The Art of Fashion Illustration

Job: 10-42056 Title: RP - Art of Fashion Illustration

DTP: LY Page: 90

42056 - Art of Fashion Illustration_int.indd 90 10/31/14 4:25 PM 42056 - Art

Text

”

“

Stockholm, Sweden

VIVID AND ELEGANT:

STINA PERSSON

Stina Persson may be one of the most well-respected and widely known female illustrators. She

works in many mediums and her techniques include drawing, painting, collage, and—when

necessary—the computer. “I draw a gazillion sketches and then choose the best one to work

on,” she notes. “I love working with color and it comes to me easily, which is why I do lots of

watercolor. Of course, I also love the rawness and edginess of ink, as well as the structural feel

of collage.”

Develop a personal style and

seek inspiration not from other

illustrators but fine artists.

Stina Persson studied Åne art and fashion in Italy. While studying fashion design and

“feeling like a misÅt,” her drawing teacher suggested illustration. Luckily, for the art

and fashion world she followed his advice, moved to New Aork, and studied illustration.

It took time for Persson to be successful, but a teacher at the renowned Pratt Institute

in Brooklyn prepared her, explaining that it takes three years until work comes in stead-

ily—and when it happened more quickly, she was thrilled.

Job: 10-42056 Title: RP - Art of Fashion Illustration

DTP: LY Page: 90

42056 - Art of Fashion Illustration_int.indd 90 10/31/14 3:26 PM 42056 - Art

u

stration

P

age: 90

/14 4:25 PM

Job: 10-42056 Title: RP - Art of Fashion Illustration

DTP: LY Page: 91

42056 - Art of Fashion Illustration_int.indd 91 10/31/14 4:25 PM

u

stration

P

age: 90

/14 3:26 PM

91

THE ART OF FASHION ILLUSTRATION | PART 2: THE ICONS

Text

Blonde “This was originally made

for the online gallery Wonderwall,

but they ended up choosing a diٺer-

ent piece,” Persson says. “I had been

listening to a lot of ’80s music and

was inspired by the drama and the

absence of irony. This piece reÆects

how I think: bold, big, wide, and a

bit over the top. I used thick brushes

and the wrong end of the brush for

the thin lines. The color in the top is

pieces of red acetate.”

Job: 10-42056 Title: RP - Art of Fashion Illustration

DTP: LY Page: 91

42056 - Art of Fashion Illustration_int.indd 91 10/31/14 3:26 PM

Job: 10-42056 Title: RP - Art of Fashion Illustration

DTP: LY Page: 92

42056 - Art of Fashion Illustration_int.indd 92 10/31/14 4:25 PM 42056 - Art

Text

InÛmences

Although her own style is unique and has

been called a fusion of traditional and edgy,

introducing a modern look to illustration,

Persson counts her friends and colleagues

Sara Singh, Tina Berning, and Cecilia Carl-

stedt, and eminent masters such as Antonio

Lopez, Renu Gruau, and Paul Rand as

inÆuences.

She notes that the Åeld of illustration is a

lot bigger than people might think. “Most

of my clients don’t come from the fashion

world, but just want illustrations with Æair

and a contemporary look,” she says. Over

the years Persson has worked with top

magazines Vogue Nippon, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle

UK, and Marie Claire, and corporate retailers

American Eagle OutÅtters, Bloomingdale’s,

and Macy’s.

Good Advice

“Take any job you can get. But never work

for nothing. A client will never pay for some-

thing they earlier got for free, no matter

what they promise,” she says. “Develop a

personal style and seek inspiration not from

other illustrators but Åne artists.”

Bearskin Hat A piece for Reebok Brazil. “They

wanted a set of illustrations in a Renu Gruau style.

It was a really fun and creative process.”

Job: 10-42056 Title: RP - Art of Fashion Illustration

DTP: LY Page: 92

42056 - Art of Fashion Illustration_int.indd 92 10/31/14 3:26 PM 42056 - Art

u

stration

P

age: 92

/14 4:25 PM

Job: 10-42056 Title: RP - Art of Fashion Illustration

DTP: LY Page: 93

42056 - Art of Fashion Illustration_int.indd 93 10/31/14 4:25 PM

u

stration

P

age: 92

/14 3:26 PM

93

THE ART OF FASHION ILLUSTRATION | PART 2: THE ICONS

Text

Ava One of twenty-Åve pieces Persson created for

her New Aork show Perfectly Flawed. “This is as

much a portrait of a boldly printed tunic as it is of

a woman. All pieces in the show were originals.”

Job: 10-42056 Title: RP - Art of Fashion Illustration

DTP: LY Page: 93

42056 - Art of Fashion Illustration_int.indd 93 10/31/14 3:26 PM