Fashion illustration refers to the art of presenting fashion ideas in a visual form. Also known as fashion sketching, fashion illustration involves painting, and drawing, a vital skill for fashion designers to brainstorm their ideas digitally or on paper. It makes it easier for them to visualize and preview designs before commencing the sewing job.
To be well-versed with this skill, you must consider enrolling in fashion illustration classes. On the web, there is a host of courses available. So, from the options, we found the top 11 best courses.
We scoured the web looking for the top fashion illustration courses and handpicked these 11 best online fashion illustration courses by comparing them in the following disciplines:
- Course offerings
- Instructor’s background and knowledge
- Fees
- Rating and reviews
11 Best Fashion Illustration Courses
- Basic Fashion Illustration – [Udemy]
- Intro to Fashion Illustration -Beginners- Fashion Design – [Udemy]
- Fashion Drawing Course from Beginner to Advanced – [Udemy]
- Intro to Fashion Illustration – [Udemy]
- Advanced Fashion Illustration – [Udemy]
- Online Fashion Illustration Classes – [Skillshare]
- Fashion Sketch Illustration – [Domestika]
- Fashion Illustration – [Made Institute]
- Online Illustration Courses – [Joanna Baker]
- Fashion Illustration Online Short Course – [London College of Fashion]
- Learn The Basics And Business Of Fashion Illustration – [Rongrong]
Top 11 Online Classes For Fashion Illustration
1. Basic Fashion Illustration – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.4 |
| Who should take this course? | This course is for:
|
| Enrolled | 4,727 students |
| Duration | 2.5 hours of on-demand video |
| Instructor | Wanwisa Rianrungrueng |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Cons | Since this online fashion illustration course targets beginners, it should be a little more detailed. |
This class is a summary of a 4-month course in a regular fashion school. So, by enrolling in this session, you will shorten your learning process and save time and money.
The instructor shares his experience and knowledge acquired over the years via this class in the most straightforward manner.
It is one of the best courses as the instructor is very responsive and offers feedback on your sketches. Across the class, you can download all the vital material from the available resources.
Learning Outcomes
In these fashion illustration classes online, you will learn the following:
- Fashion illustration basics for beginner to intermediate level
- Drawing fashion figures using a basic understanding of the 9-head proportion, body elements from head to toe, movement, and posture
- Knowledge and techniques to draw the body elements and various fashion poses
- Learning the difference and proportions between children, male, and female figures
- Drawing garments on the posing figures
Prerequisites
It is a beginner-friendly class. So, for this you need:
- No special skill set
- No prior knowledge
Hence, anyone interested in fashion drawing will benefit from the class.
Review Yeoh See H.
Is a great course to learn drawing body figure and posture. and throughout the course, my drawing gets more smooth and faster compare to the when I just started this course drawing stiffly !
2. Intro to Fashion Illustration -Beginners- Fashion Design – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.7 |
| Who should take this course? | It is one of the best online fashion illustration courses for:
|
| Enrolled | 1,747 students |
| Duration | 4 hours of on-demand video |
| Instructor | Alexe perron |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Cons | The instructor could include more practical exercises and activities in these classes. |
These fashion illustration classes take you through the basics and intermediate techniques associated with fashion illustration. You will also learn several techniques and media to build stylized illustrations.
An excellent thing about these classes is that the instructor provides feedback on your illustrations across the session. The instructor will also provide you with a PDF listing all the brands and materials used in the course and the books recommended by them.
Learning Outcomes
In this fashion illustration course, you will learn the following:
- 9 head croquis fashion figure
- Shading with marker
- How to use them and create a reference mood board on Pinterest
- The proportion of the body (for fashion illustration)
- Drawing garments
- Experimenting with a media to achieve different looks or to create fabrics texture
- Drawing body in different proportions
- Understanding the body and clothing from a photography
- Illustrating textures (Patterned fabric/ Transparent fabric/ Tartan/ Wool)
- Designing finished illustration
- Creating textures with unusual tools
- Illustrating and styling a face with watercolor
- Drawing your silhouette in various positions
- Drawing techniques for body features (lips, nose, eyes, facial shapes, face, hand, feet)
- Terminology of clothing shapes
- Drawing ruffles and pleats
- Drawing a face
- Platforms to use for fashion reference
Prerequisites
For these fashion illustration classes online, you need:
- Markers
- Paper and pencil
- Eraser
- Wood Color Pencil
- White maker
- Watercolor
- Ruler
Review Yolanda I.
