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Nino Via

This Fashion Sketching Course (7-videos-modules) is for beginners: young and old, with an interest and passion for designing fashion.  In this Course you will learn how the body moves, body movement, and  balancing the body using the Plumb Line.  You will learn the industry standard "9-Heads Croquis". 

We start with a simple exercise using a pencil and learn how to achieve different "shading" effects depending on how you are holding the pencil.  Using the pencil correctly is the foundation of good sketching, whether it's fashion design or not.

Read more

This Fashion Sketching Course (7-videos-modules) is for beginners: young and old, with an interest and passion for designing fashion.  In this Course you will learn how the body moves, body movement, and  balancing the body using the Plumb Line.  You will learn the industry standard "9-Heads Croquis". 

We start with a simple exercise using a pencil and learn how to achieve different "shading" effects depending on how you are holding the pencil.  Using the pencil correctly is the foundation of good sketching, whether it's fashion design or not.

You will also look at inspiration as a way to influence sketching: fashion inspiration, using a "fashion diary/journal" - creating a "pool" from which to draw ideas from will definitely affect your ability to draw new fashion designs.

You will learn garment closure: difference between womenswear and menswear button closure.

In this Course students will learn:

  • How to draw a "9-Head Croquis"

  • How to use a Croquis as a template to start sketching fashion ideas.

  • Body movement and creating an "S-shaped" silhouette.

  • Balancing the body and use of the Plumb Line.

  • Pencil techniques to create "shirring/gathers", and shading, and coloring.

  • Creating a "fashion diary-journal" to use as source of inspiration to influence ideas for designing.

  • Differentiate garment closure between men's wear and women's wear

  • Create your own style.

  • And some inspiring words of wisdom...

Sketching ideas swirling in your imagination onto paper is the first step in developing a fashion portfolio and a fashion collection/line.  Being able to share ideas that can eventually be translated into an actual garment is so important.

You will learn that the body moves in a certain way and stays balanced at all times. That's when learning how to use the Plumb Line correctly will enable you to create your sketches so they look professional and exciting. Learning how the torso and the hips work together in-sync with each other will enable you to sketch dramatic and impressive figures and illustrations.

As a fashion designer the pencil will become your best friend: learning techniques on how to hold the pencil and apply pressure unto paper in order to achieve different "thickness", applying different weight of the pencil unto paper.

Whether you are a beginner designer or a professional, sketching plays an important role when delegation responsibilities to your assistant or team.  They have to understand what you are trying to achieve in your design and sketching it correctly is necessary.

Your seamstress and/or pattern-maker have to be able to look at your sketches and understand what you're communicating. The sketch will eventually become the garment thus needs to be accurate and clear.

You will learn how the industry uses a Template known as the Croquis as a way to sketch ideas.  A Croquis is "taller/longer" than the normal body thus elongating the body/figure and appearing taller than the average human body.

You will learn how to create a "fashion journal" which will help you develop your own unique style as a fashion designer. Knowing what you like (and don't like) empowers your designing abilities and will support you in developing your unique "voice".

Developing your own unique fashion design style is very important: what makes you different than the next designer. Establishing your own style is key in creating a successful brand. Fashion brands come and go therefore you must build a strong foundation with a strong particular and different style that you can call your own.  Practicing your fashion sketching consistently will enable you to achieve that goal.

Learning how to sketch fashion designs, and the practice of it, will give you confidence and certainty; it will boost your morale, and the ability to communicate your ideas. Having the power to tell your story through your ability to sketch, will solidify your brand identity.

Sketching enables you and empowers you to express on paper your ideas and possibilities that come across your imagination.

Enjoy the course.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Overview of the Course. An introduction of the "9-Head Croqui".

Croqui

Learning how to draw a croqui.

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How the body "moves" and the use of plumb line.

Using a Croqui as a template to sketching.

Different ways of using a pencil. Learning how to draw shirring/gathers. Learning shading.

The use of a Fashion Diary/Journal as source of inspiration. Things to remember while sketching. Menswear vs Womenswear. Using color.

What inspires you...

Link To Pattern Making 1 : https://www.udemy.com/course/pattern-making-for-fashion-design-beginner-course/?referralCode=6F644A7AD0AC5303E4BF

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a foundation in fashion sketching, which is essential for communicating design ideas to seamstresses, pattern-makers, and teams
Focuses on developing a unique fashion design style, which is key to establishing a successful and recognizable brand in the industry
Teaches the industry-standard "9-Heads Croquis," which is a template used to elongate the body figure in fashion sketches
Explores the use of a fashion diary/journal for inspiration, which can help designers develop their unique style and generate new ideas
Includes a bonus lecture with FAQs and a link to a pattern-making course, which may be helpful for those looking to expand their skills
Requires learners to have access to pencils, which may be an additional cost for some students

