Essential Materials for creating Fashion Illustrations

Discover the surprising range of materials used by fashion illustrator Connie Lim

Pencil and paper are the natural foundations for great sketches that result in unforgettable fashion collections. But the difference between a good sketch and a design that allows you to feel the fabric lies in the details.

Designer and illustrator Connie Lim uses surprising materials to perfectly convey her ideas and achieve striking illustrations.

Find out how in this video.

Connie uses different types of paper depending on the result she’s looking to achieve. Acetate provides more shine and volume, while waxed or tracing paper allows her to explore sheer transparencies. Rice paper prints textures that resemble some fabrics.

And there’s more... Connie often uses foam boards to create layers and a cutting matt to protect the table from her knife, scissors or other essential materials.

The great variety of colored pencils and pens she uses is easy to explain: every stroke and color needs to be faithfully reproduced. Her essential 2B pencils form the basis of her sketches. “2B is right in the middle of the spectrum between hard and soft. It’s versatile, and perfect,” she notes.

After profiling her sketch it’s time to add color with gouache paint. Connie loves its solid matte finish. She uses Indian ink to create sophisticated, attention-grabbing black details. And when the concept involves transparency, she goes for watercolor. Three brushes are enough for what she calls “wet work“. The finest brush she uses is a 0.0, then she uses a medium and finally a wide brush for more expressive strokes.

You can’t leave tape off the basic materials list. You can use smooth tape or tape in a range of finishes, as these not only help you stick things onto your design, they can also be used to create a range of textures.

Love this video? Learn how to combine traditional drawing with collage to create dynamic poses, silhouettes and clothing illustrations in Connie Lim’s online course: Creative Fashion Illustration Techniques. https://www.domestika.org/en/courses/1296-creative-fashion-illustration-techniques

English version by @studiogaunt

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