Blue Logan uses sketches to report on fashion

Right now, Blue Logan is one of the most popular fashion illustrators around. I have heard that he is called the "pencil paparazzi" because he reports on fashion events using a sketchbook instead of a camera.

I think I would like to try this technique. Unfortunately, my home computer is having problems, so I am doing my blogging from the Athens, Ohio public library. It's actually the most beautiful building in town, so I don't mind spending a lot of time here.

This would be a great place to sketch. Local bars and restaurants might also be good places to capture drawings of interesting people.

Anyway, Blue has a great, very colorful website at http://www.bluelogan.co.uk. These drawings are from his website.


Thanks for visiting my blog! If you are looking for a current example of my custom fashion illustrations, visit this link: http://lizblair.blogspot.com/2009/10/alabama-chanin-design-and-my-drawing-of.html

How to customize a store-bought wig

The wig I'm currently wearing is called the "Becky" wig from the Estetica wig company. First, I have found it to be worthwhile to shop for different prices on the internet. When it comes to wigs, I have found that price is not always that closely related to quality. When I searched for this particular wig in the internet, prices from a number of reputable companies varied between $80 and $120. Of course I bought the one that was on sale for about $80 plus shipping and handling.

As soon as you get the wig, check to make sure it is the right color before you remove it from the box or bag. It is difficult to return a wig after it has been removed from the box and tried on.

If the color is good, then try on the wig to check to see how it looks. Try not to get too discouraged if it looks a little strange at first. Part of this is just that you haven't had a chance to get used to it yet. I would recommend wearing it around the house a few times before you wear it someplace important. This will give you time to get used to it and make necessary adjustments.I am usually not completely happy with the style when the wig first comes out of the box. Usually it looks better if it is trimmed a bit to fit your head and face.

When I first tried on this Becky wig, the bangs were too thick for my face. I have a short forehead and I only wear light, fringy bangs. You can hire a hairstylist to do the trim. I usually do my own trim, but I usually feel comfortable doing this myself. You might also try to get a trusted friend who will give you honest feedback. Most wigs are pretty thick all over, and probably look more natural if thinned out a bit.

The other thing I do is sew a few toupee clips to the inside of the wig. You can buy these at almost any wig store. I sew a few in my wig and try it out for a day or two. I often end up re-positioning them after wearing the wig a few times. With this Becky wig, I first placed the clips on the sides of my forehead, and the wig kept sliding back too far on my forehead, and exposing too much of my hairline.I hope that this advice is helpful.

Oh, and one more thing. Almost all wig companies say that their wigs are comfortable, but I have found the stretch cap from Estetica to be more comfortable than some of the other brands I have worn.

Thanks for visiting my blog! If you are looking for a current example of my custom fashion illustrations, visit this link: http://lizblair.blogspot.com/2009/10/alabama-chanin-design-and-my-drawing-of.html

More Tights with Beads and Sequins

Here's a couple more examples of tights with beads and sequins. I haven't actually made a pair for myself yet, but I might try it while I am on Christmas vacation.

The photo with the black tights is from Doo.Ri's Fall 2009 collection.

The white tights were homemade and appeared on the Park and Cube website at http://parkandcube.com.

Thanks for visiting my blog! If you are looking for a current example of my custom fashion illustrations, visit this link: http://lizblair.blogspot.com/2009/10/alabama-chanin-design-and-my-drawing-of.html

Easy to make socks: Inspired by Miu Miu and Nylon magazine

Here's a great DIY project that I saw on Nylin Magazine's website at http://www.nylonmag.com/


This idea was originally inspired by sequined tights on the runway at a Miu Miu fashion show. In case anyone doesn't know it, this fashion label is the youthful extension of Prada.

Thanks for visiting my blog! If you are looking for a current example of my custom fashion illustrations, visit this link: http://lizblair.blogspot.com/2009/10/alabama-chanin-design-and-my-drawing-of.html

Laura Laine: Finnish fashion illustrator

Laura Laine is a Finnish fashion illustrator who has done drawings for numerous international magazzines. To see more of her work, go to her website at www.lauralaine.net.

