Whether you’re an aspiring fashion designer or are simply looking to learn new sketching skills, this fashion figure illustration is a fun way to practice. Grab a pencil, paper, and watercolors, and follow this step-by-step guide to creating an elegant fashion figure.
Step #1: Draw 10 Evenly Spaced Rows
On a piece of paper, using a ruler or other object with a straight edge, draw in pencil ten evenly spaced rows. You don’t need to number them.
The rows represent the proportions of the figure you’re going to draw: 1/10. Some parts of the body should fit into one of these sections, while others will spread over several.
Step #2: Sketch Head and Neck
Start by sketching, in pencil, the head in the top row, and the neck in the next. Both the head and neck should be sized to vertically fill the row.
Step #3: Sketch Torso
This is a stylized fashion figure rather than a figurative portrait, so the proportions aren’t supposed to be anatomically correct. Sketch the torso into the third row, keeping it within these lines.
Step #4: Sketch Legs and Arms
The arms should take a 3/10 proportion and the legs 6/10.
When sketching these, don’t worry too much about the details. Depending on the clothing you’ll be drawing onto your fashion figure, you’ll likely be erasing details from your arms and legs anyway. It’s more important to get the general proportions and shapes right.
Step #5: Sketch Face
Once you’ve sketched the outline of the whole figure, add details and features to the face. As this is a fashion sketch, it’s fine to exaggerate certain features, like the eyes or lips.
Step #6: Sketch Dress
Now it’s time to sketch in the dress! You can add your own embellishments here, like bows, bustles, or varying necklines.
Step #7: Outline in a Dark Color
Using watercolor paints, outline the figure in a darker color, such as dark brown. This outlining is for the areas of exposed flesh rather than the clothing, which will be painted in later.
Step #8: Paint Skin
For a striking effect, paint the skin in a tone that contrasts with the outlining.
Step #9: Paint Dress
Again using watercolor paints, add the main block color of your fashion figure’s dress. Bold colors make a statement, or you can go for a more subtle look with muted colors.
Step #10: Add Final Accents
Add details to your figure and clothing with contrasting colors to create the impression of texture, movement, and shine.
And finally, if you’ve had fun with this fashion figure, play around with the designs and colors of the dresses and clothing that your model wears in further sketches!
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