How to Draw Fashion Illustration: Fashion Figure 101
How to Draw Fashion Illustration: Fashion Figure 101
Today, I’m excited to bring you some easy step-by-step instructions to creating a fashion figure. As soon as you know the basics, creating a fashion illustration will be so much easier. Hope you’ll find it fun and helpful! And if you love fashion illustration as much as I do, check out my Fashion Illustration class on Skillshare where I share all the basics about drawing a figure, finding great poses and painting illustration with watercolor.
There is no THE RIGHT WAY nor THE ONLY WAY to draw a fashion figure. Every artist has his/her own particular style so don’t be intimidated by the variety of tutorials and different techniques. All you need is to learn the basics and choose the technique that works for you.
It’s important to first understand the human body, how it moves, and how it is shaped so you can create realistic looking sketches.
There is a big difference between real human body proportions and fashion illustration proportions. If you measure a figure in heads, an average female figure will be 8 heads tall (example below). In fashion illustration we change the proportions to make the figure look taller and it can become 8-10 heads. Every illustrator adds their own style. Some artists exaggerate proportions to make their sketches stand up and be recognizable. 
Here is a simple formula that I use to draw a fashion illustration
Tools:
Paper, Pencil, Sharpener, Eraser, Colored pencils or markers
Step 1
Draw 9 inch vertical line -so it’s easy to divide it into 9 parts – it will be the balance line
Step 2:
Divide the line into 9 equal parts (each part will be the size of the head)
At the beginning you can use a ruler but after some practice you will feel pretty confident and will draw without it
Step 3
At the top (part1) draw a head (egg/oval shape)
Step 4
Now lets find the lines for the neck, bust, waist, hips, crotch, knees and ankles.
1 1/3 heads -the neck and shoulder line
2 1/4 heads -bust line
3 heads – waist and elbow line
4 heads- hips line
4 1/4 -crotch line
6 heads-knees
8 heads -ankles
Step 5
Shoulders will be about 1 1/2 -2 heads wide
The waist is 1 head wide
Hips -1 1/4 heads wide
Draw the figure, don’t pay attention to rough lines, when the proportions are correct, make the lines smooth.
Step 6
Draw the legs and leave the last part for the feet.
The thighs (from hips to knee) and the calves (from knee to ankle) are the same length
Step 7
Draw the arms-elbows are at the waist line (3 heads)
Hand starts at the crotch area and ends a little above the mark 5
Hope this tutorial was helpful, please let me know if you have any questions and what would you like to learn in my next post and check out my Fashion Illustration class on Skillshare
Love
Elena