The explanation is very clear, detailed and very helpful for me.
3. Fashion Drawing Course from Beginner to Advanced – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.3 |
| Who should take this course? | These online classes for fashion illustration will benefit:
|
| Enrolled | 291 students |
| Duration | 137 hours of on-demand video |
| Instructor | Start Now Fashion |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Cons | It is one of the most comprehensive courses, but there is some fluff in the class that adds to the length. |
It is a comprehensive course with videos, homework, application files, and a vast Q n A section presented by the Start Now Fashion team comprising academicians and designers.
Overall, it is one of the best online fashion illustration courses that match the knowledge you need to be well-versed in the design process. Once you finish these classes, you will have a beautiful portfolio and a participation certificate.
Learning Outcomes
In this fashion illustration course, you will learn the following:
- Using charcoal pen
- Shading on geometric shapes, and ribbon drawing
- 12 different hairstyle drawings
- Painting three skin colors with marker pens and colored pencils
- Fashion illustrations based on bird and leopard themes
- Familiarity with technical drawing section
- These fashion illustration classes will teach you about applying technical drawing details to create basics such as skirts, blouses, jackets, pants, and dresses
- Drawing fashion figures
- Drawing designs for skirts, dresses, trousers and jackets
- Creating the leather, satin, lace, chiffon, velvet, and fringe fabrics
- Drawing fabrics like denim, knitwear, and fur
- Designing a collection that depicts the fashion taste of urban women with a passion for nature and adventure
- Making technical drawing and coloring with colored pencils and markers
- Creating an entire patterned collection from dresses to tunics, pants, and shirts by transferring the safari theme to fashion illustration
- Creating Moodboard
- Building a Fabric and Color Palette
- Knowing how to make artistic fashion illustrations with Adobe Photoshop and Procreate programs
Prerequisites
For this online fashion illustration course, you require basic computer skills.
Review Karthika P.
Very good course which covers all the topics in fashion. I highly recommand this course.
4. Intro to Fashion Illustration – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.6 |
| Who should take this course? | These classes are meant for:
|
| Enrolled | 1,928 students |
| Duration | 1 hour of on-demand video |
| Instructor | Elena Fay |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Cons | The instructor should mandatorily include how to draw clothes and crocus. |
In this session, you will learn by doing. Several easy and fun exercises can help you create beautiful and interesting poses.
Learning Outcomes
In these fashion illustration classes online, you will discover the following:
- Basics of fashion illustration
- Starting a fashion illustration by drawing fashion proportions
- Draw a fashion figure
- Learning to draw a face
- Creating beautiful fashion illustrations with watercolor and ink
- Applying fun and easy exercises that help you build dynamic poses
- Drawing from the side view of the head
- Making fun sketches inspired by street style and fashion trends
Prerequisites
For this online fashion illustration course, you require:
- Sakura Micron Ink Pen
- Paper- Fabriano Watercolor Paper
- Da Vinci Watercolor Brush
- Porcelain Palette
- Mijello Mission Gold Watercolors
- Pentel Brush Pen
You can also use your favorite art supplies.
Review Luis G.
I really enjoyed this course, I love how Elena goes into the details and and explain well the technique. For a total beginner as myself it was very useful.
5. Advanced Fashion Illustration – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.1 |
| Who should take this course? | It is one of the best fashion illustration classes online for:
1. Students 2. Designers 3. Those interested in fashion illustration 4. People preparing to enroll in a fashion school |
| Enrolled | 1,016 students |
| Duration | 4 hours of on-demand video |
| Instructor | Wanwisa Rianrungrueng |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Cons | In some places, it gets hard to comprehend what the instructor says. Also, there is a problem with the subtitles. |
Do you wish to get better or do a fashion drawing? Are you interested in illustrating your ideas and inspiration stylishly? So, we have another online fashion illustration course by Udemy for you. It is a 28-lecture class where you study with Wanwisa.
If you do not have a fundamental understanding, you can take her 1st-course comprising – Basic Fashion Illustration guide. She teaches you how to draw fashionable poses and figures in those lessons.
