An Illustrated Fashion Blog by Angie Réhe

Not going to lie, it *might* have escaped my attention that the Fashion Illustration Bootcamp is bang on Mother’s Day, rather than a week after it like I thought.. So apologies to the people who aren’t able to make it because of that – massive DOH on my part.

However, I’ve decided to make lemonade and offer a bring-your-mum or bring-your-offspring deal of half price for the bring-along. What better way to spend a Mother’s Day? I’ve had many mother/child attendees before and it’s a lovely thing to see, and to know they can then go home and draw together!

Bookings and full info about the Bootcamp here.

I started running my own small fashion illustration classes here in Melbourne in 2010, launching them at the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival that year. Until the pandemic etc I had run them continuously since then. These days face-to-face classes are thin on the ground as my regular venue no longer exists, and I am working on the mega of all mega fully online fashion illustration course. Phew!

So this Fashion Illustration Bootcamp workshop, which is a one-day comprehensive introduction to fashion illustration class, is one not to miss as it will be a while before it happens again.

I am running it in a fabulous temporary venue called MicroLabs, in Bourke street Melbourne, the same venue I used for the McQueen workshop in April. This Bootcamp is designed for either complete beginners or those with experience wanting to brush up. It will go from figure proportions and pose structure through to catwalk walking figures and media technique with copic markers and colour pencils. It’s a lot, and it’s fabulous! You can see the full information or book a spot here. Why don’t you!

Yes! Finally an in-person fashion illustration class again! The issue of an ongoing venue for in-person fashion illustration classes is still an issue, but I have found a brilliant temporary answer, so just in time before the “Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse” exhibition closes at the NGV International on April 16th, I am able to run the workshop I have been planning in my head for about 6 months! (Full information here)

This full-day (or half day if you skip the gallery) workshop will take inspiration from McQueen’s legendary “Widows of Culloden” collection from Autumn Winter 2006/7, and is open to all levels, from beginners upwards. 

This collection was hailed as a presentation that would “go down as one of fashion’s all-time highs” (Sarah Mower, Vogue March 3, 2006). Drawing on his Scottish heritage, he responded to it emotionally and creatively, expressing his thoughts about the treatment of Scotland throughout history to the present, while also creating a romantic but austere collection that demonstrated attention to detail and craftsmanship of the highest standards.

The emotions embedded in the exquisite designs provide the secret ingredient that makes for fabulous illustrations – the Widows of Culloden collection is one of my all-time favourite collections to illustrate.

Beginning at the NGV International, we will have a brief discussion about sketching on-location, then make our way through the exhibition “Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse”, stopping to sketch key looks.

Then, filled with inspiration we’ll grab some lunch then jump on a tram down to Bourke st and begin our workshop.

We’ll learn specifically about this collection then make two artworks featuring looks from it.

Mixed media including collage, ink, watercolour, and pastels will be combined in the spirit of McQueen – no rules, plenty of experimentation and manipulation of materials, and attention to detail.

We will look at figure/pose analysis and drawing faces, so for the less experienced, you will be in safe hands.

All workshop materials including paper will be provided, you just need to bring paint brushes for watercolour and ink, and a cutting knife if you have one (I will have some to share if not). Please also bring a small sketchbook of your choice (I suggest A4) and a greylead pencil for sketching in the gallery. More information will be provided closer to the date.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

• Learn about the life and work of Alexander McQueen – his inspirations and background. In particular learn about what is considered to be his most personal collection “Widows of Culloden” – Autumn-Winter 2006/7
• How to capture the spirit of this collection and translate it into artworks for dramatic effect.
• Learn or refresh your knowledge about fashion illustration principles including figure structure and capture.
• How to draw faces.
• How to illustrate tartan and checks, along with other fabrics.
• Sketching freehand, using observational and stylizing techniques.
• Experimental techniques with Indian ink and watercolour, and how to combine collage and mixed media, including the potentially messy pastels. Expect needles, thread, glue!

WHAT YOU WILL GET:

• A ticket to the exhibition “Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse” at the NGV International. (Unless you opt out.)
• Pictures and notes to take home.
• All materials supplied including paper (you just need paint brushes).
• Inspiration, knowledge about McQueen, fashion, and fashion illustration.
• Artworks to be proud of.
• Snacks and good vibes.

SKILL LEVEL: This fashion illustration class is open to all levels including beginners – the small group accommodates all levels.

CLASS SIZE: Maximum 12 people – size matters at The Drawing Salon!

When: Sunday 2^nd April 10am – 5pm

Where: Morning: NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Workshop 1pm – 5pm: Micro Labs, 227-229 Bourke Street Melbourne.

Price: $220 includes entry to “Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse” at the NGV, and all workshop materials. *You can opt out of the exhibition viewing or purchase your own ticket, this option is $190. (Meet up with us wherever it suits.)

*I recommend booking ASAP as I will purchase the exhibition tickets only as bookings are made, as there is no refund on tickets from the NGV, and as the exhibition closes on April 16^th, those last weeks will book out. For this reason, refunds will not include the $30 ticket price once purchased, but you will get the ticket!

BOOKINGS AND MORE INFO HERE:

Ah Alessandro, it took me a while to adjust my eye from the glam sexiness of Tom Ford, but once I got there I was THERE. Recent news of Alessandro’s departure from Gucci made me sad, but selfishly, for myself, because he is one of the few designers I can guarantee when I take a first look at a new collection, I know there will be endless things I want to draw. That is rare. 

