July 2016 Fashion Illustration

Hello lovelies,

Its July and I've got something a little different. Didn't think I'll be able to get an illustration ready this month and considered a throwback illustration but was finally able to make out to make out time for this cute number. 

About this illustration . . .   I planned to illustrate and old sketch but ended up tweaking it and it ended up being something different. I designed the blue print with the aide of the Photoshop brush tool. And something I really love about this illustration is how the shades and highlights came out on the blue print. When I was done, I almost didn't want to part with it, but, here it is. A friend named her 'Halle' after the actress, Halle Berry so say hello to Halle, my July girl. From Halle and I, have a July as great as you.

Which Nigerian or foreign celebrity do you think can rock this look?  

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April 2016 Fashion Illustration

Hello lovelies,

Don't crucify me, please. I know I didn't follow up on my monthly illustrations but I'm determined to work hard on being more consistent. Keyword being DETERMINED. No guarantees. ;) 

To some behind-the-scenes, the 'enter' key on my laptop is not working :(

The few people that know me well know that I love being corporate. But this is Nigeria and we love our African print and love being in our native skirt, blouse and headtie, and so I challenged myself to come up with more native style designs and this is one of the first native designs I sketched.

Now, to this month's illustration; I worked with someone briefly last year and she spent a lot of time trying to make me feel like I didn’t know what I was doing. So, this illustration is pretty much my reply. Hehehe. Beyond that, this piece is inspired by the Nigerian Aso ebi trend.

What is the Aso ebi trend? First of all, Aso ebi literally means family cloth but can also be described as a fabric available for family and friends for an event. The event can be a family introduction, wedding, naming ceremony, thanksgiving, apprenticeship freedom etc. Now, why do I call it a trend? Because there's almost always an event every other weekend, and sometimes weekday, that gets people buying and sewing an outfit either as a family member or friend of the family and possibly a friend of a friend of the family. LOL.

The Aso ebi trend doesn't end with just adorning oneself but goes further because it gives some a sense of belonging; it's sometimes a ticket to getting souvenirs at the end of the day. 

I would like to thank Lawrence, Busayo, Temitayo and Ezra for their help with this write up.

Without further ado, here's the April 2016 fashion illustration. 

Just Fashion Illustration- September 2014

Hello Beautiful People,

I enjoyed working on this very much. Once again, the hair was a bit of a challenge but loved how it turned out at the end of the day. And adding the bling factor to the ring did put a smile on my face.

Just Fashion Illustrations- August 2014

Hello Beautiful People!

I realized that its been over a year since I actually took out the time to make illustrations. Most times, I either make rough sketches of designs or start out and never finish and eventually, I started feeling like I was forgetting how to draw. I mean, imagine not getting the right curves and postures when drawing by hand and then trying to remember the use of a certain menu on photoshop? Oh, yes, before I forget, my illustrations are finished with the aid of photoshop, but hey, its not because I'm lazy, I just don't have refills for my caran d'ache pencils and letraset markers . Search, search and search again, sorry peeps, I cant seem to find the very first sketch which I did by hand before scanning and finishing on photoshop but here is . . .is . . . my Egyptian Inspired Design welcoming you to the wonderful month of August.