Traditional Fashion Illustration
This blog category dubbed, Traditional Fashion Illustration, reflects my deep and unending interest in illustrating folk costumes. This includes cultural patterns, handmade jewellery and native accessories. In this section, you will find drawings of “thobes,” robes and amulets from the Levant, the Middle East, North Africa and the Mediterranean. You will also find illustrations of people wearing vibrant outfits, headdresses and textiles from Italy as well as the fascinating Indian subcontinent, among other cultures.
Traditional Folk Costume Illustrations from the Levant, the Mediterranean, and Beyond
My interest in traditional fashion illustration started a long time ago. As a matter of fact, I am frequently inspired by my small collection of antique Bedouin and Levantine silver jewellery, gemstones and beads. I even have a few traditional clothing pieces from the Middle East and North Africa that I treasure so much, including family heirlooms handed down to me from my late grandmothers. Marvelling at the details has always given me a renewed appreciation for the craftsmanship and hard work behind these pieces. A few years ago, this prompted me to illustrate some of my traditional silver jewellery from Jordan, Algeria and the Levant, a challenge that proved to be worth the effort. Creating detailed illustrated interpretations of various jewellery techniques, such as “filigree” and “niello,” has proven to be a skill I am quite in tune with. The same goes for depicting traditional textiles and old-fashioned footwear from my region, and beyond.
Illustration Materials and Art Supplies
Due to the nature of detail in traditional costumes and jewellery, I prefer to create my cultural illustrations in ink pens and fineliners. Art supplies with fine point nibs, like certain brands of alcohol markers, are also useful in depicting vibrant motifs and patterns found in traditional fashion items. I have also found that I can achieve some level of detail using a fine “liner” watercolour brush. Moreover, now-a-days I use digital brushes in Procreate and/or Affinity to mimic the look of ink pens and dip pens to finish my artworks.