Haute Couture - Line

I chose four images from various books about haute couture fashion designers. I experimented with media and used tools in a variety of ways to try and push my drawing skills.

Felt tip pen

 Varying the weight of line was difficult with this medium but I tried to be softer with my application on the hair and the creases of her skirt. The compact lines on the ruffles provided some light/dark contrast against the plain skirt. 

Pencil crayon and ink applied with thin brush

I am pleased with how the face has turned out here, especially the eyes, because I have struggled to get the facial features right in my previous drawings. This is the final drawing I did from this image so I was familiar with the proportions and shapes. I tried to break the image down into shapes in my previous drawings and I found this really useful for drawing the area around the head and shoulders. This is a process I might use in future to understand how each piece works and fits together before I start drawing something in more detail. The hands definitely need some work - this is something I struggle with in general and feel I need more practice with.

Using the side of a graphite stick

This tool had produced a really interesting quality of line which I think is really effective in showing the movement of the fabric skirt. I drew the shoe using the granite stick normally and feel it shows the difference between the still part of the body and the part that is moving. I think I could improve this image by applying this idea to the rest of the body so the head and arms were drawn the same way as the foot. 

Grey felt tip pen and black gel pen

This was a drawing I though was unsuccessful because I think it lacks life and the combination of the two media doesn't make sense. I went for a quick, relaxed approach for this drawing but I feel it looks messy and unconsidered. 

Ink and brush

I like the line showing the edge of the skirt because the brush has split slightly and given a sense of movement to the line, similar to my graphite stick drawing above. 

Practice drawing legs - mechanical pencil

I was struggling to get the legs and feet right on this drawing so I spent some time just drawing this part of the image. I feel this was my most successful attempt and I am particularly pleased with capturing the toes from this awkward angle. 

Large, soft brush

I really like the texture this large brush with ink produced. I didn't put too much ink on the brush because I didn't want a solid line. The marks made on the paper are soft and flowing, similar to the material the dress was made from.