Drawing sleeves can be one of the trickiest tasks when it comes to fashion illustration, but not if you know the right tricks! There are a few simple steps that you can follow to make your sleeve sketches look super polished in no time. Whether it’s a billowing bell sleeve, a classic puff sleeve, a dramatic dolman, or a modern raglan – let us show you how to get it right.
Getting Started
Before you start sketching sleeves, make sure you have the perfect foundation for your fashion illustration by using a light box, a pencil and a ruler. This will give you the space to draw your sleeve from scratch, leaving room for any adjustments you need to make.
Marker Magic
Begin the drawing process by using your ruler and a black marker to create the outline of your sleeve. Use the ruler to draw a line from the shoulder of your garment to the hem, then draw a curved line for the circumference of the sleeve. This curve should either be a gentle ‘S’ shape or an elongated ‘C’ shape, depending on the style of sleeve you’re illustrating.
Texture Time
Once you’ve created the base of your sleeve, it’s time to add texture. Use a soft pencil to draw directional lines running in the same direction as the sleeve shape. This will give your sleeve a realistic look as well as help to create the illusion of volume. When you’ve finished drawing your lines, erase any lines that overlap in a way that subtly accentuates the shape of the sleeve.
Drawing Details
The devil’s in the details, and this is where you make your illustration stand out! Draw any details your sleeve has, such as pleats, gathering, shirring, bishop sleeves, and cuffs. Make sure you draw these details in the same direction as the texture lines you created in the previous step.
Shading Counters
No fashion illustration is complete without shading! Use a pencil to shade the underside of the sleeve, starting from the shoulder down to the hem. Make sure your shading follows the curve of the sleeve, shortening the shading line as you reach the cuff. The result will be an eye-catching 3D effect that brings your sleeve illustration to the next level.
Choosing Colors
Once you’ve perfected your line drawing, it’s time to add some color. Blending markers to get the perfect hue can be time consuming, so we recommend using watercolor pencils to get the job done faster. Follow the same principle you used for shading to get an even color spread.
Adding Accessories
No sleeve is complete without the perfect accessories! Use colored pencils or markers to add little details, like buttons, embroidery and tassels. These tiny touches will make your sleeve come alive, so have some fun and go wild with your accessories!
Finishing Touches
Once you’ve put the final touches on your sleeve illustration, you’re ready to show it off to the world. Hang it up in your studio, display it on social media, or send it to a client – the possibilities are endless!
Puff Sleeves
Puff sleeves are one of the most alluring styles of sleeve because of their classic and timeless look. To start your puff sleeve illustration, draw a straight line from the shoulder of your garment down to the cuff before adding a curved line above the cuff that circles around the arm. This will form the ‘puff’ of the sleeve. Next, draw texture lines from the shoulder to the hem to add a bit of volume. To finish off, use shading to bring out the 3D effect and don’t forget to add a few accessories for an extra-special look.
Flared Sleeves
Flared sleeves, also known as bell sleeves, are all the rage right now, and mastering the art of drawing this style can give your fashion illustrations a modern touch. Start by drawing a curved line starting from the shoulder and ending at the cuffs. Then add a second, slightly wider curved line that goes from the cuff to the hem, creating another line in between these two curved lines. To create the illusion of volume, draw texture lines on both sides of the sleeve, then use shading to bring out the depth. Finally, add a few accessory details for a beautiful finishing look.
Bishop Sleeves
For a sleeve that stands out from the crowd, draw a bishop sleeve! Start by drawing a straight line from the shoulder to the cuff before adding an arching line from the cuff to the hem. This arching line forms the signature bishop sleeve shape and makes the sleeve look more dramatic. Draw texture lines to add volume and texture, then shade the underside of the sleeve starting from the shoulder to the hem. Lastly, use colored markers and/or pencils to add accessories of your choice.
Raglan Sleeves
The raglan sleeve is a timeless style suited for both men and women. To create the raglan sleeve effect, draw a straight line starting from the shoulder, diagonally downwards towards the cuff. The sleeve should split into two sections – a section at the front and a section at the back. Draw texture lines on each of the sections before shading the underside of the sleeve. Finally, add some accessory details for a modern, edgy look.
