I'm a big fan of colour.
Just in case you couldn't tell.
Just in case you couldn't tell.
This is a sketch I did a while ago and had completely forgotten. It was inspired from a Matthew Williamson Design Blair Waldorf was wearing in an episode of Gossip Girl.
This is an art project I did last June. I was actually working on another, completely different theme. However I had to scrap it and started from scratch as I didn't like my first drought at all. The trick, most often, is to just go with your gut, even if yo might think it's too difficult for you to carry out successfully. If you want to paint it, paint it. Giving things a try is usually the secret to successfully creating something you're proud of.
For this work, the only object I started with was a plastic flower. I elaborated into cherry blossoms because they remind me of the this tree we had at school in Secondary. By spring, it would have transformed into a pink haze. Amazing.
This is why I love art, it comes on its own, from pictures, scenes and feelings you experience. Even things you might not be actively conscious of.
Overall, this picture has two main themes; the beauty creative expression. Fashion is an element in this picture, I can't really help it. It's very interlinked with art in my point of view so it pops up practically everywhere. And then there's music... I really think human beings cannot live without it, in all its different forms. It gives us something more in our everyday lives :).
Tina x
Whilst working on my Systems of Knowledge project, I had the wonderful opportunity to talk to and interview Jennifer Lilya. This artist and Fashion Illustrator has some amazing works, and I was really happy and actually a little bit surprised that she promptly replied back with much enthusiasm. I found that most people within the fashion Industry who go beyond a certain level of success do not reply back. Not Jennifer Lilya :). You can Find her website here, and you can also visit her Facebook Fanpage.
Would you say you had a particular style of your own? How would you describe it?
I love “Red Sofa” by Rene Gruau. I love how she’s so sleek & laid back, and the red is just swallowing her up.
What advice would you give to anyone interested in Fashion Illustration as a job or even just as a hobby?
Read the Interview Questions, below:
How did you become a Fashion Illustrator?
One of my earliest memories is of ‘drawing pretty pictures’ when I was a kid. I was always drawing pictures of people…then I discovered fashion & music as a teen, and my path was pretty much set. I took art classes in school, poured over back issues of fashion magazines in the local library & knew that I wanted to marry my love of drawing & fashion and decided to enroll in FIT for fashion illustration.
What does your work consist of exactly?
Most of my pieces consist of runway trends. I also do editorial scenes, accessories & lettering for various clients. I prefer to work on 14” x 17” , 90lb Stonehenge paper. I work strictly in acrylic & black ink.
What kind of commissions you get and by whom? What would they be looking for usually and for what purpose is the job commissioned?
I get commissions from magazines, websites, art directors, fashion designers & people looking for something lovely to hang on their walls. I tend to get hired for my illustrations because they are unique & fun- I’ve stayed true to myself working by hand, while many people have turned to computer art. My girls are pretty, fashionable & nice, combined with a bit of wit & cheekiness. They’re used for all sorts of advertising purposes & editorials.
What are you working on right now?
I usually like to work on a few projects at once. Right now I’m working with a young designer in LA, doing a few illustrations of pieces in her new collection to be used for advertising. I’m also working with some style blogs and revamping my website to sell original art & prints of my work. In between all of that, I like to keep my portfolio fresh, so I’ll do current runway sketches of designs that I love.
Do you use any specific techniques in your work?
I like to work acrylic like one would watercolor- really watery & layered. It creates a lot of movement & life that I prefer in my illustrations. I then go in with black ink to create line & shapes that bring the illustration together. I also like giving my girls a story line, so I’ll add some fun saying or song lyric in black ink to round out their personalities.
Yes, definitlely. My girls are beautiful & fashionable, but most importantly they are fun & have personalities of their own. I think that sets me apart from some other artists. My tag line is ‘Fun, Fabulous Fashion Illustrations’- I think that sums it up. Fashion is hard work, but I think it should feel light-hearted & effortless.
In your work and illustrations, from what are you influenced and inspired most?
I looooove the runway shows- the new looks, the models, the attitude, the freshness of it all. That’s my main inspiration, but I also find inspiration in everyday things- taking a walk around NYC- the textures in the urban landscape, the energy of the people, the music I’m listening to on my ipod. I’m a happy-go-lucky person & I think that shines in my illustrations.
Name a favourite Fashion Illustrator and/or Artist whose works you admire most. Why those in particular?
I think it’s a tie between Rene Gruau & Antonio Lopez, both for different reasons. Gruau was a master of line quality, shape & color. His girls are classy & gorgeous. Antonio was also a master of line quality, shape & color, but his 60s- 80s pop culture sensibilty really brought a different element to fashion illustration. I also grew up seeing his work in magazines, so that shaped my love of the field.
