Once you’ve mastered the art of developing form and pose, it’s time to navigate illustrating the varying shapes and cuts that come with different outfits. Fashion illustrator Scott Mason has curated step-by-step video tutorials to guide you when designing different dresswear, from dresses to denim jeans and formal menswear.
How to draw different types of dresses
When drawing different dress designs, it’s all about playing with shape, light and form. With this guide, you’ll master how to draw three types of dresses: the Little Black Dress, a simple slip dress and a bold ruffled number.
Once you have your form in place, use a 2B Graphite Pencil to sketch out each dress's shape. For a form-fitting dress, sketch the bodice close to the figure, and add details such as a thigh-high slit to one side. Create ruffles for another dress by connecting a series of zigzags in a downward motion.
Use a 0.1mm nib Fineliner to ink the sketches, applying more pressure when you need to draw thicker lines. Use Promarker with the broad chisel nib to fill in the dress – a useful hack is to leave subtle gaps for white space where creases and folds would appear to convey light reflecting off the fabric.
Opt for a darker shade to fill in shadows like those beneath the ruffles. Use Black Promarker to fill in the Little Black Dress, leaving a single line of white to act as a highlight. And there you have it – three unique styles of dresses complete.
How to draw jeans
Layer a combination of materials to achieve the look and feel of denim jeans – an iconic wardrobe staple recognised for its durable, sturdy structure.
Begin with sketching the basic outline of the garment with a Graphite Pencil, making sure to add structure to the shape so that you can illustrate the stiff quality of denim. Follow up with a 0.1mm nib Fineliner to add detail over the top of the jeans. Then use Watercolour Pencil in a shade of blue that’s relevant to the fabric you’re replicating (Scott uses True Blue) and roughly add colour and texture to the jeans.
Next, apply a blue Promarker over the top of the watercolour in (Scott uses Cadet Blue) with the broad chisel end – this will bleed the watercolour Pencil slightly. Use a blue Studio Collection Pencil (Scott uses Royal Blue) on top to add further texture to the fabric. Then add White Pencil for the final layer. Finish up by reinking the details with a 0.8mm nib Fineliner.
How to illustrate menswear
Though menswear is often overshadowed by womenswear in the fashion industry, it has its own unique considerations. To master the forms and lines associated with formal menswear, start by using Graphite Pencil to sketch out the model. Allow seven heads for the figure – three for the torso and four for the legs.
Add in details to the fabric such as a lapel on a jacket and trouser folds if drawing a suit. Then fill in the facial features – for a traditional look ensure that the features are angular.
Ink over the sketch using a 0.1mm nib Fineliner, and then colour the face, hair and outfit. Use Black Promarker for a classic suit – the chisel nib is perfect to coat larger areas such as this; angle the nib to outline the area and then colour with the flat tip. The Promarker Brush tip is perfect for implementing precise touch-ups next. Finally, use Studio Collection Pencils to add texture to the fabric.
