually either 05 or 08.

Finally, good markets make all the difference.  I invested in a full set of Prismacolor markers before I started illustrating the book. I’ve also used Tria markers, which are also good.

Before I was able to drop all that dough on the full set, I would buy colors according to whatever I was designing (this was mostly in college) and vary in skin tones. You can absolutely create beautiful illustrations with a small set of shades.