Gwen: New Bride Print

Meet Gwen, the newest addition to Brooklit Bride, my shop of bridal fashion illustrations. A few short weeks ago I was introduced to Pinterest and have since dove right into finding inspiration for DYIs, my dream house, fashion looks I love and future sketch ideas. This one, is the first of what I hope will be many. I've named her Gwen.

I've never drawn a back view without showing at least a profile or turned face, but something about this photo inspired me to give it a try. I found this beautiful photo yesterday, "pinned it," then kept going back to it until I decided I had to try to draw her. I love the oversized knot, the luxurious big skirt, and her soft blond hair pulled off to the side.

After some backtracking and investigating I learned that the image is from London's leading couture bridal designer Phillipa Lepley. I wasn't familiar with her so its been a pleasure to poke around and read up on her and her breathtaking work. (Besides Lepleys site, you can read an interview with the designer here.)

Click here to purchase this print of my Gwen illustration, or here to follow me and my pins on my new favorite obsession, Pinterest. (Picture frame by Pottery Barn and wallpaper by Graham & Brown.)

Custom Illustrations: Sister Wedding Gift

Wedding season has arrived and for me that means the custom bridal illustration orders are rolling in.

(Bride Regan, gift from her sister Sam)

The bridal sketches I'm sharing today have a unique commonality, they were all commissioned to be wedding gifts from the brides sisters. (Well three sisters and one sister-in-law, but that counts right?)

(Bride Tracy, gift from her sister Christine)

In the past when not working directly with the bride, the most common person I was commissioned by was the groom. Since the first year anniversary gift is "paper," my custom bridal illustrations make an ideal gift for a new wife. But this year sisters seem to be ones showing their love with my custom bridal sketches.

(Bride Jessie, gift from her sister Rachel)

If your sister is getting married, or you would like a custom bridal illustration for yourself, you can check out the custom listings in my Etsy bridal shop, Brooklit Bride.

(Bride Danielle, gift from her sister-in-law Raegan)

And for a more detailed description of my whole custom bridal illustration process you can read this post from my blog archive.

(After posting this I noticed another commonality among these brides. Although they all have uniquely beautiful and different gowns, these sisters are all sporting a similar dress silhouette, the mermaid/trumpet! How funny.)

Designer Desktop

Can't afford to splurge on Manolos? Well I've found the next best thing. Stylist Magazine contacted top shoe designers to sketch some of their favorite designs for summer, then turned them into free downloadable desktop wallpapers!

You can personalize your computer with illustrations by designers including Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, or Sergio Rossi.

To dress up your computer simply click on over to the Stylist blog and you can download your favorite. I think I'm going with the wedge by Georgina Goodman for my Macbook. How about you?

She's a Sketch {Louise}

Living in Manhattan its hard to miss all the beautiful girls abound. Within the group, there are a select few that can only be described, at least to this fashion illustrator, as "A Sketch." Its girls who have that je ne sais quoi. A combination of the modelesque physique paired with a flawlessly chic fashion sense. Louise here, who I spotted on the roof-deck of the Met, is surely one of them!

Louise was kind enough to take a picture of my friend Sarah and I. As she was taking our photo I couldn't help but notice how adorable she was and asked if I could take a pic of her for my "she's a sketch" series here on Fabulous Doodles.

It was a brutally hot city day yet she looked so calm, cool and collected in her linen shorts, wrap tank, and ballet flats. I came home inspired by Louise (who told us she was from Holland!) and all the amazing pencil drawings I saw at the Metropolitan Museum that day that I decided to pick up my sketchbook and draw.

Click here for my previous She's a Sketch post.

New to the shop: Bride Note Cards

My bridal fashion illustrations are now a new set of note cards for Brooklit Bride. I picked five of my favorite bridal illustrations to create a lovely little variety pack of cards. The inside of the cards are blank so they can work for any wedding or bridal card need; engagements, showers, wedding, or thank you notes.

The brides are printed on thick card stock with a smooth satin coating on the front and back and an uncoated inside so its easy to write your message. I chose to pair the cards with light metallic silver envelopes to compliment the white gowns. For more details about these bridal cards, or to order your own set, check them out in my Brooklit Bride etsy shop here.

New to my Shop: Magnet

A new magnet has been added to my etsy shop. This new Brooklit Magnet features a small sampling of six of the most popular prints from my two etsy shops Brooklit and BrooklitBride. You can make your fridge a little more fashionable, and for only $2. (Click here to purchase.)