It is a build-up on that class and has a fine mix of theories, information, and ideas, along with experience and knowledge to help amplify your skills in illustrations and sketches.
Taking these two classes will give you well-rounded information without spending a lot of money. It is a self-paced, 100% online course. So, you can take it at your time and schedule to amplify your skill set.
Learning Outcomes
These fashion illustration classes will help you learn the following:
- Techniques and information to understand the shading theory
- Working on the model face and figure
- Using the color wheel along with color definition and combination
- Theory of light and shade, Color wheel, Color scheme
- Information on different kinds of fabrics and materials
- How to render the skin tone and how to illustrate ten fashion looks with colored pencils and markers
- Using watercolor pencils & markers to produce ten fashion looks
- Basic knowledge of fabrics and materials
Prerequisites
For this online fashion illustration course, you will need:
- Familiarity with basic fashion foundation
- Knowledge of drawing the nine-head figure
Review Anasuya S.
It was a really nice experience , thanks a lot .
6. Online Fashion Illustration Training – [Skillshare]
Skillshare is one of the top platforms to avail fashion illustration classes online. They have a vast line-up of some of the courses presented to you by renowned universities and professionals. Thus, you are guaranteed the quality of their classes.
They have both paid and free courses. You can browse through their available listing to make an informed choice. Most of the classes by Skillshare are self-paced. However, you can also find a few instructor-led sessions.
You can enjoy the former at your time and schedule, while the latter will follow a fixed regime. All of their top-rated courses come with hands-on exercises to help you learn by doing.
Some of the top fashion illustration training programs on Skillshare are:
- Fun With Figures: Create a Stylised Character With Confidence
- Hummingbird Inspired Evening Dress Design
- Start Drawing: 3 Fun, Freeing Exercises to Spark Your Creativity
7. Fashion Sketch Illustration – [Domestika]
| Level | Beginner |
| Who should take this course? | It is one of the best online fashion illustration courses for:
|
| Duration | 13 lessons (2h 11m) |
| Instructor | Carol Gomide |
| Self-paced | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Only for Pro or Pro Plus members |
| Language | Portuguese with subtitles in Portuguese, Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, Polish, Dutch |
Women’s fashion is a combined effort that brings professionals from different sectors and combines the best of history and art in their exclusive collection.
In these classes, you will study with Carol Gomide, who channels her passion for the creative industry via her brand, Depois das Quatro, specializing in showcasing outfits from renowned designers.
So, if that is what you hope to learn, you can enroll in these fashion illustration classes to produce one-of-a-kind sketches with your style and personality.
Learning Outcomes
In this online fashion illustration course, you will learn the following:
- Basic illustration concepts
- Different materials you need to create a sketch collection
- Adding shape, color, and texture to the women’s fashion collection by combining manual and digital design techniques
- Showcasing the human figure and its proportions
- Creation of the sketch at an early stage and creative elements
- Making women’s clothing
- Familiarity with the hair and skin and color in your designs
- What to do with your illustration
- Learning where to find references for your project
- Making a color palette for your sketches
- Sketching the clothing for your collection
- Adding light and shadows to your illustrations
- Giving finishing touches to your collection
- Tips on how to photograph your work and share it on social media
- Alternative uses for your custom sketches
- Making a portfolio
- Turning illustrations into prints for other products
- Working on the course project – Designing a fashion collection with three illustrated sketches.
Prerequisites
If you want to create digital illustrations, you should have a working knowledge of the program you plan on using. In addition, for these fashion illustration classes online, you also need materials and supplies like a pencil, paper, a ruler, and an eraser.
Carol also employs an iPad with Procreate in this class. However, you have the freedom to pick the program you like best.
8. Fashion Illustration – [Made Institute]
Made Institute is home to several fashion illustration e-courses, you will learn everything you need to know to bring your designs to life.
Made provides classes for fashion illustration with 90-day access. So, you can take them at your time and pace while you enjoy a top-notch caliber of education Made is known for.
In addition, with their fashion illustration classes, Made also offers LIVE office hours weekly so students can meet the expert instructors, create top-class work, and ask their doubts.
