All illustrations by Jacqueline Bissett
For fashion illustrator Jacqueline Bissett, her work always starts with a point of reference. She says that ‘even when I’m given a detailed brief, I still look at many, many pictures to inspire me’. She likens her process to putting together a jigsaw where she takes a pose from one place, the angle of a face from another, the flick of the hair from somewhere else and then combines it in her own distinctive way. Searching for inspiration is a big part of her working process.
So that you can share in her process, here are Jacqueline’s six top tips for gathering inspiration:
1. When looking at magazines, remember that beautiful photos don’t always make good illustrations. Look for pictures that have something more than just beauty in them. Look for the interesting detail.
2. If you’re collecting tear sheets, then look for specific details like a the way a model is holding a bag or the direction of her eyes. These distinct elements will be really useful for future illustrations.
3. Don’t just look at photos for the model, look at the way that colours have been used or the way that the shoot has been styled or the make-up trends. All of these will help your illustrations.
4. Get outside. Great inspiration is all around you. Jacqueline is a keen clubber and so takes a lot of inspiration from the club scene. Take photos and add them to your file.
5. Keep on top of your filing. Jacqueline admits that she’s not a fan of filing, but she tries to keep her collection of images organised. She has a separate file for different angles, positions, expressions etc so that when she’s looking for something specific she can always find it. Jacqueline also keeps a selection of images on mood boards around her studio. She likes to be surrounded by pictures to inspire her.
6. Bring your own interests to your illustrations. Jacqueline says that bringing what you love to your work will help depict your own style, help you stay interested in your illustrations and ultimately mean that you create something unique. Whatever you’re passionate about outside illustration will add depth and beauty to your drawings.
If you’d like more insight and technical teaching from Jacqueline, together with her personal feedback, take a free trial of her online Fashion Illustration course with Mastered here.
