Sketching a Muse - Interview With Judith Van Den Hoek - Fashion Illustrator
Today I’ll introduce you into the world of a very talented fashion illustrator: Judith Van Den Hoek whose artwork brought my attention with its simplicity and its precise and delicate details. Although most of her drawings are sketched, using cutting edge artistic techniques, and drawing her inspiration from the world around her, these illustrators give us visions of her perfect muse.
But I won’t tell you more. I’ll invite you to read the interview bellow where Judith talk about her fashion illustrations, inspirations, favorite books, tools or magazines. Click through, and prepare your eyes for a fashionable feast.
How do you describe your fashion illustration style?
I describe my fashion illustration style as: simple and minimalist. I am not so good at drawing very realistic things and color them. I like to work with black and to sketch, and that is what I do best, I believe :). I think with this I get on to add a personal touch to my fashion illustrations.
Talk a little bit about the techniques you use when drawing your fashion illustrations?
I like to sketch, and try different things out. I am sketching until I find something that is interesting to look at. I love to invent and experience new ideas with my fashion illustrations.
What tools do you use to draw your artwork?
In my process of drawing I use Paint tools, Copic Ciao Felt pen (100 Black), pencils and Black marker. I also use Photoshop after drawing to give to the illustration a fresh and clean look.
What is your favorite tool and why?
I like to work with paint and with felt pens. I like the effects I can create with those tools.
Name 3 of your favorite objects that inspire you.
3 things that inspire me are: Magazines, fashion bloggers and books. I really like to read magazines like ELLE and Vogue (Dutch versions). They are brilliant sources to discover illustrators. The biggest inspiration for me is René Gruau. Every time I see his work I fall in love with his illustrations. The man really was a genius.
What are 3 books that inspired you to develop your style of illustrating fashion?
I usually go to bookstores and look in fashion illustration books. I can look in those books for hours! Some examples are:
* 100 years of fashion illustration
* Fashion illustration techniques
* Fashion Illustration Exposed
I just love to see how other fashion illustrators work and what kind of techniques they use. I always look if I can learn something from them! I really loved the illustrators/tutorials that you featured. You really did a nice job on that book!
For what type of projects do you use to sell your fashion illustrations?
At the moment I mostly do editorial work. I also sell my illustrations to people who would like to have one of my illustrations on their wall.
How hard is for you being a freelance fashion illustrator? Do you have monthly projects to work for or do you also have a job?
It is really hard. Sometimes it is really hard to make a schedule for all the deadlines. And sometimes you don’t have projects for a couple of weeks/months. I tried a job for a period, but I decided to put all my time an energy in illustrating, because I really want to make it work.
How do you promote your fashion illustrations?
Through the internet. I try to find ways to promote my illustrations via the internet.
Why did you choose this area of fashion illustration? Why is it so important for your soul?
Illustrating is something I liked as long as I can remember. When I was young I really liked to draw all kind of different things. But when I was the age of seventeen, I discovered more and more how much I like to illustrate fashion. Nowadays, I never draw something else but fashion.
What for you is one of the most important things as a fashion illustrator?
I try to reach people with my fashion illustrations and I want to fascinate them with my work. For me one of the most important things is also that I like doing what I do. And I can illustrate for hours and hours and never get tired of it.
Photos Copyright Judith Van Den Hoek
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