There’s something magical about the loose, expressive fashion sketches from the golden age of illustration — and today, I’m inviting you to draw one with me. Inspired by Carl Erickson’s iconic Vogue illustrations, this session is all about letting go of perfection, drawing freely, and adding colour with whatever supplies you have — I used watercolour!

This is a relaxed, beginner-friendly tutorial for anyone who loves timeless fashion and wants to draw with more confidence and flow.

Don’t Erase any Lines OR Draw with Ink

That’s right — no erasing. The beauty of not using an eraser or using only ink to draw is that it forces you to commit. You just keep going, even if the lines aren’t perfect.

This approach may feel scary at first, but it teaches you to trust your hand and embrace the natural looseness and go with the flow. Experiment with a gel pen, fountain pen, even a ballpoint will do. Also try sharpie markers, they are my favourite. Drawing with ink OR without an eraser helps you focus on embracing mistakes and incorporating them into your artwork.

Focus on Gestures, Forget the Details

Start with the gesture — the angle of the head, the twist of the waist, the sweep of the fabric. Don’t worry about being accurate. Vintage fashion sketches often have dramatic poses, elongated limbs, and an effortless vibe.

I also love that a lot of fashion sketches have bold colours and patterns. Even if you make mistakes and mess up the drawing, once you add colour and pattern it becomes vibrant and beautiful.

Draw quickly so you don’t have time to overthink. Let the figure unfold as you go. Keep your wrist relaxed and let your lines be imperfect — that’s where the style lives.

MY DRAWING BOOKS & ARTWORK

Add Pops of Colour & Pattern

Once your sketch is done, it’s time to add colour. I used watercolour paint, gouache and oil pastel, but you can use anything — acrylics, markers, coloured pencils or even crayons.

The goal isn’t to colour inside the lines — it’s to create a feeling and convey an emotion.

Don’t Overwork It

The best part of this method? You’re done when it feels right. Don’t become obsessed over details — that takes away from the magic of drawing and creating art in your own style. Leave parts unfinished, let lines trail off, and resist the urge to “fix” things. This isn’t about realism. It’s about discovering and embracing your own art style.

Why This Drawing Session Feels So Good

By skipping the eraser and diving straight in, you build creative confidence. You stop chasing perfection and start discovering your own style. Whether you’re brand new to fashion illustration or just looking to loosen up, this session is a fun, freeing way to explore art.

✨ So go grab a pen, any colours you love, and join me (drawing sessions on youtube are every Friday.). Vintage glam, messy lines, and all.