FLAT DRAWING

Fashion illustration has been around for nearly 500 years. Ever since clothes have been in existence, and there has been a need to translate an idea or image into a fashion illustration. Not only do fashion illustrations show a representation or design of a garment but they also serve as a form of art. Seamstresses or dressmakers before fashion illustration use the so called technical drawing to interpret their designs to their customers. This is where a croquis originated. As time went by, they started putting in the croquis to add a more realistic touch to the drawings. Thus, conceptual drawing became possible.

Making technical drawings didn’t only stop at the first use of the croquis model. It even became more useful in interpreting the idea of the designer to more understandable sketches for the workers. Flat drawings are important because it communicates detail, silhouette and design quickly and clearly for them. As an illustrator, it is also important to master technical drawing.

An example of a comparison between a croquis drawing and a flat drawing.

(Source: http://bhsmistler.weebly.com/fashion-1/flat-garment-drawing)

This article will be about how to master flat drawings especially for beginners out there. We will start with some tracing exercises. We promise that we will make the learning process easy for you. So grab some pencils and erasers, let’s start sketching!

Flat drawing croquis, Traced by N. Balaba.  From 9 Heads: A Guide to Drawing Fashion, (Nancy Riegelman),2016

This is an example of a flat drawing with the croquis.  The lines are stiffer but the design is clearer this time. You can also compare that in the flat drawings, the technical lines are visible. It is just like drawing a basic garment and just defining the lines for clarity.

For better understanding, we grabbed an illustration from fashion illustrator and blogger, Rongrong DeVoe. This illustration is a conceptual drawing fully-rendered.

Illustration by Rongrong DeVoe. (Source: www.rongrongdevoe.com)

To achieve a good flat drawing, observe first the conceptual drawing or the 9-heads drawing that you made for presentation. Observe the lines, the fall of the fabric that you want to achieve, the positioning of the pockets, buttons and zippers, etc. In this way, it will be easier for you to sketch because you have fully understood the technicalities of the garment. Always think that the flat sketch would be the basis of the pattern of the garment. So to make the right pattern, a technical drawing must be understandable.

If we only base on an illustration like the one above, it would be difficult for the patternmakers to interpret. But if we show them a simplified drawing like the following, it would be faster and easier for them.

Flat drawing: suit. Traced by B. Panimdim, From 9 heads: A Guide to Drawing Fashion, (Nancy Riegelman), 2016 

In the image above, you can notice the broken lines that are also shown. This is to show a more detailed sketch of the tailored blazer. You will also notice the positioning of the pockets and the buttons. In a flat drawing, it is important to show these details. If there is a dart in a garment, it is also necessary to show it in the sketch. However, it is not always necessary to include it in the 9-heads illustration. Remember the difference between the two: Flat drawings are for your employees/dressmakers and conceptual drawings are for your clients/customers. No book has ever clarified the difference between the two though. This is just based on our observation. This tip actually helps us a lot when asked about the two. So we’re just sharing it to you.

Flat drawing: different garments, Traced by S. Ando. From 9 heads: A Guide To Fashion Drawing, (Nancy Riegelman), 2016

This is another tracing exercise of different kinds of blouses. Again, make sure that the details are shown.

Blouse and Skirt, illustrated by L. Quismundo & B. Nuez, 2016

This is now the combination between a conceptual drawing and a flat drawing.

3 piece business ensemble, illustrated by R. Castro & M. Quimbo, 2016

REFERENCES: 

Sanchez, L. (n.d.). Flat Drawing. [PPT]


CONTRIBUTORS:

llustrators: Nuez, Quismundo, Quimbo, Castro

Tracers: Balaba, Panimdim, Ando 

Content: Nuez, Ando

Scanner: Fernando

Blog manager: Quismundo