Sketchboooooks

Self explanatory.

Raf Simons Runway Study

This is a look from Raf Simons spring and summer 2010 menswear collection, modeled by none other than Arthur Daniyarov. I love how Raf plays with masculinity and it's identifiers with this look: a men's work suit with highly exaggerated shoulders, pushed up sleeves with what appears to be a striped button up rolled up and over the jacket cuff, and placed beneath a sweater vest -- all neatly tucked into the classic straight leg trouser and leather dress shoes.

"I have access to masculine power and privilege."

It's what you're really saying when you wear a suit, whether you know it or not. Raf just included a dash of football player to make it more obvious.

How does it look in color? Your thoughts?

Julia Nobis Portrait

This is a portrait of the rising star model, Julia Nobis. Julia has walked quite recently for the likes of Calvin Klein, Chloé, Prada and other heavy hitters within the fashion industry. I think she's absolutely gorgeous, almost a vision of Botticelli's Venus, no?

Sneak Peak!!!

Oh my goodness!

I'm starting a SERIES. I'm doing model portraits! And not just any portrait of just any model. I'm doing portraits of models dubbed "rising stars"!!! So like, the beautiful new kids who get a lot of work for being sublime. My first portrait was of Arthur Daniyarov, and my next portrait is of Julia Nobis! She's BEAUTIFUL. Like, I'm almost positive that she's my muse.

This is just the beginning!

Robyn Illustration

This is an illustration of Robyn, the esteemed Swedish pop star who's stealing the hearts of electronic-dance-hip-hop-pop-funstuff loving people worldwide. She's adorable, and is bringing a certain "light" to the seemingly brooding, Ladygagaful mainstream pop soundscape. Full of hope, Robyn's music is heart-warming, sexy, and fun to dance to. Also, she has an attitude and swagger that's hard not to be seduced by.

This piece was kind of difficult, and isn't a good representation of the work I want to be making. It's a little too plastic-covered for my current tastes, but was definitely a good experiment.

Website Update

RUNWAY

I've collected the daily fashion illustrations that I've been doing into one section on my website (click RUNWAY). I think that those daily's taught me something really great -- working on a creative project every single day, and devoting time and effort into accomplishing creative tasks keeps your head in the game.

Sadly, I've succumb to the Busy Bee, and have been getting caught up in other creative projects/my own life. But I'm still working -- every day -- on new work, new images, planning, sketching, etc. I draw on the trains (I should do a sketchbook update, no?) and I draw at home. I'm always drawing now, quite refreshingly.

AND! I'm starting a few fancy illustrations that I'm excited to share with y'all.

More updates soon.

P.S. I know those daily fashion illustrations were fun, but I also got a tad bored -- studying runway photos is really fun, but my imagination started yelling at me.

Daily Number Seven

I'm back a tad early! I think I'm going to try and update regularly starting on Monday. But for today, I'm posting something that was started this past week and only finished today.

This look is from Givenchy's spring 2009 haute couture collection. In reality, this satin sheath dress with partial wrap and cape is the loveliest shade of pastel turquoise.

Daily Fashion Illustrations on Pause

Yeah, so obviously I'm bad at this daily illustration thing. They will be back up and running on Monday. Pinky swear.

Daily Number Six: Process

This is a portrait of Arthur Daniyarov, a rising star in the male modeling world.. He has been favored recently by the likes of Raf Simons for Raf Simons and Jil Sander, Dries Van Noten, and many other menswear designers of note. He's quite gorgeous, and I think he makes the perfect beauty study. This piece was fun, even if it took a while to get to you. In the past few days I've been busy with other illustrations and career-oriented tasks and busy work. Not to mention that I've been fitting a healthy amount of social life in there too!

I've never really quite posted evidence of my process, and because this was a study, there wasn't too much preliminary work to be shown. I hope it's informative!


This was the preliminary sketch for the finished ink painting. I drew directly on 140 lb cold press watercolor paper, neatly sealed to the table with watercolor tape. I usually treat the hair with inks swiftly and less deliberately than the portrait, so the features are pretty finite and ready for deeper tones, whereas the hair is more or less contour and some directional lines.


This is the under-painting. From the preliminary, I added some darker tone and a fullness to the form with washes of varying shades. The water-thinned ink adds a rich, suppleness that the graphite can't compensate for, which is one of the reasons I may be moving away from graphite.


For the final, I added the darkest tones with pure sumi ink, without added water. I usually keep a few round brushes loaded with water on hand, so I can easily incorporate such deep tones. It can be terrifying, making such a finite decision, but that deep black adds a contrast that you just can't get with any other medium. And it reproduces SO well.

For very fine detail work, I finish with very minute pen work on top, as well as white designer's gouache to clean up and bring out the lightest highlights. I like this gouache because it scan's REALLY well, especially when you make sure to soften the edges of your stroke with water.

Daily Number Five

I'm a day behind in general now. That's one red slip. One demerit. 10 points from Gryffindor. I am ashamed. However, I will make it up by providing a double dose one day. One day.

This is a look from Givenchy's Spring 2009 collection. BLAST FROM THE PAST. Going way back now, to the days of satin jumpsuit's with tapered legs. And a golden bow. Doesn't Mariacarla Boscono just rock this? She's fantastic, I'm really in love with her. And if you don't already know about my love for Givenchy's creative director, Riccardo Tisci -- well, don't get me started.