The Brides are Coming

The weather here in NYC this past week has been absolutely gorgeous. With spring coming and many emails popping up asking about my custom bridal drawings (here) I know wedding season is just around the corner. So I've decided while I have a little free time to illustrate a fresh batch of brides and design a print for the shop with all of them. These three ladies are a little sneak preview.

I hope you have a fabulous weekend and don't forget to enter my giveaway by leaving a comment in the post below for your chance to win one of 3 Project360 bracelets.

Tuesday Tip: Lips

This week I want to get specific with you and focus on one feature, the mouth. There are many different ways to draw a mouth; smiling, smirking or even frowning. I'm going to show you my standard go-to perfect pout. Once you master this it's easy to play around and try variations.

1-Start by drawing a circle. Then draw one line through then center horizontally and another vertically.

2-Mark the sides and center with slightly darker "dashes" and begin drawing the contour of the mouth.

3-Lightly erase all the lines. (Once you add marker you cannot erase, the marker sets it into the paper.) Just leave the faint pencil lines so you can still see where to apply color.

4-Add a second coat of marker to the entire top lip and very bottom edge of the bottom lip. Then with your dark pencil lightly outline and add shadows in the center middle, center bottom, and sides.

Something important to keep in mind when drawing the mouth is the top lip is ALWAYS darker because its in shadow. Look in the mirror or some photos and blur your eyes and you'll instantly see it. Above is an example of the "perfect pout" on Audrey from my etsy shop. (Dylan, Vogue and Mystie all sport a variation of this mouth as well.)

For now this is the last tuesday tip. It was only set up as a four week series, but I do promise to resume it again sometime in the future. Thank you though for all the positive feedback! Happy sketching!

The Best Gifts Come in Small Packages

I guess it’s like “they” say, maybe the best gifts do come in small packages. At last weeks Oscar's gifting suite I offered a wide variety of products from my shop including 8”x10” and 5”x7” prints of my fashion illustrations, poster prints, notebooks, bookmarks, magnets, and some gift certificates for custom illustrations.

To my surprise the most popular items were the bookmarks and magnets. The celeb’s were loving them and they went fast. If you’d like to have one too you can purchase them from my shop. The bookmarks can be found by clicking here and the magnets here.

Do I sound like an infomercial? I’m sorry, but they really were the fave’s of the day so I thought I’d share!

Illustrator: Steven Broadway

Meet another one of my college professors from my FIT days, Steven Broadway. I thought it was time I shared another example of the talent I was exposed to and got to learn from. You've already "met" Renaldo Barnette (here and here), and I've recommended (here) Steven Stiplemans book to every aspiring illustrator that contacts me! This is the work of fashion illustration professor, Steven Broadway. Fabulous, right! He has not only worked as a designer and illustrator in fashion, but in costume design as well.

Back when I had him as a professor he had just completed illustrations for the movie Zoolander! You can check out his website (here) if you would like to see more of his portfolio. A sketch I did while in his model drawing class was actually up in my Etsy shop until recently. (It's now sold out, but you can see it here.)

On another note, I have to apologize to you. Something exciting came up two days ago and I've been crazy busy. I'm actually off to LA in a few hours. I know my "Tuesday Tips" have been a big hit, but I'm going to have to skip this week. Maybe next week I'll give you a double dose to make up for it!

Makeover Monday

It all started with Audrey (previous post here) and now my Vogue girl has gotten a makeover. I love her, she's one my very first illustrations for Etsy, and I use her for all my promotional materials, branding and logo's but I thought she needed some work (a facelift of sorts!) So I've given her some new pretty pale green eyes and pouty pink lips.

But she's not the only one. My mom emailed me a few weeks ago suggesting I redraw Global Girl, so being the always obedient daughter (yeah right) here she is. I do admit she was getting a little tired looking, so I've spruced her up a bit and, given her some pockets because I love a dress with pockets, and a more polished overall look.

Here are links to all the new and improved ladies in my shop: Vogue II, Audrey II, Audrey II Lacey, and Global Girl. The original ladies are still up in the shop and on sale for half off. I will be retiring them in 2 weeks. Here's my shop sale section if your interested in owning the illustrations that got Brooklit started.

