WaterLily - Illustration

Catwalk Look

My final illustration pieces were to illustrate a catwalk look from the Spring Summer 2023 collections from each fashion Capital; London, Paris, Milan and New York. The illustration style was two different illustrator's styles merged together.

This catwalk look was from the Yves Saint Laurent collection in Paris. The two illustration styles were from Sandra Suy and Zhenya. In my illustration, both styles were blended together. Any block colour or colour outline was from Zhenya's style, and the blended/block white areas were from Sandra Suy's style. Just a white outline can be seen in both illustration styles and were similar because of this. The figure was drawn out in pencil first using the grid method and doubled up images. Pastels were then used as the medium as this is what both Sandra Suy and Zhenya use for their illustrations. White, brown, green and a small amount of yellow coloured pastels were used, and was illustrated on brown card. I then tore away the card around the illustration (around one centimetre away) instead of cutting it as it would then have a softer looking edge.

I then began to arrange the presentation of the page, starting with the placement of the illustrators' examples. I placed them on one side of the page where the Designer title would go, and the illustration and title of the Fashion Capital (Paris) went on the other side. I ripped up some pieces of the brown card to be placed on parts of the pages underneath the images and titles. The titles where then drafted out in pencil and fine-liner was used on top once I was happy with the size and place. I also printed out a large picture of the Eiffel Tower (to represent Paris) to go alongside of the illustration. Everything was stuck in place and I added the names of the illustrators next the examples of their work.

Catwalk Looks

My final illustration pieces were to illustrate a catwalk look from the Spring Summer 2023 collections from each fashion Capital; London, Paris, Milan and New York. The illustration style was two different illustrator's styles merged together.

This catwalk look was from the Tokyo James collection in Milan. The two illustration styles were from Samantha Charles and Lara Wolf. Samantha Charles' style can be seen on parts such as the watercolour wash behind the figure, parts of the shading, the legs, and even the little orange coloured parts, such as on the bag and the shoes. Lara Wolf's style can be seen throughout the rest of the illustration, such as the jacket, bag and face. The (full) outline was drawn out in pencil first, using the grid method and doubled up measurements. Fine-liner and a felt tip pen were used to create the shodow illustration style, and watercolour was used for little details like the colouring.

After I had finished my illustration and was happy with it, I began the layout of the pages. The theme of the presentation was orange and to use small bursts of of the colour across the page. This highlighted the small amounts of colour used on the illustration and mimicked Samantha Charles' style of having the colour around the figure instead of on it. The images and illustration were laid down and arranged. The titles were then drafted out and more watercolour was used for one of them. Orange coloured felt tip was used for the 'Milan' title, and then fine-liner for the rest of the title and the others. Everything was then stuck in place and orange strips of paper were added for decorating and to compliment the theme.

Catwalk Looks

My final illustration pieces were to illustrate a catwalk look from the Spring Summer 2023 collections from each fashion Capital; London, Paris, Milan and New York. The illustration style was two different illustrator's styles merged together.

This catwalk look was from the Carolina Herrera collection in New York. The two illustration styles were from Marina Sidneva and a style from The Styleaholic. I decided to do the face and the bottom half (towards the bottom) as The Styleaholic's style, and the rest as Marina Sidneva's style, as these parts highlight the style best. Watercolour was used for the whole illustration which was applied in patchy layers to represent the pattern on the garment. The watercolour was faded towards the bottom as it mimics The Styleaholic's illustration style. Fine-liner was added afterwards for the outline and details. The figure was first drawn out with pencil using the grid method and doubled up measurements.

After the illustration, I began the layout of the page, starting with the placement of the images and illustration. The titles were then drafted out, and watercolour was applied before the fine-liner. My illustration was placed the same side as the Designer's name and an image of the original garment. The theme for the presentation was yellow and blue which was to compliment and highlight the illustration's colour. I added little strips of yellow and blue card for decoration and secured everything in place with glue.

Catwalk Looks

My final illustration pieces were to illustrate a catwalk look from the Spring Summer 2023 collections from each fashion Capital; London, Paris, Milan and New York. The illustration style was two different illustrator's styles merged together.

