Monday, March 18, 2013

COMMISSIONED


ONE STYLE AT A TIME

Happy Monday, loves!
For this post in the
COMMISSIONED
series, I thought I'd share with you
a recent custom fashion illustration commission
created for Maria of the superb fashion blog:
One Style At A Time.
If you're a fan of fashion and not yet familiar with Maria,
I know you'll love One Style At A Time.
Maria is very fashion savvy,
so it's  perfect that she lives
in the fashion capital of the world,
New York City.

The new illustration made it's debut
on One Style At A Time this last weekend
when the blog celebrated it's
oh-so-fashionable two-year anniversary ...
congratulations, Maria!

THE ILLUSTRATION
When Maria contacted me for a commission,
we discussed a variety of options and poses
for her fashion illustration that she wished to use as
her new blog header and avi.
With a "sitting at her desk" pose selected,
we quickly moved on to the other details that
she wished to see in her illustration.
This is always such a fun part when clients
choose what they'd like to see created ...
sort of like shopping!
I asked Maria to send me photos of herself,
as well as a list of the items she would like included
 (and photos of those items if she had them),
and also what she would like to be wearing in the illustration.
Some of the items Maria chose were:
a glam mirrored desk, pink peonies,
a classic black Chanel 2.55 handbag,
a Hermes Birkin bag at her feet,
fashion books on her desk
and a french chandelier.

Once I received all the info,
it was time for sketching to begin ...
and once a first rough sketch was completed,
it was e-mailed to Maria for approval.
I've grouped together some of the images
of the fashion illustration of Maria
from first sketch of her face (upper left)
and complete rough pencil sketch (just below it)
to steps along the way after painting had begun ...


When I had completed the Birkin bag and its contents,
 I e-mailed Maria and included a little tease as an attachment.
It was a sneak-peek of the Birkin bag
I was placing at her feet in the illustration.
Her bag was filled with the March 2013 issue of Vogue
(the month and year of her two year blog anniversary).
You may be able to just make out a little of the face
of Beyonce on the cover of the issue ...

I also added a chic silk scarf peeking out
over the side of the bag ...
here's the attachment Maria received ....




Ahhhh, Birkin ...
so much fun ...
I'm such a tease, I know.

For an illustration such as this one,
I often paint with layers of gouache and acrylics.
It's essentially a painting as I would do on canvas,
but for an illustration, the painting is created on illustration board
so that it can be scanned when complete
and placed in electronic file format to be e-mailed
to the client.

Soooooo ...
when the illustration was complete,
it was e-mailed to Maria ...

And below is the illustration
as it appears on Maria's header ...
she found the perfect font to embellish it!


Here's the link to
One Style At A Time
so you can see it in person ...
thanks, Maria, it was so much fun!
Now ...
what are we going to create for your
three-year anniversary, I wonder? lol

Have a wonderful week, everyone!
Thanks so much for joining me!
See you Wednesday!

OOH LA FROU FROU
is the blog of illustrator
SANDY M

To custom illustration inquiries,
drop Sandy a note here.

Issue photo:
Vogue Magazine

8 comments:

Ivana said...

Sandy, this is perfection! I know I already told so on Twitter, but this is pure glamour to me! There is everything I love in this picture: glamorous illustrations, inspiring magazines, swoon-worthy bags (I mean, Chanel? Birkin? I'm fainting as I type this :) I would LOVE to work with you in the future Sandy!

Have a fantastic week, love!

xx Ivana

Macarons and Pearls

A Very Sweet Blog said...

You did a fabulous job Sandy! I love it. The details are truly exquisite. Maria is such a doll. I love her blog. Definitely will check her blog today to see the new layout. Have a great week :D

Fashion-isha said...

I love it! Thanks for sharing your amazing talent with us! I hope you have a wonderful Monday!
xo
Sharon

Debra said...

I am more inpressed with each new illustration you share. My sister & husband are both artists and I understand the amount of work & dedication involved. This is really amazing Sandy! I NEED to own a piece of your work some day. :) xo

Debra@stylewisebydebra.com

VM Creation Atelier said...

Oh,my.....HOW fantastic is your work!!!

I like this style to draw and SOoooooo cute way to style blog for Maria!:-)*

Wish you great,creative week ahead,
Hugs from Amsterdam,
***Violetta***

Unknown said...

Dearest Sandy,

I am over the moon with your post right now! To be able to see this process of my drawing from beginning to end in all its layers is so fascinating. I knew I was in the right hands when I asked you to produce a Fashion Illustration. Thank you for this amazing final result. I absolutely look forward to working with you in the near future for more projects. Thank you for making my 2nd blog anniversary even more special! I appreciate the blog mention as well. Cheers!

XOXO

Maria

Unknown said...

Fabulous Sandy...I saw your brilliant work on Maria's blog...LOVE the bag too ;-)
Have a great week.
xx

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Another gorgeous illustration Sandy! I love it when we get a little peek into your creative process and what I appreciate most is your keen eye for detail. This looks fabulous on Maria's blog.

Have a fantastic week! Thanks for always taking the time to drop by :)

Rowena @ rolala loves