DRAWING INSPIRATION / 03

I've been trying to make better use of my drawing tablet lately, so this is the result of a little bit of doodling and experimenting with different brushes in Illustrator.

Photo via Harper's Bazaar

DOODLE / 06

Here's another quick sketch done in ink. I love the way the faint pencil lines peak through to add a bit of depth beneath the black lines. I experimented with bigger, exaggerated eyes - and I feel like it creates a very kind of sad, 1920s-esque expression.

Also, I should mention that the fact that I started playing around with ink as a medium in late October, is actually a pretty funny coincidence.. considering that #inktober is actually a month long thing people do to improve their inking skills. I realised this a little too late in the month, but that's definitely something to look forward to next year. 

09/ INKLING FOR COATS

When I start reading about snow, I suppose it's officially winter. While I'm definitely not jealous of that winter weather,  the lack of cold weather where I live doesn't mean I'm not drooling over the amazing coats available right now - especially when they're simplistic, long and camel coloured!

I decided to experiment a bit with this drawing after watching a few youtube videos about ink and how it's used in more traditional illustration.

I had never used ink and gouache together in a fashion illustration before, as the ink I had was primarily used for silk screening. After looking at the videos, I was excited about the permanency of the ink - the idea of being able to ink a drawing, erase all the pencil marks and then paint over without the black lines spreading was fascinating. 

Personally, I love the results. It's going to take a while for me to adjust to and perfect outlining with a brush, versus a marker, but I'm definitely excited to experiment more with ink!

DOODLE/ 05

A super quick sketch trying to capture the exaggerated silhouette - done with pen and marker.

DRAWING INSPIRATION/ 02

DRAWING INSPIRATION from ///////

Sass & Bide Spring/Summer 2015 

Here's a quick sketch and painting of a design from the ever captivating Sass & Bide, which caught my attention with it's clearly Japanese inspired look.

Japanese inspiration was popping up all throughout New York Fashion Week, where a lot of obi belts, structured layers and angular lines were seen - just the kinds of things I love!

More of my thoughts on NYFW coming soon.

DOODLE/ 04

Throwback to throwback (on a Thursday) - sketches I did a while back when I was sorting out some of my old mood boards. 

06/ BACK TO... LIFE?

I've delayed this post for well over a week, just because I had no idea what to write with this illustration. Then I got distracted by New York Fashion Week, and finding a suitable outfit for an upcoming event that's kind of a big deal (more on these topics later).

Anyway, I drew this croqui a while ago, just because I loved how my short overalls looked paired with a sheer white shirt. Overalls are back in fashion, along with the whole backpack trend - which I could probably write a (positive) book about. So, it seems like fashion trends are made for 'back to school' this year. Too bad I'm not headed back to school, funny how that 'too bad' only shows up after you've left the safe, creative environment of school.

I've also just realized that this is the first illustration drawn fully based on actual items of clothing in own. So, I guess this is a "how to wear" overalls according to polycotton-blnd / outfit of the day post... how trendy of me.

DOODLE/ 03

Just some quick sketches I did while browsing through past collections (that I had missed) before the beginning of NYFW this month. Now to catch up on all the fashion week happenings currently happening.

Victor & Rolf Fall 2014 Couture

The silhouettes and draping in this collection were amazing, and I loved the volume of this oversized bow. 

Rag & Bone Spring 2015 (Menswear Collection) 

 I love the simplicity of this photo - the clothes, styling, pose and black & white.

05/ FESTIVAL SEASON

I can't be the only one who fantasises about what they would wear to a festival, right? 

Well, If you lived on a tiny island in the middle of nowhere as well, then I'm sure this thought wouldn't seem as crazy. 

Every time spring rolls around and as the amazing line-ups for festivals all over the world start popping up, I avidly read them all... then cry a little (to myself) as I think about all the bands I love performing in one big muddy, place. Festivals seem like a distant dream, mostly distant - because they don't exist where I am. 

But well, thank goodness for technology - live streams and youtube. If we're counting those, then I've been to Coachella and Glastonbury for the past 4+ years, haha. 

Hopefully, one day soon, I'll be there in real life, but for now... a girl can dream (in wellies)!

DRAWING INSPIRATION/ 01

I had to draw Giambattista Valli's Fall 2014 Couture collection when I first saw it.

I loved the drape of this dress, the silhouette and the graphic quality of the black and white stripes.

Somehow in all my excitement though, I had forgotten the pain of actually rendering stripes - well stripes to this extent at least (It took me straight back to Design Illustration 1)... and let's not even talk about my decision to use a pen.

I do love how this illustration turned out though, the stark black and white plays up the almost optical illusion of the stripes.

To see the actual look, check out my previous post about my love for this collection and don't forget to check out the tumblr for more!

DOODLE/ 02

Sketches of some faces  - who would've thought I used to hate drawing faces?

04/ LET'S GO SURFING

If there's one trend that I love right now, it's surf inspired swimwear.

Rash guards with bikini bottoms, chunky plastic zippers and neoprene everything - the trend is so refreshing, especially when you live on an island surrounded by teeny weeny string bikinis.

I've wanted to design my own 'surf inspired' croquis for a while now. I finally took the plunge (pun intended hah) after listening to Bondax's Baby I Got That, pretty much on repeat. The music video is full of classy high waisted bikini clad girls (which is a bit of an oxymoron there).

But well, here are my own lilac haired, bikini girls ready to go surfing... and just in time for Shark Week, too.

ps. check POLY-COTTONBLND's Tumblr for a special shark week edit ;) 

03/ PINEAPPLE HEAD

For some reason pineapples are a huge trend these days. Anyone else notice this? I'm not sure how or why this trend started, all I know is that pineapples have been popping up everywhere lately.

I remember a while back looking at Young & Sick's Instagram where he had these weekly #pineapplesaturday drawings of pineapples, which I thought it were quirky and random, much like the rest of his work. Then I had a good laugh as I saw pineapples scattered around his Coachella stage. So, I wasn't really surprised when I read an interview that said he just likes pineapples. 

I was surprised though, at how quickly an abundance of pineapples started popping up after that - in every magazine and on every website. I couldn't go far without seeing a pineapple.. clothing, jewellery, sculptures, photos, in album artwork.. I almost lost it when I got a pineapple candy instead of a mint at a restaurant.

People are just crazy about pineapples. Personally, if we're talking taste, I'm not much of a fan. However, I couldn't resist drawing a quirky pineapple inspired croqui... the pineapple influence is clearly a strong one.

DOODLE/ 01

BEARDS - There really is a strong showing of facial hair on men these days.. and who doesn't appreciate a good beard? Well if it's on a croqui (aka fashion illustration) my lecturer at university didn't. We weren't allowed to give our drawings facial hair, because frankly that could quickly end in a disaster. But I was curious, so this is really my first attempt, after browsing through street style photos of many handsome bearded men. Here's hoping it's not a disaster!

02/ LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS

As June comes to a close, it seems it's all about the boys these days.

We're currently smack dab in the middle of the World Cup in Brazil and Spring Summer 2015 Menswear collections are showing as we speak. From football players to models, all eyes are on the men of the world - and what they're wearing, of course. 

I always found menswear strangely fascinating. Not only because of the handsome men in the clothing (I'm a girl... it's kind of hard not to notice the male models), but because of the details. 

Whether I'm looking at a football team's kit or a designer's runway show, I'm noticing the details. The new silhouettes, colours and  fabrics make for interesting modern menswear, which is far from the basic 'shirt, pants, jacket, shoes' situation of years past.