I went to Shoreditch high street and happened across the promotional event of Apothic Red Wine. Grabbed some pens and had some fashion illustration fun. As you do!!
The Fashion Blog by Maria Nicolette
Saturday, 11 June 2016
Tuesday, 3 May 2016
Grecian City Chic Collection: Byssinon Pinafore
My first collection incorporates black and white inspiration in the designs. Black leather for a dynamic look and white flow fabrics for a goddess look. Colours are then splashed across the designs to incorporate the vibrance of the Grecian Culture. This is a detailed remake from a selection of pinafores previously sketched. The design is being developed further and this is my work in progress over coffee today! Good Morning world! ♡♡♡♡
Friday, 29 April 2016
Wednesday, 6 April 2016
Fashion Illustrations: Meet My Muses the 'Chroma Girls'
Meet my 'Chroma Girls' #chromagirls
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| #chromagirls Pinky Bob and Cherry Bombre by +Maria Nicolette +Pretty Pink Pen Pusher |
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| #chromagirls Golden Girl and Blue Belle by +Maria Nicolette +Pretty Pink Pen Pusher |
As a budding fashion illustration artist I find that being in this field of work you do it for the love of art and your passion for fashion. The intense enjoyment of creating when you draw, when you cut paper for collages, when you practice and learn, far outweighs the effort, difficulties and barriers you can face. While tirelessly learning to become your best self, learning to refine your skills, and learning to use social media to spread the word about your work you realise 'It is worth it!'
In starting my adventure to learn about Fashion Illustration I have taken practical steps and put in a lot of practice every night to create illustrations I am happy to share with the world. At this tender stage of my learning curve I came up with my first illustrations of girls. The result my first collection of muses... I hope you like them too.
More to come so keep #following my blog!
Thursday, 17 March 2016
Take The Plunge: How To Start A Fashion Illustration Career
What Inspires Me
Everybody has their trademark in the creative world. All Top Fashion Illustrators have their unique style that makes them stand out. I will save comparing the style of Fashion Illustrations between my favourite artists for later - two of them being Megan Hess and Sunny Gu who could not be more different to each other!
I am new to Fashion Illustration although I have dreamed of becoming a Fashion Illustrator since I was a child. Like many before me, I too fell victim to subduing my inner creativity as I grew older. Now, in my 30's, I decided to revert back to the inspired child I used to be. I allowed my passion for fashion to take over my thoughts until I burst with the intense need to create!
Seeing the work of extremely talented Fashion Illustrators and feeling frustrated over the years that I wanted to be one too I decided to follow that dream. So I started researching the Fashion Illustration world. It will occur to you that you need a trademark for yourself, so my first step now is to find my very own fashion illustration style... the only way to do that is to pick up my trusty pink pen and my drawing pad and just get cracking.
Let Me Inspire You Too
Creativity is important not only if you plan to have a creative career but even if you don't. To develop better functionality in all aspects of your life you need to build happiness in your environment. And that starts from you! Adult drawing books are the first proof that creative play brings a calmer and happier disposition to you. Using creativity and giving yourself time to draw, knit, sew, paint or build something can truly change you as a person.
Through my blog I want to show you that you too can depart on a creative adventure at any point in time and follow your dreams. It can be done and I will prove it to you by taking action. That's all it takes.
I hope to use my story to inspire you whether you want to become a Fashion Illustrator or follow another dream that you never dared to follow before. I want you to see that if I can start from scratch having gone beyond the age of 30 (a lady never gives up her exact age!) then you can too no matter the age or circumstances. All you need to do is see a living example. If my journey helps you take one step towards your dreams then I know that I have successfully cracked the code: to help you overcome your fears, to help you build your confidence, and to help fill you with inspiration and motivation.
How I Got Started
The key to starting a career in Fashion Illustration - in any field you you have your heart set on - is to get the practical skills. I knew I lacked immensely in the most important aspects of Fashion Illustration: drawing silhouettes, using mixed media, getting CAD experience.
