Describe the idea in one sentence
Choose a focused project, such as a loose shirt with a particular collar. Name the silhouette, fabric impression and one important detail. A small brief keeps the page coherent.
Test a small set of tools
Try your pencil, line tool and colouring materials on the paper you will use. Check whether layers bleed, smudge or cover earlier marks before beginning the main drawing.
Build a balanced figure
Establish the pose and the relationship between shoulders, waist and hips. Keep the figure clear enough to support the garment. The purpose is to communicate the design rather than fill the page with anatomical detail.
Draw clothing around the body
Think about where fabric touches, hangs and folds away from the body. Place seams and openings consistently with the pose. Avoid treating the garment as a flat pattern pasted over the figure.
Illustration and fashion flats
A fashion illustration conveys the garment on a figure. A flat drawing describes its structure and details more directly. Both can appear on the same design page when their roles are clear.
Use marks that explain the fabric
Choose a few visual cues for shine, softness, weight or pattern. Keep repeated patterns related to the garment's form. Too many equally strong marks can hide the silhouette.
First project: a shirt design page
Combine a small brief, a figure illustration, a simple flat and material notes. Leave enough space to distinguish the elements. Review whether another person can understand the main design choices.
Review common problems
Check balance, garment construction and the direction of folds before adding decoration. If a page is crowded, remove repeated information. Keep the most important visual message easy to find.
References and further reading
The academy's practice suggestions are its own. A reference does not imply endorsement of the academy or its courses.