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Reviews summary

Beginner sketching for fashion designers

According to learners, this course is a solid introduction to fashion sketching for beginners. Students appreciate the clear instruction on fundamental techniques like the 9-head croquis, body movement, and pencil use. Many found the course easy to follow and that it provided a strong foundation for developing sketching skills. Some reviewers felt the course could potentially be expanded with more advanced topics or inspiration techniques, but overall, it's seen as an effective starting point.
Provides basics, leaves room for deeper dives.
"It's a great start, but I wish there was more content on different poses or fabric rendering."
"The course gives you the building blocks, but you'll definitely need more practice and resources to become proficient."
"Good for learning the very basic structure. Felt it could go deeper into styling or garment details."
"I liked the intro to the fashion journal, but more creative exercises would be nice."
"Solid foundation, but I'm now looking for an intermediate course to build on these skills."
Instructor is clear and easy to follow.
"The instructor is very clear and easy to listen to. The pace was just right for a beginner."
"I understood everything the instructor explained. They made complex ideas simple."
"Teaching style was encouraging and made me feel confident trying the techniques."
"Instructor breaks down the process effectively."
"Clear demonstrations made it easy to copy the techniques."
Covers essential methods like croquis & pencil.
"Learning the 9-head croquis was exactly what I needed. The instructor explained it very well."
"The pencil techniques module was surprisingly helpful! I learned simple ways to add shading and texture."
"Understanding body movement and balance using the plumb line was a game changer for my figures."
"I really appreciated the focus on foundational skills before jumping into complex designs."
"The lessons on croquis and basic figure structure were the most valuable part for me."
Ideal for those new to fashion sketching.
"This is a really great beginner course, covering all the basics you need to get started with fashion sketching."
"As a complete beginner, I found the lessons easy to understand and follow. It didn't overwhelm me at all."
"Great course for starting out. It really helped me get a handle on the fundamentals like drawing the croquis."
"I had no prior experience, but this course broke down the steps making it accessible."
"Perfect for someone who has never sketched fashion before."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Sketching for Fashion Design ~ Beginner Course for Designers with these activities:
Practice Basic Pencil Shading Techniques
Reinforce fundamental pencil control and shading skills, which are essential for creating depth and texture in fashion sketches.
Show steps
  • Gather pencils of varying hardness (e.g., 2H, HB, 2B, 4B) and sketching paper.
  • Practice creating smooth gradients from light to dark using each pencil.
  • Experiment with different shading techniques like hatching, cross-hatching, and blending.
Read 'Fashion Illustration: Outfit Ideas and Drawing Techniques for Beginners'
Supplement the course material with a book that focuses on the fundamentals of fashion illustration, providing additional examples and exercises.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Fashion Illustration: Outfit Ideas and Drawing Techniques for Beginners'.
  • Read the chapters on figure drawing and garment rendering.
  • Practice the exercises provided in the book.
Create a Fashion Inspiration Journal
Develop a personal fashion journal to cultivate inspiration and refine your unique design style, as emphasized in the course.
Show steps
  • Gather images from magazines, online sources, and personal photos that inspire you.
  • Organize the images into categories such as silhouettes, colors, textures, and details.
  • Annotate the images with notes about what you find appealing and how they could be incorporated into your designs.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Practice Drawing the 9-Heads Croquis
Master the industry-standard 9-Heads Croquis to accurately represent elongated fashion figures.
Show steps
  • Review the course module on drawing the 9-Heads Croquis.
  • Practice drawing the Croquis repeatedly, focusing on proportions and accuracy.
  • Use the Croquis as a template to sketch various fashion designs.
Design a Mini Fashion Collection
Apply the learned sketching techniques to design a small fashion collection, solidifying your understanding of garment construction and design principles.
Show steps
  • Choose a theme or concept for your collection.
  • Sketch 5-7 designs based on your chosen theme, using the 9-Heads Croquis as a template.
  • Add details such as fabric textures, colors, and embellishments to your sketches.
Read 'Fashion Design Drawing Course: Principles, Practice and Techniques'
Expand your knowledge with a comprehensive guide to fashion design drawing, covering advanced techniques and design concepts.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Fashion Design Drawing Course: Principles, Practice and Techniques'.
  • Study the chapters on advanced sketching techniques and design concepts.
  • Experiment with the techniques presented in the book to enhance your sketching skills.

