Rain Rain Rain

rain rain rain by emily elizabeth enns

And then I made a series! (your welcome Mom) Why not? I really liked playing with my watercolour sets and experimenting with different ways to “make it rain”. I also played with ranges of other colours and different shades and tones, as well as varied amounts of water. I used brushes, paper towels, bowls, straws and cups to get the effects I wanted.. which pretty much ended up looking all fairly similar. I still wish to experiment further with more paint techniques – I think i might have to switch mediums to make something really edgy, and less… watercolour-y.

Burberry in the Rain

Making rain out of watercolours is one messy task. But it was super easy and fun to do, I felt like a kid again.

Pen and Watercolour by emily elizabeth enns

Layers. Layers layers layers. And waiting, waiting for very wet paint to dry. Then adding more layers, and more waiting.

I started out dripping watercolour with a brush, but that process was going far too slow for me. So I switched to soaking a paper towel in water, smearing in with blue paint, and squeezing it over the page at an angle so it dripped down the paper.

Black and Blue Rain in coloured water by emily elizabeth enns

Very very messy. And resulted in very very blue fingers! Once the base was covered to my liking, I went back in with smaller brushes to make more detailed drip lines.

Once those layers dried I used thicker drops of paint overtop of the black to lift the colour a little and give it some more texture.

Burberry Trench and a Red Umbrella by emily elizabeth enns

After the rain was completed, I finished the watercolour paint on the girl in the trench coat. I then cut her out, painted a drop shadow onto of the rain and glued her down in place.

I really liked the 3-D isn effect this gave the painting. plus, maybe i can experiment more with this idea?! We’ll see!

Pens, Pencils and Improvised Light Tables.

The next pen and watercolour sketch draws inspiration from the beloved Burberry trench and its native home in rainy London.

Hack: Don’t have a light table for sketching and tracing lines? Improvise! I flipped my laptop upside down, taped my sketch book to the screen (scotch tape left no residue and came of easily, though masking tape might be better).

Improvising a light table! by emily elizabeth enns

I took some tips from idrawfashion.com on drawing hair into consideration, to give her locks a little more life, then brought it down to look a little simpler.

London in Pencil by emily elizabeth enns

It’s hard to let go of my pencil sketches, what if I screw up and make it worse? BUT what if I make it even better?

Regardless, I like the pen outline in contrast to watercolour –that, or I’m still learning how to color between the lines and need the reference point!

London in Pen, ready for colour! by emily elizabeth enns

Now that I’m pleased with the pen outline, I’m still hesitant to add color to the page – there’s a nice simplicity in black and white lines. But I want to expand my skills and try to add a rain effect into the picture.

idrawfashion.com

After my last few rounds of testing out fashion drawings and figures, I decided my art skills need to be taken to the next level, and I found my mecca!

Burberry trench coat – courtesy of idrawfashion.com

idrawfashion.com is a great website that show you how to draw fashion sketches properly – so that they actually look like their real life representations. The site is full of tutorials to guide you through drawing almost everything from iconic designer patterns, such as the Burberry plaid, different stockings and garters, feather boas, shoes and a variety of different fabrics.

Shoes! courtesy of idrawfashion.com

Each day new tips and trick are posted and you can search for just about anything! The list goes on!

Stockings and Garters courtesy of idrawfashion.com

Over the next few weeks I’m challenging myself to tackle a few of these to improve my skills and hopefully draw some cool stuff.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

It’s the most wonderful time of the year again with the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City that began February 11^th and continues until February 19^th.

Bryant park fashion week tent – Google images

To catch the highlights from previous shows and to see the schedule for the next few weeks, check out the MBFW website here. http://mbfashionweek.com/new-york/schedule

TOME – images by MBFW

My favourite looks from yesterday were from Ramon Martin and Ryan Lobo of TOME. The New York based duo produces a clean cut, practical and essential line of women’s wear. TOME pieces are modern and timeless ready to wear outfits targeted to every woman.

TOME on the runway – MBFW

And this year, they had Sarah Jessica Parker design a shoe line for the show!

Sarah Jessica Parker and TOME – MBFW

SJP Shoes for TOME -MBFW

BUT, what am I most excited for? Carolina Herrera of course!

On the morning of Monday, February 16^th.

 

“I have a responsibility to the woman of today – to make her feel confident, modern and above all else beautiful.” – Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera Spring/Summer 2015 – MBFW

Herrera is constantly pushing the boundaries of style contrasting the traditional and the modern to produce classic pieces every woman’s closet needs. Every show ends with one of her iconic bridal gowns, which she has expanded into full lines. (Which are stunning and fill up every page of my Pinterest boards!) The classic Carolina Herrera full-length skirt is on my wish list!

Carolina Herrera backstage – MBFW

Pen & Watercolour: Fashion Sketches

Pen and watercolour. Chic and simple, it’s one of my favourite mediums. Various pen sizes allow for delicate lines and detailed curls to shine, where as watercolour gives life and whimsy to fabrics, hair and shoes. I began dipping my toes into fashion sketches (which are not as easy as a few lines and some colour!), but maybe a little more practice and experimentation will help!

Fashion Sketch 1 by emily elizabeth enns

Fashion Sketch 2 by emily elizabeth enns

Fashion Sketch 3 by emily elizabeth enns

DVF Part II: Pencil Crayon

Pencil crayons are not one of my favourite mediums to work with. Maybe I haven’t spent enough time playing around with them, but I feel like we just don’t get along too well. I think I liked it better as just a pencil drawing and maybe should have just built on that. But hey, at least I tried!

I’m very jealous of anyone who has been able to master this technique… I ask, any helpful tips?

Just pencil….

Pencil drawing of DVF dress by emily elizabeth enns

Pencil Crayon

DVF. in pencil crayon by emily elizabeth enns

The Speedy – a little story about Louis Vuitton’s iconic bag

“EEE” Louis Vuitton celebrated 100 years on the Champs Elysee by putting its owners initials on their new bags – photo by emily elizabeth enns

Louis Vuitton bags are one of the most iconic and recognizable accessories in the world, mostly due to their monogram print – the classic LV pattern. The company originally began in 1854 to provide waterproof, lightweight, durable and luxurious luggage to travellers.

By the 1930’s, after much success in the industry, George Vuitton, Louis’s son, designed the first handbag intended for everyday use. The bag is a smaller version of the luggage line’s Keepall bag, which is more of a ‘duffel bag’ style.

The Speedy is handmade and crafted in France – photo by emily elizabeth enns

As the story goes, travelers riding the train into Paris needed a bag that could hold everything they needed for the day, yet easily fit into overhead compartments or on their laps. For it’s convenience it was dubbed “The Speedy”, and its shape has remained unchanged for the past 80 years.

Each season offers new prints, styles and colours, but it’s famous monogramed print stand the test of time. The quality of manufacturing hasn’t changed since the 19^th century either – every bag is produced with high quality leathers and made by hand.

Louis Vuitton’s iconic Damier print photo by emily elizabeth enns

The Speedy is a member of Louis Vuitton’s Iconic Collection as one of their most infamous bags. Its importance represents the beginning of the company’s journey into the handbag industry and the influence it had on the way both men and women use luggage today.

Each Louis Vuitton luggage piece is equipped with a working (and stylish) lock and keys photo by emily elizabeth enns

Last year, Louis Vuitton’s Atelier marked its 100^th Anniversary at it’s location on the Champs Elysee by inscribing the owners initials onto the bag.

The Speedy by Louis Vuitton
photo by emily elizabeth enns