New to my shop: Magnets

I love trying my girls out on new products. In an effort to make my fridge a little more fashionable I've taken some of my favorite illustrations and had them printed on magnets with the same pretty pink ombre background as my shop and blog header. I added them to the shop, and you can check out the listing here. I think the ladies really compliment the photo of my grandparents vacationing in Miami back in 1946. =)

Showerific

As if getting packages in the mail wasn't exciting enough, its ten times more so when it's a surprise package you weren't expecting! I came home to find a box at my door from River Cottage Farm. At first glance I thought maybe I had ordered something from etsy late night and forgotten about it (which does happen on occasion), but when I picked up the box I instantly knew some sweet handmade body products were awaiting me because the return label had my fancy farmgirl sketch on it! As do all the yummy shower scrubs, sugar cubes and lip balms that were inside. It's such a thrill to see my illustrations on actual products, and amazingly smelling ones are even better. Here's an old post about working on this project.

New & Improved Audrey

Nearly 3 years ago I opened my etsy shop with sketches including Audrey and Vogue. I have since steadily been drawing illustrations specifically to sell in my shop as art prints, cards, tags, and bookmarks. And although Audrey has been one of my top sellers I've improved my techniques since I drew her. (If I do say so myself.)

I re-drew Vogue for my twitter page and logo and now I've decided to re-draw Audrey, a new and improved Audrey if you will. I started off by simply re-drawing her, but then thought I'd add a lace applique. Once I started I couldn't stop! I first tried one band, then covered the entire skirt, then decided maybe the top could use some as well. (I scanned her after each addition in case I hated the outcome.) I'm not sure which one to choose for the shop. As you know I'm the queen of procrastination when it comes to decisions for myself!

I'm leaning towards the last one, with all the lace, maybe leave the all white dress for the original Audrey. . .But then again I like the one with the single band of lace as well. We shall see. I'll let you when I list the new Audrey and new Vogue, until then a bunch of my "oldies" are on sale, get em till they're all gone.

New Years Already?!?!

I'd like to send a big bloggin thank you to all of you; my new readers, clients, and friends! Starting this blog was very intimidating, since I've never felt that I was that strong of a writer, but it's been a fantastic process. Thank you for all your support, comments, questions and encouragement. It's been a bit of a tough year but I hope that 2010 is filled with lots of creativity, love and success!

Pictured above are Thank You cards that a made a few months ago when I was obsessing over my lined ladies (remember this post). I didn't get around to adding them to the shop until today... Perhaps one of my New Years resolutions should be to stop procrastinating so much! (Here is the set above and here is a variety pack)

Thanks again everyone and I hope you all have a FABULOUS new year!

My Mini Makeover

I don't know if this is an issue for all creative and artist types, but I have a major problem committing to a look, but only when tackling myself and my own brand. When I'd work on projects for clients or particular brands its never a problem to pin point the brand identity, develop the brand esthetic and create mood boards, products, or art direction. Somehow though when its for myself I'm the queen of indecisiveness.

I'm not sure if this is definitely the look I'm going to stick with, and I hate the idea of changing it again, but enough is enough and I need to at least try this out. So as I'm sure you've noticed my blog has gotten a little face-lift with a new header. Now the blog visually matches my facebook fan page logo, twitter page, etsy shop banner (above), and business cards (shown below.)

I'm toying with changing my blog name, and making my brand more cohesive. (I love Fabulous Doodles, and feel it captures what my blog and my illustrations are all about. Fabulous being a staple in fashion lingo and doodles meaning cute sketches. Although my illustrations are more than casual doodles.) My email is also FabulousDoodles@gmail.com but maybe everything should be called Brooklit like my etsy shop or maybe I should just use my full name, as I do on my facebook fan page.

Oy, I just don't know. Sorry for the rant, I just thought I'd share my little dilemma here with you. Please comment or email me any feedback you may have, I'd appreciate the input. :)

Happy Holidays

Just wanted to wish everyone happy holidays!

