 Kicked off New York Fashion week 2016, illustrating live at one of the lovely Triumph Hotel Locations, The Cosmo Tribeca. It was so great meeting NYFW guests, followers (one flew in from Toronto!) and lots of lovely ladies who came to get drawn! Each illustration had a custom NYC background with landmarks exclusive to that location.  Excited to be live illustrating at an additional 2 Triumph Hotel locations over Fashion Week, The Iroquois Hotel and Hotel Chandler.
Hope to see you there! xxx Laura  It was such a dream come true working with Net -A- Porter to illustrate three looks from Rachel Zoe's new capsule collection that launched on Net A Porter.com!  The illustration was placed on bags that were given out at the beautiful LA launch event! ( Photos Credit: Getty Images )  Rachel has always been such a role model and icon for me since I got into fashion, This was a true 'pinch me is this real' moment in my career! Here's another photo from the fab event! ( Photo Credit: Getty Images )
#DreamsComeTrue! To commission a custom illustration , custom portrait or to book live illustrating for your next fashion event , you can contact me here. xx Laura  It was such an honor to have my custom portraits spend brunch with bebe and their fabulous 'Bebe Babes'! Instead of place cards each gal had a custom portrait at her place. It was so great seeing all the photos shared on Instagram throughout the event today. Thank you all for sharing and your kind words! The photos are all linked to their rightful and talented owners!  #squadgoals #backtobebe ;)
{ For more information on how to order custom portraits or for live booking you can contact me here } xxx Laura  I had such a fabulous morning illustrating live for Call It Spring to celebrate the launch of their 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' collection. The morning tea party was held at the fabulous Lady Mendl's Tea Salon fit with mini sandwiches, lovely pastries and of course lots of tea! Guests got the choose if they wanted their portrait done as Alice or The Queen, while browsing the new collection.
It was a magical time had by all! { For more information on my live fashion sketching and bookings for your next event, you can contact me here. } xxx Laura  I had such a great time illustrating live with Amazon to celebrate the launch of their new fashion show , Style Code Live. It was a beautiful candlelit evening for fashion influencers and editors, located at the Soho house in NYC. Guests who wanted to get drawn ( which turned out to be everyone ;) had their photo taken , went to mingle then returned to pick up their custom fashion illustration .
It was a fabulous evening filled with much laughter , lot of drawing and of course great fashion. We all ended off that we had to work together again , it felt more like a party then actual work! { For more information on live fashion sketching and bookings for your next event, you can contact me here. } xxx Laura I'm so excited to share with you my recent fashion illustration feature in the latest Vision Magazine. Vision Magazine is an Australian luxury fashion publication that is bridges Eastern and Western cultures. Since the magazine is only available in Australia , I posted the full article here so my non Aussie readers can have a chance to read the feature as well. We discussed the ins and outs of fashion illustration, my inspirations and art background . Happy Reading!  " Fashion illustrator Laura Kay, has collaborated with Christian Louboutin, Lord & Taylor, Chico's and many other well-known international fashion companies. Her illustration was published on Vogue and Vanity Fair. she was commended as one of “5 Must-Follow Fashion Illustrators on Instagram” Laura has a rich experience of working in different arrays of illustration including custom fashion illustration and custom portraits. “Most of my work is commissioned art. I create custom fashion illustrations and portraits for individuals and businesses alike. I’ve worked with Lord &Taylor, Chico’s, CBS Studios and Uniqlo USA to name a few. I don’t recall the first commission I’ve ever received, but it all started when I put up my first custom portrait listing in my Etsy shop. From there it all snowballed quickly into what I do full time today.” With great reputation today, readers may wonder how Laura developed her amazing skills and her education background. She answered, “I am mostly self taught, having art run deep in my genes. I never believed I could become a full time fashion illustrator, so I went to college to major in graphic and multimedia design. I took many design classes there, but only two in art and drawing. I actually missed the day we focused on fashion illustration. The professor was super sweet, and the next class she gave me a mini crash course on the lesson I missed. Until today I still use many of the amazing techniques she gave me in those few moments. At the same time I was enrolled in an art correspondence school to add credits to my art minor." Laura believes Fashion is a form of art; “I’m in love with fashion. An illustrator uses pencils, paints and markers to expresses their art and a designer uses fabrics. I am constantly inspired by the latest fashion shows, street style, award shows, red carpets and the like. I also believe that fashion is inspired by art, so the two are very interconnected.” Laura said.  To become a famous illustrator is not an easy process, although Laura is already super at what she does, she still has people to look up to and admire: the sisters of fashion and art, Megan and Kerrie Hess. “I think their work is super! I also love the work of Ruben Toledo and David Downton.” Back in the old days, fashion designers used pens and pencils to illustrate fashion, then moved to using cameras and photographs. Nowadays, illustration is mostly edited on screen. With the evolution over the years, we may ask "how would illustration be like in the future?" Laura expressed: “I think the style of fashion illustration has become a lot looser, less detailed and more about the movement and strokes. Fashion illustration is thankfully really having it’s come back. There are fashion illustrations appearing in fashion campaigns, on designer websites and fashion magazines. I don’t know what the future holds, but truly hope this trend will stay for the long haul.” With passion for illustration, Laura loves what she is doing now. “Art is part of my makeup, I need to draw, it’s like breathing for most people. Art also brings me joy and It’s the way I express myself best, hence the name for my brand Diary Sketches. " Please view more about Laura on www.diarysketches.com " Hope you enjoyed!