Each person learns differently and it is important to find the route that suits you best and focus on that to get there. Some like self-learning techniques, picking up a pen, finding information online and getting on with drawing. Others like to take a course from the comfort of their home, to have a structured studying technique and to get a certificate by the end of it. For me, I am the type that needs to be in a class environment with other people, to socialise, get out of the house, exchange ideas and be taught first hand by a teacher.
So, this week I applied to visit the London School of Contemporary Arts (LCCA) to learn about their Fashion Illustration Course. The excitement of taking my first step towards an unknown world made me feel like I was floating in limbo in a dream-like state - it was exhilarating!
I did a lot of research about available courses and one of the barriers to following my dream was simply money. I also fell into the trap of feeling that I could only succeed in following my dream if I went to the best place on earth. For me was the obvious choice - CSM.
What Happened Next
I decided that I am going to go back to school and become a student at London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA). 'This is really happening! ' I thought to myself. So I quickly started looking at ideas to release the creative energy that I had locked up for so long.
I came across the idea to make my very own basic collection - known as a Capsule Collection. Where better to start than my own twist on the fashion items that every woman should own in her wardrobe?
In my moment of enthusiasm, I picked up a pen and did the unfathomable (for me!); I took the plunge for once. I focused on channelling all my energy into finding and feeding off the bravery and impulsiveness of my child-like self. No thinking, no seeking perfection, no fearing failure. Just action.
The result is my first illustration of a Trench Coat design one piece of ready-to-wear clothing which is a definite wardrobe essential.
Fashion Illustration by Maria Nicolette Illustrator
The Mighty Pink Pen is my first step to drawing my way through school and to becoming the Fashion Illustrator I always dreamt of being. Hence, I started this blog 'Pretty Pink Pen Pusher'.
I extremely enjoyed doing my first fashion illustration and it certainly marks a proud beginning for me to work towards building my style and technique to another level. I imagine that as my fashion illustration portfolio matures my style will grow into something more concrete, more 'Me'.
Watch this space for more fashion illustrations and for more inspirational stories for you to follow your dreams too.
Wanting to follow a dream, feeling inspired to become a Fashion Illustrator too? Share your comments with me below. To all my readers, remember: Never Give Up!
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| Find your own fashion illustration drawing style: Illustrations by Megan Hess |
Everybody has their trademark in the creative world. All Top Fashion Illustrators have their unique style that makes them stand out. I will save comparing the style of Fashion Illustrations between my favourite artists for later - two of them being Megan Hess and Sunny Gu who could not be more different to each other!
I am new to Fashion Illustration although I have dreamed of becoming a Fashion Illustrator since I was a child. Like many before me, I too fell victim to subduing my inner creativity as I grew older. Now, in my 30's, I decided to revert back to the inspired child I used to be. I allowed my passion for fashion to take over my thoughts until I burst with the intense need to create!
Seeing the work of extremely talented Fashion Illustrators and feeling frustrated over the years that I wanted to be one too I decided to follow that dream. So I started researching the Fashion Illustration world. It will occur to you that you need a trademark for yourself, so my first step now is to find my very own fashion illustration style... the only way to do that is to pick up my trusty pink pen and my drawing pad and just get cracking.
Let Me Inspire You Too
 |
| Art Therapy: Creativity makes a 'happy you' even if you are not a creative professional Fashion Adult Colouring Book: The Liberty Colouring Book |
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| Passion for Fashion: Take every opportunity to practice by drawing and colouring fashion products and human body parts Fashion Adult Colouring Book: Remain inspired using My Fashion Colouring Book |
Creativity is important not only if you plan to have a creative career but even if you don't. To develop better functionality in all aspects of your life you need to build happiness in your environment. And that starts from you! Adult drawing books are the first proof that creative play brings a calmer and happier disposition to you. Using creativity and giving yourself time to draw, knit, sew, paint or build something can truly change you as a person.
Through my blog I want to show you that you too can depart on a creative adventure at any point in time and follow your dreams. It can be done and I will prove it to you by taking action. That's all it takes.
