Hats Off

Along with some sketching buddies, I went along to a Would You Rock This meet up group last Saturday in the heart of NYC's fashion district. It was a fun afternoon sketching the model with particular emphasis on drawing hats. It's not my favorite item of clothing to draw so I was looking forward to the challenge. The sketch below reminded me of the fashion illustrations from the 40s and 50s!

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Addicted to Fashion Sketching!

The Society of Illustrators is closed for two weeks while it renovates and the staff has some respite from  the group of crazy sketchers who frequent the townhouse on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings. I will have to settle for regular life drawing at other venues around town. Meanwhile here are a few sketches from last week. The models were creative and great fun and one even brought her little pooch. I wasn't sure it would sit still, but it did a pretty good job!

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Ascot Hat

The 7 minute sketch below was originally yellow and green but again I changed the colors using the pink to make it a bit more dramatic. She could be on the stage or going to the horse races at Ascot. I'm showing my British roots now!

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Flower Girl

I had so much fun last night at the Society of Illustrators. Models with gigantic flowers, flamboyant clothes, outsized false eyelashes and a big butterfly hairpiece posed for 3, 5 and 7 minutes. I particularly like this little 3 minute sketch. The original is a 3 inch watercolor and pen drawing in blue and black. I decided to change the colors digitally and settle for colors that I don't usually go for. I really like the result. It reminds me of something you might see on a perfume box!

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Bag Girl

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Laughing Beauty

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Bloglovin'

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Oh Boy....

I can't seem to stay away from men! Fashion Illustration lends itself so well to the curves and beauty of the female form but I just love drawing men. I guess it's the angles and hard edges that I enjoy. Inspired by the Italian fashion house Etro, I have kept the hard edges but softened the look with some curvy ink lines in this sketch.

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Using Continuous Line

I enjoy using continuous line as I am sketching. By rarely taking my pen or pencil off the paper, I am forced to weigh up angles and shape and it's fun to create shapes and pattern with the line. In this sketch I particularly liked the combination of line and watercolor on the model's headscarf. The clothed model posed for quick sketches at the Society of Illustrators here in New York.

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