You can choose from their offerings, but we recommend you take the below-listed offerings in sequence for a comprehensive understanding. These two fashion illustration courses are:
- Fashion Illustration 1: The Fashion Figure
- Fashion Illustration 2: Fabric Rendering
9. Online Illustration Courses – [Joanna Baker]
Joanna Baker is also one of the pro instructors offering some of the internet’s best online fashion illustration courses. She adopts the step-by-step learning method across all her classes. It makes it easier for the learners to learn better.
Her classes are full of her favorite strategies and techniques for rendering fashion illustrations. With her online classes, she nudges you to get all your beautiful ideas and designs out of your head and onto paper.
Every fashion illustration course here guarantees good knowledge and skills to design your artwork confidently and practice and work towards building your illustration style.
You can find several fashion illustration classes online from Joanna. But, a few of our personal favorites include:
- Getting Started With Brush Markers – Mini Course
- Fashion Illustration with Marker Rendering for Beginners
- Fashion Illustration: How to Render Jewels
But do not take our word! You can explore their other offerings too, and then make your pick.
10. Fashion Illustration Online Short Course – [London College of Fashion]
| Levels | All levels |
| Duration | 6 weeks |
| Time | 18:00 – 20:00 (UK Time) |
| Location | Online |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
In this fashion illustration course, you will study with a professional illustrator who will assist you in finding your visual language and unveiling your creativity via drawing from concept to completion. Across the length of these fashion illustration classes, you will meet your instructor online every week.
In addition, you will also collaborate with a small group of students who study the same course as you. The instructor will give you ample exercises to practice what you learn. You can also share your work in the online meet-ups for feedback and discussion.
There are also tutorials and practice assignments to help you execute your new ideas, concepts, and designs in this class. All their short sessions come with Access to VLE with course content, two weeks of online access, and Forums for support.
Learning Outcomes
It is the best fashion illustration course to learn:
- New fashion illustration techniques
- Gathering inspiration for work
- How some great illustrators work
- How to work with several mediums like ink, markers, watercolors, crayons and pastels, collage, digital and mixed media
- Drawing with confidence
- Creating your personalized drawing style
- Illustrating the human body
- Drawing fashion clothes and garments
- Incorporating structured composition into your designs
- Using your creativity to create original designs
- Conventional and new media techniques
- Critiquing your work and others within the group
Who should take this class?
It is an excellent class and will benefit:
- Creative individuals
- Aspiring illustrators hoping to increase their current portfolio
- People seeking to find expression through another medium
- Fashion designers who want to develop their sketching and illustrating skills
However, if you are well-versed with illustrations, you may want to skip this fashion illustration course.
11. Learn The Basics And Business Of Fashion Illustration – [Rongrong]
Now we are on the last listing in our fashion illustration classes. It is a self-paced online course comprising four hours of jam-packed knowledge from Rongrong DeVoe, the world-leading professional fashion artist.
This class offers lifetime access to PDF templates, seven video tutorials, and resources (tools, book recommendations, practice sheets, figure templates, and more) that the instructor has not ever shared with anyone in her over eight years of experience.
Once you finish this class, you can confidently draw for pleasure and (or) monetize your skills.
Learning Outcomes
In this fashion illustration course, you will learn the following:
- How to draw inspiring fashion portraits to make money with your art
- Coloring illustrations using Copic markers
- Creating female bodies
- Drawing the body angles
- Drawing the face of various ethnicities
- Practicing and growing your illustration skills
- Making exquisite patterns on different fabrics & textures, such as sequins, leather, quilting, leopard print, and more!
- Editing using the iPad Pro or Photoshop
- How to make a living, even thriving as an artist
Who should take this class?
These fashion illustration classes will benefit:
- Anyone interested in fashion illustration, unaware of how and where to start
- People who wish to draw a fashion sketch from ideas in your inspiration
- Someone with some background in drawing, wishing to expand or sharpen their skills
- Creative or a graphic designer wanting to provide fashion illustration or custom portraits as a new service in your business
Related: Top Sewing Courses Online | T-shirt Design Classes| Quilting Courses Online
Conclusion
So, these are the internet’s top 11 best online fashion illustration courses. They are all equally good and offer something unique for learners. But, one course that we recommend for all is the Fashion Drawing Course from Beginner to Advanced – [Udemy]. It is a detailed class to learn everything step-by-step from scratch.