In celebration of his time at Gucci, I’ve released a small selection of four sketches as fine art prints, in A4 and A3 sizes – perfect for Xmas! And, if you buy two from the set there is a 15% discount, and if you buy 3 or more of the set the discount increases to 25%! You heard it here first…Well actually second (Instagram)…

You can see more or snap one up here. Use codes TAKE2 or TAKE34 for your discount at checkout. You’re welcome.

I’m still riding the brandy train since my voice is yet to recover from a week of laryngitis – explain that if you will, grrr. So in the spirit of making lemonade, I bring to Fri-yay drinks another brandy (or preferably, cognac) cocktail. Meet the Sidecar!

Did you know one of the legends about the birth of the Sidecar has it set at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris in the 1910s, mixed up by a patron who arrived in a motorcycle sidecar? True that. Well maybe anyway, I like it enough.

How to do it:

This one’s going to take you: 5 mins

It’s going to make you: 1 drink

You’ll need to have:

• 3 tbsp cognac (or brandy, Armagnac, or bourbon
• 1tbsp triple sec (such as Cointreau)
• 3 tsp fresh lemon juice
• Lemon or orange twist, for garnish 

You’ll need to do:

1. Get your shit together
2. If you like the glass with a rim of sugar do that now by wetting around the rim with citrus juice, dip or roll it in the sugar, shake of excess and allow to dry and chill before pouring the drink.
3. Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes and shake well.
4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
5. Garnish with a lemon or orange twist

And in keeping with tradition, I give you variations of my Sidecar illustration that I could not decide between – santé!

This week’s Fri-yay cocktail comes to you courtesy of laryngitis, so the Sidecar was bumped to next week and enter the Hot Toddy – a cocktail I love drinking as much for its name as its taste – so saucy! Not just saucy but my favourite type of saucy – simple & saucy. Cos I like my cocktails simple, like my men.

This one’s going to take you: 5 mins-ish

It’s going to make you: 1 drink

You’ll need to have:

• 3 tbsp brandy (or whisky or bourbon if you prefer)
• 1tbsp honey
• 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
• 1 slice and 1 generous squeeze of lemon (appx 2tsp)
• ½ cup hot water

You’ll need to do:

1. Heat the water
2. While the water is heating, put brandy, honey, and lemon juice in your choice of glass/mug.
3. Pour in the hot water and stir to dissolve honey
4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick (in the glass)
5. Serve hot, cos no-one likes a cold Toddy.

Being Friday and all, it’s cocktail o’ clock at Chez Patsyfox. So, I thought I’d start a brand-new, instant-classic tradition and share some of my favourite cocktails with you. Illustrated pour vous, naturally. Fashion be damned, one of my favourite things to do is to illustrate cocktails – draw ’em, then drink ’em. Santé!

This one’s going to take you: 5 mins

It’s going to make you: 1 drink

You’ll need to have:

• 1(ish)measure Gin
• 150ml Cranberry Juice
• 10ml Lemon Juice
• Ice Cubes
• Fresh Cranberries
• Mint Leaves

You’ll need to do:

1. Fill your glass of choice with ice cubes
2. Add gin and lemon juice.
3. Top with cranberry juice and stir.
4. Taste and tweak
5. Garnish with fresh cranberries and mint leaves.
6. Drink.
7. Repeat steps 1-6

Did I mention I love a variation on an illustration? I have edited this down to 3 but there were many. So how about this one?

Or of course there’s…

Cocktail illustrations by Angie Réhe, obvs.

If you’re down with the structural work that underpins fashion illustration (or not!) then you may like the Exploring Media / Intermediate Fashion Illustration live online course, because it picks up where that left off.

While taking bodies and faces to new angles and positions, it explores media techniques of indian ink and watercolour paints to create artistic images, and then uses them to create specific effects of textiles such as fur, shine, and patterns. In four sessions! Yes! Skills can then be taken in a purely emotive art direction, or utilised for visualising fashion collections. The art and fashion worlds are your oysters.

I currently have a special deal on for people who may wish to spend an entire Sunday drawing (who wouldn’t!) – if you would like to do both this course and the Drawing Architecture and Streetscapes course, then the second course is half price. Half! Just use I’LLHAVEHALF at checkout for the second course.

You can check out some of the demonstration drawings from this course below, and book/see more info here.

It’s taken me a while, and when I say “a while” I mean several years, to finally respond to the requests for me to create a course all about drawing buildings, streetscapes, and architecture. But it is here!

It started as travel sketchbook sketches which begat my first commercial job illustrating key locations around the Melbourne CBD, which begat more freelance commissions…you get it. Don’t tell anyone, but I kind of just a little bit like drawing all these buildings etc more than fashion…kind of.

This is a four week LIVE online drawing course, which means we do it in real time and I’m right in there with you and your drawings, giving feedback as you go, and doing demonstrations which you get to see with a perfect bird’s eye perspective. Nothing not to love. And did I mention you can do it from anywhere in the world? Even your bed, if that’s how you roll.

If you’d like to learn more you’ll get a pretty good idea by looking below, or you can check out the full package on the website. Olé!