This catwalk look was from Harris Reed in London. The two illustration styles were from Holly Sharpe and Eduardo Fossa. I decided to do the skirt part of the garment in the style of Holly Sharpe as skirts are the main part of her style. I also illustrated the face, legs (leg) and arm in Holly Sharpe's style, and then the other arm, torso, shoe and the extra decoration at the back of the garment (pleated circle of fabric/plume) in Eduardo Fossa's style.

Watercolour was used for the parts that were illustrated out of Holly Sharpe's style, and pro-markers and fine-liner were used for the Eduardo Fossa style parts. Little splatters made out of water colour were added over the illustration to mimic Holly Sharpe's style.

After completing the illustration, I began the layout of the page. The illustration was to go on one side with the name of the designer and the original picture of the garment, and the other side would have examples of the illustrators work and the Fashion Capital. The theme for this page would be greys and blacks as it compliments the illustration. On the side of my illustration, I created more splatters with a brush and watercolour (before placing down the illustration) for decoration and to highlight Holly Sharpe's style. I then drew a basic silhouette of the London Eye (to represent London) with patches of grey watercolour and fine-liner over the top. Examples of the illustrators' work was then arranged on the page and the fashion capital title was added. I added any finishing touches or rearranged anything before sticking it all down.

Met Gala piece - For this task, I was tasked to illustrate a Met Gala look.

I began by drawing a grid out of doubled up measurements from the reference image, and sketched my outline of the figure in pencil. Details were then gradually added, such as the 'circles' and details of the face. Coloured pencils were used for the skin, hair and face details, fine-liner was used to outline the figure and details (such as the 'circles'), and pencil was used for shading and shadows. The whole illustration was drawn on art paper.

Watercolour piece (6/6) - My last piece out of the six media pieces was to use watercolour as the medium. Doubled up measurements were used for the grid method and the figure was then drawn in pencil on art paper; starting with the outline first, then adding the details. After, I added the watercolour, starting with the lighter colours and areas first, before adding the darker colours, letting each layer dry before adding the next so the paper didn't bubble up. Details were added afterwards such as the shadows and highlights. I then used fine-liner for certain areas and details to enhance and outline the colour and figure.

Collage piece (5/6) - For this illustration, I used magazine pages to create a collage of a figure. I drew out the figure in pencil first, using the grid method and doubled up measurements. Drawing out the figure first would then give me an idea of the shape and size of the pieces of magazine for the collage. I used fine-liner to go over the pencil before sticking down the paper. I started sticking the pieces down in layers, cutting out the right shapes to fit the figure and style, then scrunching up and folding little pieces to give a 3D effect. I used tracing tracing paper to draw out the correct shape needed so I could then transfer it onto the magazine pages.

Pastels/Charcoal piece (4/6) - This illustration task was made using pastels and charcoaland created on thin brown card. The figure was drawn with pencil first using the grid method, with doubled up measurements from the reference image. After the finishing the outline, I began adding the pastels. I used charcoal for the black parts and blended yellow and pink pastels together for the skin tone. Applying the pastels was difficult as the paper wasn't smooth like regular card or paper, so I had to make sure I blended the pastels evenly. After I'd fished, hair spray was sprayed onto the illustration to stop the pastels and charcoal from smudging. I then began tearing around the edges of the illustration (around a centirmeter) instead of cutting it as it gave it a better look.

Pencil piece (3/6) - For this illustration, coloured pencils were used as the main medium as part of the six media pieces.

I began by drawing out a grid for the grid method with doubled up measurements from the reference image. Pencil was then used to draw the outline, starting with the head, and then any details later on such as the eyes. I then began adding the coloured pencils, applying them in layers and blending them together, as this would create the tone or shade needed. I used the lighter shades of pencil first and used darker shades after on for shadows. Green and brown tones were used for the trousers, and cream colour tones were used for the top and hair, where grey was also used. Blending the coloured pencils together was sometimes challenging as some areas of the figure needed more layers than others. Thin fine-liner was then used for the outline afterwards.

Pro Markers piece (2/6) - This illustration was the second piece to be completed as part of the six media pieces. Pro Markers were the medium used for this illustration.

