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?