Can I become a fashion illustrator?

Yes! You Can become a fashion illustrator and Here’s What You Need!

I’m here to tell you, you can! Only know how to do stick figures? Have you seen what most fashion illustrations look like? :) I have made this 5 part mini class on How to Become a Fashion Illustrator, to explain the steps my peers and I have taken to make this a career.

Please note that all links are affiliate links.

This mini course, will touch on what you need to have a portfolio to showcase your work at the end of this course. You will learn what materials you need, what apps and tablets you can use, the difference between a fashion illustrator and fashion designer, the benefits of learning how to draw and what jobs can you get.

I started this career in 2005, and it is not only fulfilling. I draw both on analog mediums, paper, pencils and watercolors, etc and digitally, iPad, Wacom tablets and PC/Mac.

You can branch out to do the following jobs:

• Editorial Illustrator
• Fashion Illustrator for Events
• Book Illustrator (Here is mine and my client’s book)
• Stock Art Creator
• Pattern Designer
• Media Cover Designer
• Social Media Content Creator

And so much more. Not to mention all the benefits of learning how to draw offers and if you don’t believe me, here is a link to an article published on that subject. Here are some benefits:

• It can improve thinking skills.
• Encourages observation, problem solving, and analytical thinking. 
• It can be a tool for learning, better than ‘instant Google learning’ as it makes you look at the real world, not just a picture and its limited view point.
• It can enhance personal qualities such as patience and humility. 
• It can make us better citizens by training us to question assumptions and challenge evidence.
• Encourages inquiry, and exploration.

What is the difference between fashion illustration and a fashion designer? 

The difference is in the name! A fashion illustrator illustrates or draws fashion. This is done before the piece is actually sewn or after while it is being modeled. This skill calls for an artistic eye, basic knowledge of garment types, classic human form drawing, color theory and art techniques.

A fashion designer designs the garment. The design is then sent to a pattern maker and then to a sewist or seamstress to finalize the garment. Usually this requires CAD, pattern making and garment construction knowledge. Can you do both? I have both designed garments and drawn them. I have garment construction and pattern making knowledge. I just do not posses the patient to put a garment together.

What are the qualifications to become a fashion illustration? 

None, as you can learn as you go. There are degrees that you can go for and classes you can take in sites like Domestika and Skillshare. Drawing is a skill, and just like with any skill, the more you do it, the more proficient you will be! Having an interest in drawing, art, and fashion helps immensely. If you have studied art, draw regularly or are currently taking art classes, will give you a leg up.

What do I need to get started?

I have divided this fashion illustrator mini course in to 5 parts: 

1. The Materials-Starting out will be on a budget and student quality supplies is a great starting point, including digital tools.
2. The Figure-Here we start to draw the figure and learn proportions.
3. Draping, Texture and Painting– How does fabric fall on the figure, fabric textures.
4. Preserving Your Work– learning how to keep your work looking great and lasting long.
5. Bonus- Professional Supplies-Here you will find high end materials, books and apps for those of you who are creating a business from your art and want to look professional. 

Part 1: Materials

To begin your journey on how to become a fashion illustrator, it’s crucial to gather the right materials. Please note that all links are affiliate links. This helps me support my blog.  If you don’t like my recommendations, feel free to go to the last link on the list to take you to a search page. I have used the majority of the supplies I have mentioned here or owned them currently. When I could not find a better option, I looked for affordable ones. I do not expect you to get all of the art supplies. Just the ones that you feel comfortable using.

I also have tutorials and videos in my YouTube and Instagram.

Here’s a list of essential tools:

• Pencils: A range of graphite pencils (2H to 6B) for sketching and shading.
• Pens: Fine liners and brush pens for inking your illustrations.
• Color Pencils: A staple of classic fashion Illustration.
• Erasers: Kneaded erasers for precision and regular erasers for larger areas.
• Sharpeners: A good quality sharpener to keep your pencils in top condition.
• Markers: Fashion markers for vibrant colors and blending.
• Papers, Watercolors and Brushes: A basic watercolor set and a variety of brushes for painting.
• Apps for iPad and PC/Mac: Consider apps like Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop for digital illustration.
• Books on a Budget: Look for second-hand books or library resources to learn about fashion illustration without breaking the bank.

Sketching Pencils

Instead of giving you a list of specific pencils, it’s easier and more affordable to get a set. Some of the kits have pencil sharpeners and erasers and are a great deal.

• Generals Mini Drawing Kit – Set of 5 Includes 3 Drawing Pencils, Layout Pencil, and Eraser, Black https://amzn.to/3UFTSPO
• 18-Piece Professional Sketch Pencil Set – Includes 5H to 14B Pencils, Vinyl Eraser, Kneaded Eraser,Sharpener and Paper Blending Stump https://amzn.to/40DTEw6
• More kits https://amzn.to/3YZhLEs

Erasers

Erasers are actually important. You can damage a piece by using the wrong eraser. White erasers should always be used, as it will gently erase mistakes for you. Pink pearl is a standard eraser, and you should always have one as it can be used for may different media. Kneaded eraser is my favorite eraser, but it is for charcoal.