Which is your personal favourite work by you, and by another artist?
I can’t pick a favorite of mine, but I do have a few pieces that I’m in love with (you can find these on my website- www.jenniferlilya.com_) : “Dots of Fun”- I was very happy with the effect I got from the fabric & pattern of her dress; “Blossom”- For the brilliant bright colors & the shape of her lips; And most recently, “Fan Club”- I’m very happy with the few lines I use to achieve her hair, and I love the makeup on her.
I’m not sure I can pick a favorite by Antonio, but there’s one illustration he did of Jerry Hall that’s just killer. It’s just a portrait of her with sort of a cactus as a hat. He captured her essence, her face, her background with just a few lines & a simple color scheme. Pure brilliance.
I think the most important thing is just to draw as much as you can- keep a sketchbook with you so you can draw when the mood strikes or you see something inspiring. The more you draw, the more you’ll develop your style & find the mediums you like to work in.
Do you consider yourself to be a fashionable person? Do you pay attention to style and trends when preparing outfits for yourself?
I consider myself fashionable- I looove dressing up to go out! I definitely pay attention to style & trends, but I'm not a slave to trends- I might pick a key piece (like some animal print this season) or an accessory or cool shoes to add some pizazz to an outfit. My basic wardrobe is black; black camisoles, black skirts, black jeans, that I either dress up or dress down. And I love cute little party dresses!
Also, do you think your own personal style this affects your work?
I think my style reflects in my work- easygoing, flirty & fun. and happy.
Last week I carried out a Photo shoot with Rebecca for my project. It was loads of fun :).
I must also say that I learned a lot about Fashion Photography. Not only about technicalities like poses, lighting and angles, but also how these affected the overall atmosphere and "message" in your work. "A picture is worth a thousand words" ; it's true. Every little twist of the head, flicker of an eyelid or the bend of an arm contributes to the aesthetic quality of the shot. I also noted that a Fashion Photographer can be quite the artist. This is in the sense that s/he uses settings, figures, lighting and all the elements around him to convey a message, a perception, maybe in a way you never thought about before.
The main theme chosen here was focused around the investigation of how the punk-rock subculture affected mainstream fashion. With their edgy accessories and haircuts, attire and bright but grungy feel.
Overall I think that this activity was valuable and highly educating. More than anything, being behind the camera makes you see things in a way you probably wouldn't in your everyday routine.
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| This is the most beautiful Wildbox Couture Lookbook I have ever seen, or read. |
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| Wildfox is always so fun and flirt and way inspirational :). |
Getting on with my Systems of Knowledge project! Woop woop :)
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| "The Bright Side" feature in my project about vivid looking styles. |
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| This is a sketch I'm doing from a Teen Vogue issue for the feature mentioned above. |
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| Topshop's lookbook was amazing. It's was my inspiration for the design on the right. |
Here are some sketches I did a while ago. In both of these sketches there is featured the model Sasha Pivovarova. She is one of the most dynamic, creative and enthusiastic woman I have ever seen in this job.
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| Sasha Pivovarova for H&M |
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| Sasha Pivovarova :) |
I finally decided to upload some snapshots from my trip to Austria. It was loads of fun, especially the amazing art in Vienna, and the breathtaking sights outside the city :D. There was also some inevitable drama involved, what with making a slight(very slight) detour for my camera, which ended up taking us all round the country. And I'm not even kidding. A 3-4 hour drive took us all day long! I also lost my mobile phone (temporarily), and it rained a lot on some of the days. That meant I had to wear a raincoat. Which kills me really, but I found this cute one with a sort of floral design so it wasn't that bad at all :D. Ingenuity makes my days, I tell you :P.
I put up my trip and a couple of photos here because, while it is not directly related to work concerning art and fashion, I think I got influenced a lot. If it was the really cute and gorgeous looking cupcakes in a Viennese shop or the cool Graffiti I found whilst walking down one of the less inhabited streets. You find art everywhere around you, it's amazing.
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| Window shopping in Vienna: Delicious looking cupcakes :D. |
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| Graffiti. It looks awesome! I remeber like, two or three years ago, I was absolutely determined to do one... I wonder what happened... |
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| The rain coat and stuffed into it. Pull and Bear Jeans and floral vest, Red Indian shoes, Accessorize beanie and scarf, vintage belt. |
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| Amazing sights, I think this is one of my favourite shots. |
The model above is from an Elle issue of about a year and a half ago. The flowy lace mesh dresses were gorgeous, and I loved the textures. In the end I drew this one which I uploaded here :).