Every so often a client will commission preliminary projects from several artists to help them select a style appropriate for a larger project.  Sometimes my style is the right one – and sometimes it is not.  In the latter case, I sort of feel it is a shame not to share some drawings I spent time and effort and hope developing.  I think they are pretty cute, even if they lack context and purpose now.

One of the causes I volunteer for is TREnDS, “a national fashion and image project by teens, for teens. We want to empower ourselves to achieve fashion freedom: fashion that reflects our personal style and counteracts the objectification of women.” This is a watercolour illustration I created to be used for promotional material for the organization.

While I was away at an undisclosed location for the past few weeks, I had the great pleasure of being surrounded by many young, independent, energetic people and I sketched a few of them in my sketchbook.

Amber by night turns into Esther De Ville, burlesque temptress.  She is currently starring in the Holt Renfrew windows on Saturdays – and she has a big debut with Starlight Burlesque coming up tomorrow – check the details here.

Jon is a comedian who writes and performs with the sketch troupe The Sketchersons who have a regular Sunday show on Bloor Street West.

Every week (in theory), Fashion Illustrated features a drawing created especially for Final Fashion.

I got a surprise at the Starkers! show at [FAT].  A model in a mask and a straightjacket-looking corset weaved down the catwalk, pulling keys off of her outfit and handing them to the audience at random, and she gave one to me.

Photo by James Fisher, tdot.tv

When I got home I discovered that the key was attached to a USB with a voucher for a free custom corset! Amazing!  The options are either vinyl or bring-your-own-fabric so I looked into my stash and cut some swatches to help me picture a corset made of some lovely brushed wool that I have.

I will be posting a series on the process of getting a custom corset from Starkers!, so stay tuned for that in the upcoming weeks.

Every week, Fashion Illustrated features a drawing created especially for Final Fashion.

Okay, a couple days ago I promised another extra-curricular illustration for you.  That was silly.  I was not feeling it tonight.  I spent all day drawing for clients, and finally at the end of the day, it felt like my imaginative pen had run dry.  So I dipped it in some ink and without thinking drew this, just for you.

What is it about?  I think it is a self portrait with ennui.  I got a haircut a while ago, which is a very nice haircut and well done, but I feel like it is someone else’s haircut.  Too precise too blunt, not scruffy enough.  My head feels off.

Every week, Fashion Illustrated features a drawing created especially for Final Fashion.  Except for last Wednesday.  So today, I make it up to you.  You will get another one this Wednesday, I mean it.

I was checking out the Rick Owens portraits on SHOWstudio, and got inspired to check out his Fall 2009 runway show, where I loved this look on Karlie Kloss.  Rendered in india ink on a scrap of watercolour paper.

LG Fashion Week in Toronto is all wrapped up now. This season, I did watercolour pencil sketches on 4×6 postcards at all the shows I was invited to.

The original artwork is for sale for just $50 CDN – if you’d like to receive a runway postcard, email me for details

NADA was one of my favourite shows at LG Fashion Week – and when I really like a show, I do a lot of drawings and they usually turn out very well.  Today I found two more good rough sketches from NADA and finished them.

I am kind of surprised no one wanted to buy a NADA postcard so far because I think they were the most successful of all the postcards I did, both on their own and especially as a group.  In the spirit of keeping these cards together, if someone wants to buy all 5 I’ll sell them for $200 – that offer goes void if someone buys a single postcard.

Every week, Fashion Illustrated features a drawing created especially for Final Fashion.

Going through my many rough/botched runway postcards throughout the week, I found a couple scrawls from Philip Sparks‘ show.  As it was my first show of the season I was pretty raw and went through quite a few cards where the outfits were unrecognizable and the proportions were ridiculous.  Tonight I tried to salvage a couple of them with my sable brush.  Definitely looks better than before, and it feels good to use the cards for something better than a false start.

Every week, Fashion Illustrated features a drawing created especially for Final Fashion.

This week I got inspired by the video of Gareth Pugh’s Fall 2009 collection on SHOWstudio.  It reminded me of Rorschach inkblot tests, so I tried the technique out for fun.  Might use this again when I have more time.

Every week, Fashion Illustrated features a drawing created especially for Final Fashion.

This week’s illustration is one day late.  I worked 12 hours yesterday and got a massive headache in the process so for the first time this year, I missed a post.  Today, I’m still on deadline but I just doodled aimlessly for a bit and this is what I drew.  Not my greatest work, but its posted now, isn’t it?