xxx Laura   It is such a honor to have Diary Sketches included in Vanity Fair's list of " 5 Must - Follow Fashion Illustrators on Instagram" Vanity Fair's editor first contacted me a couple months back to do a feature, It started out as a full interview, however I was told they were switching it up to go with the upcoming NYFW. I did not see the finished piece until last night when I went on to VanityFair.Com I was so overwhelmed to see I was included in a article titled "5 Must-Follow Fashion Illustrators on Instagram' alongside some of my long term fashion illustration Idols Paper Fashion , Travel Write Draw... This moment is so special to me and I just wanted to thank you all for supporting me along the way and making my lifelong passion a possible reality! Here is the full never before published interview given by Lucy Feldman of Vanity Fair, hope you enjoy!  How do you describe your aesthetic? Light, easy, fun and fashionable Have you done any commissioned work? If so, what kind of work and for whom? How did you get started? Most of my work is commissioned art. I create custom fashion illustrations and portraits for individuals and businesses alike. I’ve worked with Lord & Taylor , Chico’s, CBS Studios and Uniqlo USA to name a few. I don’t recall the first commission I’ve ever received, but it all started when I put up my first custom portrait listing in my Etsy shop. From there it all snowballed quickly into what I do full time today. What is your artistic educational background? Are you self-taught, or did you study visual art and/or fashion? I am mostly self taught, having art run deep in my genes. I never believed I could become a full time fashion illustrator (my dream job) So I went to collage to major in graphic and multimedia design. I took many design classes there, but only two in art and drawing. I actually missed the day we focused on fashion illustration ;) The professor was super sweet, and the next class she gave me a mini crash course on the lesson I missed. Until today I still use many of the amazing techniques she gave me in those few moments. At the same time I was enrolled in an Art correspondence school to add credits to my art minor.  How many years have you been doing this? I’ve been drawing since I was old enough to pick up a crayon...so that would be the past 20 years :) However, I’ve been doing this full time under my brand Diary Sketches, for the past 2.5 - 3 years Please tell me about your interest in fashion. To put it mildly, I’m in love with fashion :) I believe fashion is wearable art. An illustrator uses pencils, paints and markers to expresses their art and a designer uses fabrics. I am constantly inspired by the latest fashion shows, street style, award show red carpets and the like. I also believe that fashion is inspired by art, so the two are very interconnected. Please describe your artistic process, from what inspires you and gets you started, to where you do your work (a home studio? Elsewhere?), to when you do your work (what time of day, and how often?), and with what materials (do you have favorites, or do you like to vary?). Much of my work is commissioned, the client presents me with the exact image, or runway look they would like me to draw. In those instances I generally have to ‘color in the lines‘ so I don't get to glean outside inspiration in the art sense. However, I listen to many motivational podcasts while I’m working that inspire me personally. For my personal work, I am constantly inspired by fashion. I love checking out the latest runway shows on style.com , I follow fashion bloggers on Instagram, I collect many fashion and art books and lastly I love flipping through a good old fashion magazine. I work out of my home studio. I try to wake up really early while my kids are still sleeping and get a head start to my day. I then send them out and work all mornings until my littles ones get home and then I work again at night. I like to say watercolors were my ‘first love’. My mom presented with my first Windsor and Newton watercolor set when in high school and there’s been no looking back since. On most work I use color pencils and ink with the watercolor paints. I dabble as well with oil paint, pastels, art markers and acrylics, but I’m happiest with watercolors.  