Fashion Drawing For Dummies

The fast and fun way to sketch stylish, long-limbed figures

If you like fashion and you like to doodle, you've come to the right place. Fashion Drawing For Dummies walks you through the process of preparing creative illustrations of men, women, and children wearing everything from sweats and jeans to cocktail dresses and tuxes, along with eye-catching accessories to complete the look. With some practice — and the tips and techniques you'll find in this friendly guide — you'll be on your way to illustrating your own fashion designs in no time.

• Find your footing — get a grip on the basics of figure drawing and make a list of the fun art supplies you'll need to set up your studio

• Create a core — follow step-by-step diagrams to draw fabulous torsos, arms, legs, hands, feet, faces, and hair

• The "Golden Rules" — master the must-have skills related to proportion, symmetry, body language, and movement to make your drawings look playful or sexy, tough or whimsical

• Play dress-up — find out how to dress your figure in the latest styles, along with tips on draping, texture, and patterns

Open the book and find:

• Details on line and shape techniques, shading, and freehand drawing

• The four fashion views

• Why head-to-toe exaggeration is key

• How to convey attitude and movement through body language

• Tips on taking risks and developing your own style

• Guidance on building your design portfolio

• Ten ways to kick-start your career

Learn to:

• Create long, lean fashion models, step by step, from head to toe

• Draw shirts, pants, and amazing accessories for men, women, and children

• Add details to your illustrations with texture, patterns, and prints

• Choose the right illustrations to include in your portfolio