(With my "shopping girls" I drew for this years now sold out gift tags!)

New to my shop: New Bookmarks

As I've mentioned here before I'm a pretty big reader and one thing that I feel really compliments a great book, besides a bubble bath of corse, is a great bookmark. I've been trying to add more budget friendly items to my shop. Times are tough and not everyone can splurge on print, so I've been trying to come up with ways to get "my girls" out there without the double digit price tag. First I added mini prints to the shop, and people seem to like those, so now I've added some more bookmarks.

The new bookmarks are available in sets of three; They're Back, and my favorite Blondes, as well as individually.

Secret Weapons

Every so often I receive an email asking what art supplies I use and which brands I prefer. I answer all emails and try to be as specific as possible, but I thought maybe it was time I blogged about it. Maybe your interested and just haven't asked me, and if not, at least in the future I can just refer inquiring minds to this post. So without further ado here are the top products I absolutely could not live without. (As far as illustrating for my etsy shop goes! If we're talking desert island or beauty essentials that's a different post for a different blog! ;)

First and foremost are the Prismacolor pencils in cool gray 90%. I use this pencil on EVERY single illustration. Black can be too harsh, especially when outlining the figures and drawing facial details. These pencils (I pluralize that because I usually have anywhere from two to ten of them on my desk at one time) are an essential must have, at least for this fashion illustrator. It's my finishing touch tool, that I outline with, add the facial details, and all the clothing seams and trims.

Brush-tip markers are next. Sometimes people are surprised that my illustrations are all created with markers and pencil. I'm pretty sure the reason for this because of the amazing watercolor and painterly effect of the brush tip markers. With a brush tip marker you can create a multitude of effects to render fabrics, hair, and skin.

There are two brands that I use. One is the Copic Sketch double ended marker (shown above.) One side is a broad and blunt 1/4" slanted marker tip, and the other side is saturated brush tip. These markers are definitely on the pricey side at $6.99 each, but once I started using them (just a few years ago) I was hooked. I have every value of warm and cool grays for all my bridal illustrations as well as about 8 skin tone options. And of corse all the colors I use for clothing, shoes and accessories.

The second brand of brush-tip marker I use are the Staedtler Mars Graphic 3000's. They are also double ended, but with these one end is a fine tip and the other is the brush. I've been using these to render hair ever since my college days and feel that they're really the secret to my success behind some of my most popular fashion illustrations like Vogue, Hostess, and Lily.

The last "secret weapon" I'd like to share with you is probably the biggest surprise as I do not use it for what it's designed to be used for. Drum roll please...Its a white out pen! No, I do not use the white out pen to fix any corrections in my artwork. The white out pen is used for all my sequins, beading, pearls, and sometimes as that little sparkle in the eyes. The way to pull off the beading or sequin effect correctly is to first create a shadow for the beads or pearls with a black dot made with a Sharpie marker. (I love the new retractable Sharpies that are offered now.) Then you dot over the black with the white out pen and viola, you have your glitz and glam! You can check out Allie's necklace, Carrie's dress (a sequin leopard print fabric) or Kabuki's beaded gown to see the final result.

I hope you enjoyed this little trip into my tool box! Now maybe you'll look at fashion illustration a little differently!?!?

(The adorable pink scissor print paper is a purchase from the Martha Stewart Craft Sale!)

New to my shop: Holiday Cards & Tags

I'm a little late on this one, being that we're into December already, but I've finally sketched some new holiday illustrations, put them on cards and tags, and added them to my shop. The ladies are each toting wrapped presents and gift bags in varying patterns. (I love illustrating wild prints and patterns! I'm always amazed how authentic patterns like zebra, leopard, and plaid come out when you take the time to render them properly. I usually steer clear loud prints and patterns when it comes to clothing, so it's great to add them on gifts, bags, and accessories.) When choosing colors I made them holiday neutral so they could be used for Chanukah, Christmas, birthdays, or any gift giving occasion.