Getting Started
Before you start sketching sleeves, make sure you have the perfect foundation for your fashion illustration by using a light box, a pencil and a ruler. This will give you the space to draw your sleeve from scratch, leaving room for any adjustments you need to make.
Marker Magic
Begin the drawing process by using your ruler and a black marker to create the outline of your sleeve. Use the ruler to draw a line from the shoulder of your garment to the hem, then draw a curved line for the circumference of the sleeve. This curve should either be a gentle ‘S’ shape or an elongated ‘C’ shape, depending on the style of sleeve you’re illustrating.
Texture Time
Once you’ve created the base of your sleeve, it’s time to add texture. Use a soft pencil to draw directional lines running in the same direction as the sleeve shape. This will give your sleeve a realistic look as well as help to create the illusion of volume. When you’ve finished drawing your lines, erase any lines that overlap in a way that subtly accentuates the shape of the sleeve.
Drawing Details
The devil’s in the details, and this is where you make your illustration stand out! Draw any details your sleeve has, such as pleats, gathering, shirring, bishop sleeves, and cuffs. Make sure you draw these details in the same direction as the texture lines you created in the previous step.
Shading Counters
No fashion illustration is complete without shading! Use a pencil to shade the underside of the sleeve, starting from the shoulder down to the hem. Make sure your shading follows the curve of the sleeve, shortening the shading line as you reach the cuff. The result will be an eye-catching 3D effect that brings your sleeve illustration to the next level.
Choosing Colors
Once you’ve perfected your line drawing, it’s time to add some color. Blending markers to get the perfect hue can be time consuming, so we recommend using watercolor pencils to get the job done faster. Follow the same principle you used for shading to get an even color spread.
Adding Accessories
No sleeve is complete without the perfect accessories! Use colored pencils or markers to add little details, like buttons, embroidery and tassels. These tiny touches will make your sleeve come alive, so have some fun and go wild with your accessories!
Finishing Touches
Once you’ve put the final touches on your sleeve illustration, you’re ready to show it off to the world. Hang it up in your studio, display it on social media, or send it to a client – the possibilities are endless!
Puff Sleeves
Puff sleeves are one of the most alluring styles of sleeve because of their classic and timeless look. To start your puff sleeve illustration, draw a straight line from the shoulder of your garment down to the cuff before adding a curved line above the cuff that circles around the arm. This will form the ‘puff’ of the sleeve. Next, draw texture lines from the shoulder to the hem to add a bit of volume. To finish off, use shading to bring out the 3D effect and don’t forget to add a few accessories for an extra-special look.
Flared Sleeves
Flared sleeves, also known as bell sleeves, are all the rage right now, and mastering the art of drawing this style can give your fashion illustrations a modern touch. Start by drawing a curved line starting from the shoulder and ending at the cuffs. Then add a second, slightly wider curved line that goes from the cuff to the hem, creating another line in between these two curved lines. To create the illusion of volume, draw texture lines on both sides of the sleeve, then use shading to bring out the depth. Finally, add a few accessory details for a beautiful finishing look.
Bishop Sleeves
For a sleeve that stands out from the crowd, draw a bishop sleeve! Start by drawing a straight line from the shoulder to the cuff before adding an arching line from the cuff to the hem. This arching line forms the signature bishop sleeve shape and makes the sleeve look more dramatic. Draw texture lines to add volume and texture, then shade the underside of the sleeve starting from the shoulder to the hem. Lastly, use colored markers and/or pencils to add accessories of your choice.
Raglan Sleeves
The raglan sleeve is a timeless style suited for both men and women. To create the raglan sleeve effect, draw a straight line starting from the shoulder, diagonally downwards towards the cuff. The sleeve should split into two sections – a section at the front and a section at the back. Draw texture lines on each of the sections before shading the underside of the sleeve. Finally, add some accessory details for a modern, edgy look.
