2-day Fashion Illustration for Beginners

Suppose you have a passion for fashion and want to express your creativity through sketching. In that case, this course is an excellent introduction, regardless of your previous drawing experience or formal art education. Throughout the course, you will design custom templates for fashion figures, capturing them in various poses that range from dynamic motion to static elegance. We will explore the intricacies of depicting clothing, enhancing your ability to effectively illustrate and render garments.

This course is taught over two days, where John will cover the fundamentals of fashion illustration. By the end of the second session, you will be able to create a fashion lineup that incorporates all the skills you have learned.

The course is led by designer John Herrera, a tutor at FCFTA. In February 2015, John first presented his collection at the International Fashion Showcase during London Fashion Week, produced by the British Fashion Council. He has since showcased in Tokyo and London with Fashion Scout and recently made his debut at Paris Fashion Week. His AW25 collection, entitled “Femme à la Mode,” has already been featured in Tatler and has gained recognition from fashion’s toughest audience.

Course Highlights:

• Explore different types of fashion illustrations, including freehand sketches, flat drawings, stylised illustrations, and technical specifications.
• Learn to draw fashion croquis using the 11-head method.
• Master the art of flat drawings and illustrate garment silhouettes.
• Understand the colour wheel, encompassing primary, secondary, and tertiary colours.
• Develop knowledge on the different fibres and fabrics.
• Learn how to create a mood board and conceptualise your capsule collection.

Course Breakdown:

Day 1: You will explore various types of fashion illustrations, including freehand sketches and technical specifications. You will practice creating flat sketches, which will include basic garment features such as darts, seams, sleeves, necklines, and skirts. Additionally, you will learn how to draw stylised fashion croquis using the 11-head method, focusing on adding intricate details such as hands, facial features, and hair.

Day 2: Gain insight into colour schemes and terminology related to colour, including the colour wheel, as well as primary, secondary, and tertiary colours. Familiarise yourself with terms such as pigments, two-tone colours, and subdued hues. Master techniques for drawing various design details, including tucks, pleats, ruffles, and gathers. Additionally, you will explore various types of fabrics, including natural, synthetic, woven, and knitted materials. You will also learn how to create a mood board and design a capsule collection for your fashion range.

Key Details

Duration: 2 Days, Thursday 30th- Friday 31st October 2025

Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (with a short lunch break)

Location: 167 Hermitage Road, Haringey, London, N4 1LZ

Skill Level: Beginner-friendly. No prior experience is required.

Must be over 16 years old.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before the workshop for a refund. Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable.

Please bring the following to class:

• HB Pencils
• Rubber
• Black fine line pen
• Ruler
• Pencil sharpener
• Watercolours, coloured markers, and colouring pencils to experiment. This is optional.
• A4 Canson or Acid-free paper sketchbook (optional)

*Please note that we require a minimum of 5 participants for the course to proceed.