Handmade Holidays

The holiday shopping season is upon us and with that comes mailboxes full of catalogues, mass emails with discount codes, and big box store promotions. I wanted to write this little post to urge you to buy handmade. Not only will you be supporting artists and your community, but you will also be getting and giving something special, made with heart.

I've scoured Etsy and put together my own little gift guide of handmade treasures. Some of the sellers are personal favorites of mine that I've purchased from before and others are simply on my wish list...To my friends and family, I'd be trilled to receive any of these handcrafted pieces! ;)

Top: Gold ring with cz $68, Cherokee feather necklace $14, Heart balloon art plaque $45

Bottom: 14k Gold initial necklace $26.50, Small gold bowl $18, Kailana bangle bracelet $9.50

Top: Pair of engraved glasses $15, Gemstone sterling ring $68, Wall chalkboard decal $28

Bottom: Baby porcupine print $25, YSL enamel earrings $25, Lump of coal soap $5.50

Top: Porcelain pillow $22, Artist pocket mirror $4, Porcelain fortune cookie $9.5o

Bottom: Clay penguin pencil box $7, Sterling silver scissor necklace $24

Holiday Sale!

For the first time since I've had my etsy shop I've decided to have a store wide sale. I'm offering free shipping for the long weekend. Starting today, black friday all the way through cyber monday. Weather your a neighbor in New York or on the opposite side of the globe in Australia, shipping is free on all items including; illustration prints, tags, cards, mini prints, notebooks and bookmarks.

I've also added more prints to the sale section of my shop, available for only $14 a print. That's 30% off the regular price. Happy shopping!

All photo's are items available in my shop.

New to my shop: Lined Ladies Tags

As promised I turned my "Lined Ladies" into gift tags and have added them here, in my shop. Just in time for holiday shopping (and gift wrapping)! I love these little doodle illustrations, and think the tags came out super cute. I just may have to use these on all my gifts this year. I'm kind of obsessed with them at the moment.

Fancy Farmgirl

About two months ago I was contacted by the lovely Charity from the River Cottage Farm out in Ohio to create a "farmgirl" illustration for her new line of bath and body products. Charity asked that the illustration be a very girly and fancy farmgirl, who brings style to her homestead. Charity's vision included a country floral print, pearls, flat shoes (because farming in heels just doesn't work) and a chicken!

The River Cottage Farm online etsy shop is now open, complete with my farmgirl on all the labels and packaging. Not only do the products look cute, but they're made by scratch on the farm and packed with natural and organic ingredients. I love a good body scrub and can't wait to try the lip balms. Now for the big decision of which flavor to chose.

All photos by River Cottage Farm

Retail Therapy: Sterling Hoops

For YEARS I've been searching for these hoops. I first noticed them on Halle Berry. They must be favorites of hers because she's been photographed wearing them everywhere from the grocery store to the red carpet. What's so cool about them is that they have a post behind them so the hoop sits on your ear lobe and doesn't go through it. I love the graphic look of them and that they're a twist on a classic. It suddenly occurred to me to check Etsy for them, and voila there they were! India y la Luna's etsy shop is where I was able to finally find my hoops, made of sterling silver, and hand crafted by Gaby in Argentina, making them all the more fabulous...That and the fact that I traded some of my prints in exchange for them! Thanks Gaby, I love them!

New Products in my Shop

Manhattan now has a Michaels Arts and Crafts Supply. As if it couldn't get any better it's located in my hood, on the upper west side! This may not be ground breaking news to others but for this crafter, it's HUGE. I will no longer have to figure out how to finagle friends with a car to stop in with me when we're coming or going from the long island outlets or a friends party. And I'll no longer have to run through the store with the pressure of knowing someone's waiting for me. (Because I much prefer to shop alone, especially when it comes to my arts and crafts supplies.) Yes, I'm a crafting nerd, and I know!

So here's the first, of what will most likely be many, new products to be added to my shop. I bought these two notebooks and with the power of twin tak (one of the all time best art products created) have added my Global Girl and Vogue Ready prints to the zebra and houndstooth wrapped covers.

I've also added a few more gift tag listings and hope to add more products categories soon for the fast approaching holiday season.