Mar 2 • General discussion
Knowing your tools
STEP 1: Start with Your Sketching Tools (The Foundation)
Tools:
- ✏️ HB Pencil – Light sketching
- ✏️ 2B Pencil – Slightly darker sketch
- Kneaded eraser – Soft corrections without tearing paper
When to use:
- Lightly sketch your fashion croquis (elongated 9–10 head proportion figure).
- Map out pose, balance, and garment placement.
- Keep lines loose and light — this is your planning stage.
👉 Think of this as your “blueprint” layer.
📏 STEP 2: Refine Structure & Proportion
Tools:
- Harder pencil (HB or mechanical pencil)
- Ruler (for structured garments)
- French curve (optional for smooth curves)
When to use:
- Sharpen facial placement.
- Define shoulders, hips, and garment seams.
- Structure jackets, tailored pants, or geometric details.
👉 This stage adds confidence to your lines.
🖋 STEP 3: Ink & Define (Optional but Powerful)
Tools:
- Micron pens (0.3–0.5 for detail, 0.8 for bold outlines)
- Fine liner pens
When to use:
- Outline final garment shape.
- Define pleats, topstitching, zippers.
- Add contrast and bold fashion drama.
⚠️ Only ink when you’re confident in your sketch!
🎨 STEP 4: Add Color (Choose Your Medium)
🌈 Alcohol Markers (Copic-style)
- Best for smooth, editorial finishes.
- Great for bold runway looks.
- Layer light → medium → dark for depth.
🎨 Colored Pencils
- Perfect for texture (denim, fur, knitwear).
- Great control for beginners.
- Build color slowly in layers.
💧 Watercolor
- Soft, dreamy, artistic vibes.
- Apply light washes first.
- Let dry before adding shadows.
👉 Choose your medium based on the mood:
- Editorial glam → Markers
- Soft romantic → Watercolor
- Textured realism → Colored pencil
✨ STEP 5: Add Shadows & Dimension
Tools:
- Grey markers
- Darker shade of garment color
- White gel pen (for highlights)
Where to shade:
- Under arms
- Under bust
- Inside pleats
- Under chin
- Behind knees
Light source awareness = professional look.
🧵 STEP 6: Texture & Fabric Details
Tools:
- Fine liner
- Colored pencil
- Gel pen
How to show fabric:
- Silk → Long smooth lines
- Denim → Crosshatching
- Leather → Sharp highlights
- Fur → Short flick strokes
- Sequins → Small circular highlights
📄 STEP 7: Choose the Right Paper
Paper matters!
- Marker paper → Best for alcohol markers (prevents bleeding)
- Mixed media paper → Great for watercolor + pencil combo
- Bristol board → Smooth, clean professional finish
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