• White erasers– https://amzn.to/3CorVWg
• Pink Pearl-https://amzn.to/4hLXD02
• Kneaded eraser–https://amzn.to/4fs7GWj
• General’s Eraser set–https://amzn.to/3Cny6tE
• More erasers– https://amzn.to/4ertkIQ

Pens

• 12 Waterproof Ink Set-https://amzn.to/4fHjCDb I love this set as it has all the pens you could possibly want.
• More pens-https://amzn.to/4eqK9nu

Papers

• Canson Mixed Media XL–https://amzn.to/3ZdFWiJ-This one is my go to when I just want to draw and don’t want to choose just one medium.
• Canson Watercolor Paper XL–https://amzn.to/3Z1KxEh-I use this one often, and the paper quality is great.
• Canson Marker Paper XL–https://amzn.to/40Jib2P-This one is great for markers, pencils and calligraphy!
• Watercolor papers–https://amzn.to/3O5wJCE

Sharpeners

Again, pencil sharpeners are important. Not all of them are created equal. Some are for charcoal pencils, some for color pencils. Below are some basic options for the pencils you will use.

• General’s basic pencil sharpener https://amzn.to/4fbZidr
• General’s 3 in 1 pencil/color pencil sharpener https://amzn.to/4hK4arI
• More Art Pencil Sharperners–https://amzn.to/3YZzWcV

Markers

I love the look of markers. Though I do not own any of the sets below, these are great starter sets.

• 80 Alcohol Markers–https://amzn.to/3UOD20X
• Skin tone markers – https://amzn.to/4frOJTS
• More Markers – https://amzn.to/3O3QJW4

Watercolor Palettes

I actually do have some of the sets below, and I love Jack’s. It is a bit basic, but a great starter set. The more you paint fashion illustration, the more variety you will need to render your pieces.

• Jack Richeson Student Quality – https://amzn.to/48OzMbY
• ArtVista 100 watercolor Palette – https://amzn.to/4epnqYM
• 128 Colors and brushes – https://amzn.to/3Cm5K3b
• More watercolor Palettes – https://amzn.to/4hLkhW0

Brushes

Brushes are tricky! Watercolor paint requires a lot of water. Kolinsky sables are perfect for watercolors. They hold lots water. and are great for glazing and mopping techniques. However, they are pricey! Taklon fibers and Waterbrushes are great, affordable options.

• Waterbrushes – https://amzn.to/3O3E9q0
• Taklon Brush Set – https://amzn.to/4fGuEsx
• Kolinsky Sable Brush Set – https://amzn.to/3Z0J0hJ
• More brushes – https://amzn.to/40GCYUM

Color Pencils

There are MANY options here. The rule is-The more you paint fashion illustration, the more variety you will need to render your pieces. So having a big set is great for the profession.

• 50 Color pencil set – https://amzn.to/4fm6Ydg
• 72 Color pencil Set – https://amzn.to/3O3L7LG
• Colorless Pencil Blender – https://amzn.to/3Z2aHXN
• Complete Color Pencil and Sketching Pencil Set – https://amzn.to/3ArLUCZ
• More color pencil sets – https://amzn.to/3Z2aHXN

Books on how to become a fashion illustrator

There are so many books. What matters here is that you are taught how draw the human form, garments and textures. Below are books that are essential beginner’s books and the ones with a double asterisk (**) are the ones I would buy to start out.

• **Heads, Features and Faces https://amzn.to/3AChe1Q
• The Book of a Hundred Hands https://amzn.to/4enMuzv
• Constructive Anatomy: Includes Nearly 500 Illustrations https://amzn.to/40GLGCy
• **Fashion Design Drawing Course: Principles, Practice, and Techniques: The New Guide for Aspiring Fashion Artists –https://amzn.to/3UJ1zoe
• **Essential Fashion Sketchbook https://amzn.to/40M5Ye2
• **Essentials Fashion Sketchbook (366 Figure Templates to create your own designs!) Fashion Sketchpad https://amzn.to/4foMhNO
• **Fashion Design Sketchbook: Flat Figure Template For Drawing Clothes and Building a Portfolio https://amzn.to/4fgMeUb

Apps for Tablets, iPad and Mac/PC that Help You Become a Fashion Illustrator

iPhone Apps

• Ibis Paint X – https://ibispaint.com/product.jsp-This one does AI poisoning.
• Krita – https://krita.org/en/– This one has a community where you can share your art.
• Procreate Pocket – https://procreate.com/pocket– I have this one and I do enjoy it, but its hard to draw on a iphone.
• Sketchbook – https://www.sketchbook.com/

iPad/Mac Apps

I have all of them and I highly recommend them.

• Sketchbook – https://www.sketchbook.com/
• Procreate – https://procreate.com/
• Ibis Paint X – https://ibispaint.com/product.jsp-This one does AI poisoning.

Tablet Apps

• Ibis Paint X – https://ibispaint.com/product.jsp-This one does AI poisoning.
• Krita – https://krita.org/en/– This one has a community where you can share your art.
• Sketchbook – https://www.sketchbook.com/
• Tayasui Sketches – https://www.tayasui.com/Sketches/android.html

PC Apps

• Ibis Paint X – https://ibispaint.com/product.jsp-This one does AI poisoning.
• Krita – https://krita.org/en/– This one has a community where you can share your art.
• Gimp – https://www.gimp.org/-I have this one and its great!
• Sketchbook – https://www.sketchbook.com/
• Inkscape – https://inkscape.org/

Drawing Tablets

I have owned Huion and Wacom tablets and I recommend them both.

• Huion-https://amzn.to/4hNaRcy
• Picasso Tab X-https://amzn.to/3CyQXC0
• UGEE Tablet-https://amzn.to/4eA1nio
• One by Wacom-https://amzn.to/48O2ycC
• More tablets-https://amzn.to/40Je9HJ

Next week, We will talk about drawing the figure! And remember that right now you are learning and mistakes are a part of learning. Whether you prefer digital or paper and pencil, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you try.

I am so glad you are taking this journey with me and I am so happy to be your guide.

XO,

Elaine

P.S. Here is a PDF from FITNY that will get you excited about learning how to become a fashion illustrator. See you next week!