I hope to use my story to inspire you whether you want to become a Fashion Illustrator or follow another dream that you never dared to follow before. I want you to see that if I can start from scratch having gone beyond the age of 30 (a lady never gives up her exact age!) then you can too no matter the age or circumstances. All you need to do is see a living example. If my journey helps you take one step towards your dreams then I know that I have successfully cracked the code: to help you overcome your fears, to help you build your confidence, and to help fill you with inspiration and motivation.
How I Got Started
 |
| Follow The Best: Do your research and find out where to gain the best skills and get the best progression opportunities The Best in Fashion: CSM students - the winners of the Fred Perry Competition supporting the Amy Winehouse Foundation |
The key to starting a career in Fashion Illustration - in any field you you have your heart set on - is to get the practical skills. I knew I lacked immensely in the most important aspects of Fashion Illustration: drawing silhouettes, using mixed media, getting CAD experience.
Each person learns differently and it is important to find the route that suits you best and focus on that to get there. Some like self-learning techniques, picking up a pen, finding information online and getting on with drawing. Others like to take a course from the comfort of their home, to have a structured studying technique and to get a certificate by the end of it. For me, I am the type that needs to be in a class environment with other people, to socialise, get out of the house, exchange ideas and be taught first hand by a teacher.
So, this week I applied to visit the London School of Contemporary Arts (LCCA) to learn about their Fashion Illustration Course. The excitement of taking my first step towards an unknown world made me feel like I was floating in limbo in a dream-like state - it was exhilarating!
I did a lot of research about available courses and one of the barriers to following my dream was simply money. I also fell into the trap of feeling that I could only succeed in following my dream if I went to the best place on earth. For me was the obvious choice - CSM.
For those who don't know CSM is the Fashion World's shorthand for Central School of St Martin's. For a fun and humorous vocab on the fashion industry check out Rachel Hodin's article on Tought CatalogIt certainly quickly dawned on me that the cost for the short courses is just too prohibitive. I know, if you want to get the best you have to invest right? Well, yes and no. For your information, as my reader, my suggestion would be to just do any course which is as affordable and effective as possible to get those skills down. As a newby that's all you need. Beyond that your work will show you the route to where you want to be and if CSM becomes your ultimate goal then go for it but do it right: with an amazing set of skills and a cracking portfolio to back you up!
What Happened Next
 |
| Capsule Collection: A set of clothing items which are timeless and are an essential part to any woman's wardrobe. This consists of a pair of jeans, a pair of black trousers, a trench coat, a white blouse, a white t-shirt amongst other items. The Morning Lavender Capsule Collection |
I decided that I am going to go back to school and become a student at London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA). 'This is really happening! ' I thought to myself. So I quickly started looking at ideas to release the creative energy that I had locked up for so long.
I came across the idea to make my very own basic collection - known as a Capsule Collection. Where better to start than my own twist on the fashion items that every woman should own in her wardrobe?
In my moment of enthusiasm, I picked up a pen and did the unfathomable (for me!); I took the plunge for once. I focused on channelling all my energy into finding and feeding off the bravery and impulsiveness of my child-like self. No thinking, no seeking perfection, no fearing failure. Just action.
The result is my first illustration of a Trench Coat design one piece of ready-to-wear clothing which is a definite wardrobe essential.
The Mighty Pink Pen is my first step to drawing my way through school and to becoming the Fashion Illustrator I always dreamt of being. Hence, I started this blog 'Pretty Pink Pen Pusher'.
I extremely enjoyed doing my first fashion illustration and it certainly marks a proud beginning for me to work towards building my style and technique to another level. I imagine that as my fashion illustration portfolio matures my style will grow into something more concrete, more 'Me'.
Watch this space for more fashion illustrations and for more inspirational stories for you to follow your dreams too.
Wanting to follow a dream, feeling inspired to become a Fashion Illustrator too? Share your comments with me below. To all my readers, remember: Never Give Up!
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