Walter T. Foster - Fashion Illustration 1920–1950: Techniques and Examples

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In this book I show a number of proportions that can be used. You may choose the figure you like best and apply it to all other figures. My system is flexible and you may adjust it to meet your own needs.

In order to keep up with the fashions there should be a change every three months, but that would be impractical in a book. The dresses are suggested and the draping shown. You may use any current fashion magazine or create your own designs. It will be oi great value to know that the figure also changes.

The first figure book I published in 1920, the proportions were 7 to 8 heads to the ankle, 1 heads for the circles, elbows at 3 and the circles at 2 and 4, a much shorter figure. The fourth edition not quite a year old, the figures were 8 and 8 heads to the ankle, 1 heads for circle; elbows at 3 and the circles at 2 and 4, a fine figure for the short dresses. In this book, the fifth edition, you will find the proportions vary and the figures more slender and taller, to show the short waistline and long dresses to a better advantage. The elbows are above 3 heads in some figures.

See Direction Sheet

See Direction Sheet

To the teachers who are using my books in their school work Each student should practice blocking in with pencil through tissue until they memorize the proportions and formation, then practice inking in through tissue for clean cut lines. You will be surprised at the quick results you will have with the students.

Be sure that they do not make a hard, laborious job of tracing which will do them but little good. The strokes should be free and easy, with little or no attention given to the likeness.

This type of figure is quite easy to make and very effective in adverfising or for designing childrens dresses.

The Back of the heel extends to or in front of line of balance. If placed too far forward it will look like a shoe that has been worn for some time. So many artists make this mistake in drawing feet. Drawings made to sell shoes are drawn two or three times the size of the ones shown here, and the artist uses a ruling pen and a french curve to get the smooth lines.

See Direction Sheet

See Direction Sheet

See Direction Sheet