Joel Woodard - The Story Behind a Rustic Chic Fashion Muse
After I saw Joel Woodard, I thought he’s a professional fashion illustrator but on a quickly research I’ve found out that he’s an interior designer. Wow!
I really appreciate Joel for keeping alive his passion for fashion and I invited him to write a guest post about the story behind one of his artwork:
Enjoy!
Fashion Illustration by Joel Woodard
” I’ve always drawn fashion, don’t know why, just have. I’ve only just begun sketching again in the past week. I don’t know if it’s something I will keep up with or not, but right now I’m enjoying doing it. “
What triggered you to draw this fashion illustration?
I have always loved one-shouldered gowns. I think it might be the classical Greek reference but I always think the woman who has the confidence to wear one stands out in the crowd.
Where the inspiration came from?
The inspiration just comes from my being an admirer of one-shouldered gowns. But again I think the classical Greek draped reference is where the inspiration can be traced.
What mediums did you used to create this artwork?
This drawing was used with a fine (not extra fine) black Sharpee marker for the drawing. Markers are my favorite medium. I like to work quickly and using paints are just too much mess for me. I like not to make my drawings look too labored.
I used a broad tip black Sharpee Marker for the hair and the body of the dress but I blended the body in with a broad tipped black calligraphy marker to get that sharp pleat-like edge at the gown’s hem, although in reality the gown’s skirt was not pleated. I used a white pencil to give some definition to the skirt so enhance its wind-blown quality.
The skin tone was a flesh-colored marker by Tombo. I like Tombo for this detail work because they have a very long point and you can detail or turn it slightly on its side and get broader coverage. The paper is marker paper. It grabs the marker beautifully and holds the lines without smudging and it also holds the color within the lines if that’s the effect you want.
Describe the process of your creation?
Drawings do not always come out in one attempt. For something so dramatic like this, I like to draw large. Sometimes it’s drawing a detail over and over but this drawing went pretty quickly. Indeed filling in all that black on the skirt was what took the most time.
How do you describe the style of this fashion illustration?
I’m not sure how I would describe this drawing. Abstract? Gestural? I guess I would have to call it graphic, definitely and most likely abstract as there’s not a lot of detail in it, but it instantly conveys a billowing one-shoulder evening gown.
Recommend a fashion book that inspired you and tell me 3 reasons why we should read it.
My favorite book, which was required when I was in college, is Illustrating Fashion by Eunice Sloan. I love this book. It has a lot of illustrators’ work in it.
Reasons:
1. It has a lot of black and white “masters” drawings especially Kenneth Paul Block and Steven Stipelman when they worked years ago for Women’s Wear Daily.
2. It has a good history section on fashion illustration.
3. It’s just a beautifully produced book on the art of fashion illustration that is a workhorse reference as well as looking good on your cocktail table.
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