DRESSING THE FASHION FIGURE
CLOTHES AS PART OF THE PAGE COMPOSITION
Try to stay focused—emphasize only the most important elements of the outfit. Superimposing contrasting elements in one look or composition often creates unexpectedly strong focal points, (i.e. a micro mini skirt and a ground sweeping coat as one look).
Showcasing clothes while making an editorial statement is the main purpose of fashion illustration. Style and attitude can be achieved through the design of positive and negative spaces. The layering of clothes and the use of accessories can help shape the silhouette. The more exaggerated the figure, the more dramatic the negative space will be.
THE BODY & GARMENTS
The rules of gravity and perspective affect the way garments fit the body. Several key points listed below are essential for realistic and proportioned garment illustration.
Clothes should respond to the movement of the body, creating creases and folds in the garment. Most excess fabric has a tendency to hang or fall down due to gravity.
Garments follow the body’s movement in perspective: details located above the waist follow the shoulder direction; below the waist, they follow the hip direction (figures 1 and 2).
Figure 1
Figure 2
With the exception of tight body shapers, most clothes fit with a certain amount of ease. Each layer should fit slightly looser than the previous one (figure 3). Garments should reflect the cylindrical form of the body underneath (figure 4).
Figure 3
Figure 4
FASHION LAYERS
This illustration style is initiated with a precise ink drawing. Block the base colours quickly, leaving highlights and adding shadows for a dimensional effect. The skin tone is executed in layers. Clothes are gradually added to the model and each subsequent layer changes the figure’s proportions and silhouette.
Fabric volume can completely overwhelm the figure and can make it difficult to see the body’s shape and proportions. Each garment layer will shape the silhouette of the figure according to its construction and style.
DRESSING WITH ATTITUDE
A change in the figure’s attitude, ever so slightly, can modify the perception of a look. Different ways of styling a single outfit can also create a variety of looks, and garments can be modernized by incorporating accessories. Contradictory styling and poses are often used in fashion illustration and photography to convey a specific mood and attitude.