Career center

Learners who complete Sketching for Fashion Design ~ Beginner Course for Designers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Fashion Designer
A fashion designer conceives and creates clothing and accessory designs. This course helps fashion designers learn the foundations of sketching. In this course, the learner will begin to develop their own design style. The course demonstrates how to utilize the body's natural movements while sketching. Learning how to use a croquis as a template to sketch fashion ideas is another key takeaway from this fashion course. The course also reviews differences in menswear and womenswear.
Fashion Illustrator
A fashion illustrator creates drawings or paintings of clothing and accessories for advertising, editorial, or promotional purposes. The focus of this course is sketching and is thus greatly beneficial for an aspiring fashion illustrator. The course covers pencil techniques, croquis, and body movement that will transfer to the work of a fashion illustrator. The ability to sketch ideas swirling in the imagination onto paper is the first step in developing a fashion portfolio.
Apparel Designer
Apparel designers create clothing for mass production. This course equips apparel designers with the skills to effectively communicate their ideas through sketching. The course introduces the industry-standard '9-Heads Croquis', which is a tool apparel designers use constantly. Learning pencil techniques to create shirring, gathers, shading, and coloring are takeaways from this course. Practicing fashion sketching consistently helps apparel designers achieve their goals.
Costume Designer
Costume designers create clothing for theatrical, film, and television productions. This course provides costume designers with the ability to translate their creative visions onto paper. The course will be especially useful to costume designers because it teaches body movement. Costume designers frequently consider this when designing clothing for performance. The course also emphasizes the importance of a 'fashion diary/journal' as a source of inspiration.
Design Assistant
Design assistants support fashion designers with various tasks, including sketching, research, and sample preparation. This course equips design assistants with sketching skills. In particular, the course teaches how to use a croquis. For design assistants, the course also demonstrates how to utilize the body's natural movements while sketching. Learning pencil techniques to create shirring, gathers, shading, and coloring are takeaways from this course. This course will teach sketching as a way to delegate responsibilities.
Pattern Maker
Pattern makers translate designs into physical patterns for garment production. This course helps pattern makers by improving their ability to interpret fashion sketches. The course emphasizes clarity and accuracy in sketching, which are essential for effective communication with pattern makers. Your pattern maker has to be able to look at your sketches and understand what you're communicating.
Textile Designer
Textile designers develop patterns and designs for fabrics. This course may be useful to textile designers by honing their sketching skills. This course introduces the '9-Head Croquis' and offers students a guide to using a Croquis as a template to start sketching ideas. By understanding garment closure differences between menswear and womenswear, students may find new inspiration. Students will also learn how to find inspiration for their art.
Creative Director
Creative directors oversee the visual aspects of a brand or company. This course may be helpful to creative directors in the fashion industry by improving their visual communication skills and allowing them to sketch new and innovative ideas for fashion designs. This course goes over how to sketch fashion designs, and the practice of it will give you confidence and certainty. This course will teach sketching as a way to delegate responsibilities.
Surface Pattern Designer
Surface pattern designers create designs for a variety of surfaces, including fabrics, wallpaper, and home goods. This course may be useful for surface pattern designers by honing their sketching skills. The course introduces the '9-Head Croquis' and offers students a guide to using a Croquis as a template to start sketching ideas. By understanding garment closure differences between menswear and womenswear, students may find new inspiration. Students will also learn how to find inspiration for their art.
Stylist
Stylists select clothing and accessories for photoshoots, fashion shows, or personal clients. This course may be useful for those pursuing this line of work because it can assist in communicating fashion ideas. The course covers menswear versus womenswear and how inspiration can influence sketching. The ability to sketch ideas swirling in the imagination onto paper empowers the stylist to develop a fashion portfolio.
Fashion Editor
Fashion editors write and curate content for fashion magazines or websites. This course may be useful for those pursuing this line of work because it can assist in communicating fashion ideas. The course covers learning how to create a 'fashion journal.' Knowing what you like (and don't like) empowers your designing abilities and will support you in developing your unique 'voice'. Developing your own unique fashion design style is very important.
Fashion Merchandiser
Fashion merchandisers are responsible for planning and developing strategies to maximize profits for a business. They must be able to visualize how well certain products will be received by consumers and how to best market those products. Though this course is not specifically about merchandising, it covers sketching and can help fashion merchandisers communicate their vision effectively to other members of their team.
Fashion Blogger
Fashion bloggers create content about fashion trends, styles, and designers. Even if one does not need to sketch, it helps to improve their ability to communicate fashion ideas. This course may be useful for those pursuing this line of work because it can assist in communicating fashion ideas. The course covers menswear versus womenswear and how inspiration can influence sketching. Learning how to find inspiration can also help develop good content.
Fashion Buyer
Fashion buyers select and purchase merchandise for retail stores. This course may be helpful to fashion buyers by improving their visual communication skills and allowing them to sketch new and innovative ideas for fashion designs. The course goes over how to sketch fashion designs, and the practice of it will give you confidence and certainty. The course emphasizes the importance of establishing one's own style.
Seamstress or Tailor
Seamstresses and tailors construct, alter, or repair clothing. Clear communication is key, and this course may be useful for them. The course emphasizes sketching accurately and clearly. The sketch will eventually become the garment, and the accuracy will affect the seamstress. This course can boost the morale and ability to communicate ideas for seamstresses.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Sketching for Fashion Design ~ Beginner Course for Designers.
Serves as a comprehensive guide to fashion design drawing, covering principles, practice, and techniques. It delves deeper into advanced sketching methods and design concepts. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions. It adds more depth to the existing course by providing a structured approach to learning fashion design drawing.
Provides a solid foundation in fashion illustration techniques, specifically tailored for beginners. It covers essential topics such as figure drawing, garment rendering, and creating outfit ideas. The book is valuable as additional reading, offering practical exercises and visual examples to enhance sketching skills. It useful reference for understanding basic fashion illustration principles.

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