How has Instagram changed things? Before Instagram, how did you create a following and gain exposure for your work? Instagram has changed things dramatically for me from when I started. I now have a large audience of followers who instantly see my work by simply scrolling through their feed. More than half of my clients and customers have found me via Instagram. Before I had Instagram I had a facebook page which I used to promote my work. I also spent hours reading up on the ‘art’ of Etsy and perfected my Etsy posting skills. I was then often featured in their newsletters, treasuries... and that gave me a lot of exposure to new clients. Where else do you showcase your work, besides Instagram? Do you sell your work? Aside from Instagram, I’m on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. My art has also been featured on fashion websites and blogs such as Glamour.com, People.com, WhoWhatWear.com and the Urban Outfitters blog. I sell my art, custom portraits, art prints and phone cases on my website diarysketches.com in addition to my Etsy shop, diarysketches.etsy.com Who do you follow? Whose careers do you admire? Whom do you consider the masters in this field? I’m a big fan of Rachel Zoe, I’m so inspired by her balance of being a super mom , amazing entrepreneur and fashion icon to boot! I also love her books, fashion collection and style! I also love Leandra Medine of the Man Repeller, her blog and Instragram feed both inspire and crack me up. I love her fresh, out of the box take on fashion. My favorite designers to follow (and draw) at the moment are Zac Posen, Giambattista Valli and of course Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel. In the art field I really admire the fashion art of sisters, Megan and Kerrie Hess, I think their work is super! I also love the work of Ruben Toledo and David Downton.  Do you have other artistic pursuits, besides your fashion illustration?
I draw custom portraits for clients, custom logos, wedding invitations...but it all comes back to the fashion illustration style, Do you have another occupation outside of your fashion illustration? Nope, I’m a full time fashion illustrator. What is your favorite piece (or pieces), and why? I love the freedom of drawing long glamour dresses so most fashion show illustrations, red carpet pieces and wedding portraits with gowns are favorites. How do you think fashion illustration has evolved over the years, and what’s your take on the future of fashion illustration? I think the style of fashion illustration has become a lot looser, less detailed and more about the movement and strokes. Fashion illustration is thankfully really having it’s come back. There are fashion illustrations appearing in fashion campaigns, on designer websites and fashion magazines. I don’t know what the future holds, but truly hope this trend will stay for the long haul. If you had to describe it in a sentence or two: Why do you do this work? It’s hard to consider it work when I so greatly love what I do. Art is part of my make up. I need to draw, it’s like breathing for most people. Art also brings me joy and It’s the way I express myself best, hence the name for my brand Diary Sketches. What a great way to kick off NYFW!! Thank you Vanity Fair! Now off to start illustrating the latest runway looks!! xxx Laura  I've been receiving many great questions from fans on all platforms requesting techniques, tips and advice. Although I'd love too, unfortunately I can't answer them all. Therefore I decided to post a call for questions on my Instagram and Facebook page so I can answer them all in one easy place, my blog :) Here are a bunch of your questions answered. If you have another question you'd like to ask that was not submitted, please leave it in the comments below and I hope to do a Part 2. Happy Reading xx Laura Q1: @acreativetrace asks - When did you begin to draw ? :) A: Hmmm....as far back as I remember I've been drawing. It's in my genes, my blood, my mom is an artist, many of family members have the art gene. For me art is like breathing, it just comes naturally and I kinda can't live without it :) However I never thought it would be my full time career, so that has become a dream come true! Q2: @unniesweetzel asks - How do you achieve your dreams to be a great fashion illustrator? What is your advice for the beginner who wants to be like you. #askaway A: Thanks for the compliment dear! I just drew and drew and drew (and still do)...when I started my Etsy shop it was a side thing. I think I got maybe one sale in the first month. However, I didn't let that discourage me and I just kept plugging at it, drawing, posting,engaging in social media... If it's just in your head or notebook no one will be able to see it, so most importantly put it out there!!! I'm a firm believer that passion always shines through!! So you go girl! Good luck!  