I began by sketching out the outline with pencil, using the grid method and doubled up measurements from the reference image. Details were then added afterwards, such as the patterns and texture lines. I then started watching some pro markers before applying them, so I could make sure I had the correct colour and shade. For the skin, a lighter shade was added first before blending darker shades in the correct areas for shadow. I then applied other colours such as the grey, where I blended it out to show the texture. For some colours, I didn't have a pro marker that was the correct shade, so I layered and blended other colours together to have the right one. I had to be careful not let the marker ink bleed over the line, so I had to not apply it too close to the edge. Fine-liner was then use afterwards to enhance the colour and outline of the illustration.

Ink piece (1/6) - For this illustration, I used ink as the main medium. I began by sketching out the outline with pencil using the grid method, doubling up the measurements from the original image. After drawing out the outline, I added any details such as the eyes and nose, and then started to apply the ink. Black ink was used first, adding layers in certain areas for darker patches, letting each one dry inbetween before apply the next layer, otherwise the paper would bubble up. A thin layer of blue ink was then added to small areas of of the illustration like the original illustration. Little splatters over the drawing was added using a small brush and I then traced over the top of the figure with a fine-liner.

Stylised face - For this illustration task, I had to choose a headshot that we wanted to illustrate in a different style. This illustration style was create a drip look with watercolour and to move it about on the page which would create movement within the illustration (such as the hair).

I began by sketching a basic outline with pencil first to get the correct proportions. This time, instead of directly into my sketchbook, I created the piece on a separate piece of paper so I could move the page about and it would damage my book. I then began adding the water colour, firstly adding watered down shades as the base, applying them in drips to run down the page. Once the lighter base had dried, I began adding more coloures, starting from the top of the head to created strokes of hair as the water ran down the page, tipping the page in different directions to create movent. Once dried, I applied more watercolour and repeated until I had enough watercolour in the correct places. I added some berol pen to darker areas and shadows (such as the eyes, lips and underneath the chin) and added water to it with brush to bleed it out. I then added some littler splats across the face (similar to the original picture and the illustration style. I then applied some fine-liner to show the face shape, as they wasn't any watercolour in some areas.

Stylised face - For this illustration task, I had to choose a headshot that we wanted to illustrate in a different style. This illustration style was to draw lines at shapes on the face that would still show where shadows, darker tones and highlights were on the face, along with any other colour (such as the paint).

I sketched the basic outline in pencil first so I could then begin to draw out the shapes onto the face on the correct places (such as the cheek bones). The process took a while as it was difficult to draw the correct line in place, as well as the shape and length of it. I had to make sure that I didn't have too many shapes crowed together or not enough in one area. After I'd finished the outlines and shapes, I began adding pro marker to the piece, creating swatches before applying them to make sure I had the correct shade. I added the correct colours for the right places, such as the lightest tone to places where there was highlights, and reds to create the paint drip look on the face.

Pro Markers can bleed through the paper as well as spread further on the paper, so when applying them, I made sure I had something underneath to stop it bleeding through to anything else. I also had to make sure that I didnt place the pen to close to the outline that it spread to the otherside of it (which would ruin the shape of the illustration). Adding block colour to the illustration creates a different look to the original image as the colours aren't blended together like they would normally be, but there is still a sense of depth due to the darker tones in the correct places.

Once I'd finished applying all colour, I added fine-liner along the outline of the face and shapes to define them and the colour.

Stylised face - For this illustration task, I had to choose a headshot that we wanted to illustrate in a different style. This first illustration (one of three), I used an illustration style where the face is smaller or somewhat squished. The style also doesn't have the mouth present, and the eyes are shown as closed (just eyelashes), but I decided to include the eyes open and the lips as it would highlight them from the original headshot.

The outline was drawn first using the grid method (in pencil), which was challenging as the style was difficult to illustrate. After finishing the outline (including details such as the headscarf/headdress and necklace), I began applying watercolour, adding certain parts in layers to get the correct tone, but making sure each layer is dry before applying the next so the paper doesn't bubble up. Once all the watercolour was finished and had dried, I added fine-liner to finish the piece.