Thanks for visiting my blog! If you are looking for a current example of my custom fashion illustrations, visit this link: http://lizblair.blogspot.com/2009/10/alabama-chanin-design-and-my-drawing-of.html

Justine Limpus-Parish draws beautiful fashion illustrations

Justine Limpus-Parish is a fiber artist and fashion ilustrator from California, where she teaches fashion illustration. She has also written her own textbook called "Drawing the Fashion Body" and is a regular contributor to Belle Armoire magazine. You can find out more about Justine and her work at http://home.earthlink.net/~parishjt.

Thanks for visiting my blog! If you are looking for a current example of my custom fashion illustrations, visit this link: http://lizblair.blogspot.com/2009/10/alabama-chanin-design-and-my-drawing-of.html

Fashematics Comic Book pokes fun at Fashion Biz

Here's a fun idea. An Australian blogger has published a comic book poking fun at the fashion business. The book is described as "illustrations reinterpreting stars of the catwalk as zombies, robots and other comic book style characters. Although they are in Australia, they ship internationally. The website to order is at http://fashematics.com

Thanks for visiting my blog! If you are looking for a current example of my custom fashion illustrations, visit this link: http://lizblair.blogspot.com/2009/10/alabama-chanin-design-and-my-drawing-of.html

New York Times says fashion illustration making a comeback (sort of)

In an article by Ruth LaFerla called "What s Lens Can't Capture," there is a quote from Robert A. Richards that says "Illustration is suddenly blossoming a little." Richards is the curator of "The Line of Fashion," an exhibition of fashion drawings last spring at the Society of Illustrators in Manhatten.

The main point of the article is that fashion illustrations can project a certain energy and style that may not be captured in a photograph. Laird Borrelli, the author of "Fashion Illustration by Fashion Designers" adds that "...an illustrator can capture its poetry, document its mood or energy - those are subtle things that evoke something more than mere attendance."

Several popular fashion illustrators are mentioned in the article. Blue Logan, whose playing card illustrations have been widely coveted is appearing this week at the Art Basel show in Miami Beach. There is also a picture of Danny Roberts' popular drawing of the "Chanel Girls." Also mentioned are Laura Laine, a Finnish illustrator and Richard Haynes, who illustrates for In Style magazine and J. Crew.

Thanks for visiting my blog! If you are looking for a current example of my custom fashion illustrations, visit this link: http://lizblair.blogspot.com/2009/10/alabama-chanin-design-and-my-drawing-of.html

Free Fashion Magazine Coloring Pages:Group4

Thanks for visiting my blog! If you are looking for a current example of my custom fashion illustrations, visit this link: http://lizblair.blogspot.com/2009/10/alabama-chanin-design-and-my-drawing-of.html

Fashion Coloring Pages Group3

Thanks for visiting my blog! If you are looking for a current example of my custom fashion illustrations, visit this link: http://lizblair.blogspot.com/2009/10/alabama-chanin-design-and-my-drawing-of.html

Fashion Coloring Pages Group2

Thanks for visiting my blog! If you are looking for a current example of my custom fashion illustrations, visit this link: http://lizblair.blogspot.com/2009/10/alabama-chanin-design-and-my-drawing-of.html

Fashion Coloring Pages Group1

Thanks for visiting my blog! If you are looking for a current example of my custom fashion illustrations, visit this link: http://lizblair.blogspot.com/2009/10/alabama-chanin-design-and-my-drawing-of.html

Fashion Illustrator "Tiny" aka Julie Nivert

Today I came across another great fashion illustrator from Paris, France. She is "Tiny" aka Julie Nivert. She has an awesome drawing of The Glamorai at http://theglamorai.blogspot.com and this led me to her own blog at http://lemondedetiny.canalblog.com

Thanks for visiting my blog! If you are looking for a current example of my custom fashion illustrations, visit this link: http://lizblair.blogspot.com/2009/10/alabama-chanin-design-and-my-drawing-of.html