Q3: @allison_keely asks - Did you attend college to become a fashion illustrator if so what did you major in and where did you go? #askaway A: I attended a neighborhood college to major in graphic and multimedia design. I took many design classes there, but only one in art/drawing. I actually missed the day we focused on fashion illustration ( I know ;) The professor was so sweet she gave me a mini crash course after class on the lesson and until today I use the amazing techniques she gave me (If only I could recall her name to thank her!) At the same time I was enrolled in an Art correspondence school called the "Art Instruction School" to add credits to my art minor. In the end I chose to focus solely on the art. But my graphic and web design skills always come in handy - I designed this site ;) Q4: @omot_t asks - After drawing,how do u work on ur illustrations using a laptop? #askaway A: During the day I often just take an iphone photo and edit it with my many free iphone editing apps (my faves are Aviary, Instasize, Fotor..) so it doesn't go on my laptop. At night when there is no sunlight or if I need the digital file for the client. I scan the illustration with my Canon flatbed scanner and then edit it in Photoshop.  Q5: @caitlingarry asks - What pens do you use to draw? X
A: I normally first start drawing with a lead pencil (using.5 lead) I then trace on top of it with, the best -must have -Sakura pigma micron waterproof markers! But whatever marker or pen you decide use it's very important that it's waterproof so that if you are using watercolors the ink won't bleed with the water. And for the last Q for part 1... Q6: @sherlen - Have you ever done process video?? I'd like to see one from sketching to the final piece! A: I posted yesterday on my Instagram a little flipgrame slideshow from 'photo to finish'. However now that finally figured out how to position my $3 iphone tripod. I plan to do a full video in the near future! Stay tuned :) :) Thank you all for your great questions: Again If have have a question that was not posted please leave them in comments below for an #ASKAWAY post part 2! have a great day! xx Laura  When Meghan contacted me to illustrate her entire wedding party for her wedding invitations, I was super excited for the project but also a tad apprehensive since I've never fitted an entire wedding party on a 5x7 file before! ( It looks easier than it is, trust me ;)  We first worked on the layout combining Meghan and my ideas, keeping in mind that all wreaths had to fit into a small rectangle. Next she supplied with me with head shots of the wedding party, their outfits and the flowers for the wreath. We also agreed on a color palette and a font.  The third step was creating all the pencil sketches, having them tweaked once or sometimes a bit more ;) and finally approved. Once all the portrait drawings and the floral border were ready for color, I scanned them and place the files in Photoshop. (Side note, I hardly ever paint digitally any more. My love of digital shifted to becoming a full-fledged watercolor and ink gal. But that's what my client wanted.)  The fifth step and the most time consuming for me when painting digitally, is redrawing the portrait on photoshop using my tablet and adding color.  Lastly I opened a new 5x7 file added the top banner, laid out all wreaths. I then added all the wording and inserted the heads into the wreaths.
 My second love after drawing fashion illustrations, is reading! I love reading anything fashion related, fashion magazines, fashion style guides and most of all about successful women entrepreneurs in the fashion industry that are killing it!  I have many fashion related books that I adore , but I put together a list of of my top 5 books that I think every fashion artist/illustrator should own!  1. THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS by Nina Garcia. It's smart, it's witty, it gives you all the tips you need to look super stylish and the illustrations are rad! 2. THE GLITTER PLAN by Pamela Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor. These two gals started Juicy Couture with only $200...and the rest is history! Their story, determination and crack up humor really hooked me! I'll say this is a MUST READ!! 3.THE DRESS by Megan Hess. She illustrated 100 iconic moments in fashion. It's beautiful too look at and display. 4. LIVING IN STYLE by Rachel Zoe. This book is perfection on many levels. Firstly Rachel Zoe is kind of perfection herself so I didn't expect anything less from the book. Secondly, she really explains how to incorporate fashion and style in everyday life. Also a MUST READ 5. FASHION ILLUSTRATION BY FASHION DESIGNERS by Laird Borelli. This last book is super special to me since it was the first fashion book I ever purchased (rather my mom purchased it for me ;) I would look at it every night before going to sleep, and with this number I decided I was going to become a fashion illustrator whatever it took!!  ...and I did :)
Hope you love these books as much as I do! Please let me know your fave fashion reads! xx Laura |
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