The Croquis Template for Fashion Illustrators

How to Draw the Fashion Figure for Dress Design Illustration

A guide on how to sketch the fashion form for those who wish to present their dress designs in a portfolio.

Having fantastic ideas for dress designs is no good if the artist fails to come to grips with the proportions of the fashion figure. With such guesswork, the fashion design sketch is unlikely to impress.

The Fashion Croquis

The Beginners Guide to Drawing the Fashion Form

The idealized figure, upon which, fashion illustrators drape their dress designs on, is also known as a “croquis.” The word “croquis” comes from the French word, meaning, “to sketch.”

Drawing the Idealized Human Form Made Simple

The croquis is a means of communicating fashion concepts via an idealized fashion form. This form, which can be made into male or female, measures nine to ten heads high. A normal human, measures seven to eight heads high. The legs are elongated for effect, but the proportions between the head and crotch, retains realism with the human form.

How to Sketch the Fashion Form Step-by-step

Fashion Croquis Skeleton

The proportions of the fashion figure are easy to remember and the instructions easy to follow, but practice will make perfect.

Draw a straight line for the central axis of the figure.

Divide the line into nine equal segments.

Number each line from one to ten. See Fig.

The Croquis Head and Torso

Draw an inverted egg shape for the head within the top segment.

Draw the shoulder line halfway between lines two and three.

Make the shoulder line two head lengths wide and center it on the axis.

The Lower Abdomen and Crotch

For the waist, draw a line at line fours.

Make the waist one head length wide and center it on the axis.

Form an inverted triangle by bringing it to just below line five.

The Arms

Drape the upper arms (shoulder to elbow) from shoulder to waist.

Bring the lower arms (elbow to wrist) from the waist to the crotch.

The hands are three-quarters the head in length. Attach to the wrists so that they drape half way down the thigh.

The Legs and Feet

Bring each leg from the edge of the lower triangle to line ten.

The knees should be at line seven.

The feet should be half a head in length as viewed from the front.

Fleshing out the Fashion Figure

Adding the curvy contours around the skeleton of the fashion form requires a little practice. Studying fashion figures in magazines with improve the drawing technique. This will help acquire a feel for this final process.

Masculinity can be suggested by slightly broader shoulders and a little narrowing of the hips. The facial features will be more angular than the female features. Facial features should remain simplistic and suggestive, but could provide a signature to the individual artist.

Postures of the Fashion Form Sketch

Arms and legs can be pivoted to suggest different postures, and the proportions will be retained, for example, standing legs akimbo, or legs apart. The angle of the shoulders and the hips can be angled to suggest jauntiness. However, the proportions will not apply if there is any foreshortening effect, for example if any of the limbs are pointing towards or away from the viewer.

The Perfect Fashion Design Figure for Dress Designs

The croquis is an idealized version of the human figure that is not a realistic version of the human form. The exaggerated proportions serve as a suitable blank canvas onto which a fashion illustrator may demonstrate their fashion concepts. Becoming familiar with the proportions and in drawing the fashion form, the designer will enhance the appearance of their portfolio and increase their chances of being commissioned within the fashion industry.