Fashion Sketchbook Hardcover – September 17, 2008

The media could not be loaded. Very informative & educational I use this book a lot to help me out !

This book was a suggested text to use for a Fashion Illustration course I was taking at UNLV. Though we didn't use it much, I discovered it has some excellent references in terms of croquis designs, fabric sketches, face, hand and feet illustrations and so on. Definitely a keeper.

Ordered this book because it was required for a college course I was taking. This manual covers all aspects of drawing for fashion. Easy to follow and has improved my lack of drawing skills. This will be a keeper in my library of fashion, sewing books.

The book is a blessing and I’m grateful for all the info provided and some great tips, amazing for beginners. BUT for me the reason I invested was for the studio access and to also have visuals along with the lessons. $120 later come to find out the studio access license is restricted in North America. Of course you wouldn’t know that until you open the book and read the pamphlet that has the access information. So for those in North America save yourself the extra bucks and look for another edition , or this same edition but no studio access. But other than that great book. Im a beginner with NO training or background knowledge in fashion and this book is helpful.

i like how organized this book is. its helping me improve my sketches

This book is everything! Now all I need is the updated version.

This book was slightly worn, but still good enough to give my granddaughter for Christmas. She was thrilled and enjoys drawing fashions.

This is The authority on illustrating for fashion. Abling's attention to detail and artistic ability make her a perfect tutor on the topic, and every explanation is clear--it's the sort of thing where you look at the example, and it clicks in your head, "Oh, Now I see!".The book goes over Everything you need, but in case you want to know exactly what is inside, here is a quick summary:Ch 1: Fashion Figure ProportionsFigures on grids broken down in several ways, extensive work on proportion. Abling divides figures into geometric shapes: foot, head, hips, chest, upper arm, thigh; she then puts them together, showing how they fit and relate to one anther. It then goes further and shows how different poses and types of movement affect the torso (upper and lower), as well as different types/shapes of figures, from the elongated fashion figure to petite and full. The chapter also features a figure map, interpretations of anatomy, different poses and artistic approaches, balance, and movement.Ch 2: Basic Figure FormsDrawing legs, arms, feet, shoes, hands, fingers, and foreshortening. There are so many helpful diagrams from multiple perspectives, numerous poses.Ch 3: Model DrawingGesture drawing, exercises on isolated sections of the body, angles, and more; balance line, supporting leg (where the weight is distributed so the figure looks planted to the ground, not floating around or unevenly/awkwardly perched), arms.Ch 4: Fashion HeadsFaces, different ethnicities, facial features, dissection of the head with a map on the placement of eyes, nose, lips, etc. The head in different positions, from different angles; techniques to maintain proportion and balance: diamond technique, working with angles and planes of the face, shading/highlights/shadows. Hair: styles, hairlines, period styles.Ch 5: Drawing MenComparison to female figure, legs, arms, hands, hair, gesture, dressing the figure, suits, and details on how the fabric falls, where to put certain features like the cuff, armhole, etc. Proportions, classic menswear techniques, fashion croquis technique, vintage styles.Ch 6: Drawing ChildrenProportions by age, with many dissections and comparisons, tons of helpful illustrations and examples. Infants, toddlers, children, tweens; heads, facial expressions, hairstyles, arms, hands, legs, feet, vintage styles.Ch 7: Garment and Garment DetailsNecklines, collars, sleeves (different types, lengths, etc), skirts (folds, fall of fabric, gathering, flaring, volume, pleats), pants (folds, gathering, lengths, fit), blouses, blazers, jackets, coats, ruffles, smocking, shirring, cowls, fur, quilting, formal gowns, applying the concepts to garments.Ch 8: AccessoriesJewelry and how they sit on the body, eyewear, hats (male, female), belts (types, fit), trims, notions, closures, handbags, shoes (different angles, heel heights, types).Ch 9: Basic Rendering TechniquesWorking with stripes and other fabric types/prints. Shading, highlighting, rendering with marker, fall fabrics, more fabric types: shiny fabrics, flat/matte, sheers, layers, velvet, satins, chiffon, etc. Working with all black fabrics.Ch 10: Color RenderingChapter features color renderings to show skin tones, menswear with marker, children; using gouache, using watercolors, rendering hair in color.Ch 11: Drawing KnitsNecklines, knit patterns, treatments/embellishments.Ch 12: Designer Sketching and Fashion IllustrationPoses: I-pose, S-pose, X-pose, T-pose. Attitude, "look" and feel, style, emphasis.Ch 13: Drawing Flats and SpecsLayout styles, freehand sketching, proportion, chart on measurements by size: Women, Men, Unisex, Belts, Hats, Socks. Gathering, buttons, closures, top stitching. Mixing croquis and flat drawings.Ch 14: LayoutCombining multiple drawings, elements, or figures; groupings,AppendixMore necklines, collars, sleeves, armholes, tops, dresses, skirts, pants, jackets, coats, sleepwear, underwear, design details, ties, hats, waistlines, pockets, handbags, shoes, collars, cuffs.One of the neatest sections in the book is titled "problem spots" and features examples of the right and wrong way to do various details. Showing examples of how amateurs or beginners make mistakes and then showing the correct way works So well! Better than explanation, this simple and clear approach is crucial.This book is filled with immensely helpful diagrams, exercises, and demonstrations. Every part of it is useful to students and designers, and because it is so comprehensive, this could be the single most important book in fashion illustration. If you could only have one book on the subject, get Fashion Sketchbook by Bina Abling.