Here’s my hot take: I’ve never loved the 9-heads croquis. Don’t get me wrong, I can illustrate a figure this way if you ask me to, but coming from a technical design background, prioritizing aesthetics over accuracy in a drawing meant to be a communication tool has never made sense to me.

Ok, rant over! I’m really proud of this fashion illustration style I’ve developed during my time as a custom bridal designer. I’ve found the more true-to-life the sketches look, the more aligned my clients expectations are with the final result, and the easier it is to make decisions up front.

I start with photos of my client and sketch with a Wacom tablet and pen in Photoshop. Not the quickest form of sketching, but the way it’s changed my process - from how I approach pattern and fit, to how quickly my clients are able to make decisions, speaks volumes.