The Parts of a Men's Fashion Illustration

Here is a visual insight into the process of one of the men's fashion illustrations. Not everything is revealed, but study the images and you will get the gist of it all goes down. Let me know what you think. This men's fashion illustration is a part of the Illustration Weekly Series and was featuring the Milan's Men Fashion Week at the beginning of 2013.

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Sunflowerman and Sam Flax- Illustration Tutorial

It is true! The rumors, or lack of rumors suggesting the collaboration between Sunflowerman and Sam Flax Atlanta can now be confirmed.

The 'Watercolor for Illustrators' shorts series will be released for free in a couple weeks. I have had the immense pleasure to partner with Sam Flax in presenting this information, free of charge to anyone and everyone.

Here is a video from the last Sunflowerman, Sam Flax experience.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qbi6tEFkWo?rel=0&w=640&h=360]

London Collections Men, Hackett

London Fashion Week kicked off the new year and the new look at fashion for 2013. I have taken a look at several of the collections and illustrated them on recycled Sherlock Holmes Short Story Book Pages and are available at the shop

This first look is at the Hackett Collection. The WWD review provides a great rundown of the runway.

Jeremy Hackett took to the crypt of Saint Paul’s Cathedral in east London for his show that was all about the snazzy English gent — the sort who wears a bowler hat to work. Hackett played with traditional men’s wear patterns such as Prince of Wales and windowpane checks, and mixed and layered tailored pieces with patterned knitwear in the form of sweater vests, V-neck pullovers and scarves.

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The Rake at the shop

The Dapper at the shop

The Dandy at the shop

Fashion Illustration Web Headers

I began developing some Web-Header illustrations a while back that never were used. Hope is still strong within me that they will find a purpose one day. Today though, these fine illustrations are nice enough to share themselves as examples of my process. When I am illustrating there is an overall process that guides the work I do. Not everything is done the same way, but almost always there is a similar strategy to them. The Web-Headers have been the most straight-forward and will hopefully provide a bit of knowledge and maybe a bit of joy as well.

With this controlled style I start with a pencil sketch and follow it with an ink outline (I use a round brush from sizes 1-6 and black india ink, usually Dr. Ph. Martins).

When the ink dries I do a heavy wash of base colors in watercolor to cover most of the work space (This is mostly water and a little bit of watercolor to create a unique ethereal background).

Finally all that's left is filling in the details of lights and darks to pull the form of the figures from off the page (personally I feel that it is ok to use white gouache over watercolor to create some highlights and not to just leave the white of the background, where many watercolor purists would smack me in the face at the mention of it).

Milan Men's Fashion Week… Illustration Weekly 4

Milan Men's Fashion Week ended early last week. It came bracing the heels of the London Collections: Men but quickly slowed its pace to saunter as the first collections took to the runway. In, what appeared to be a stiffened gaze on the acceptable and conservative dress, Milan began showing the colors of slumping sales.

The evident gray tones throughout the collections were a nod to winter and perhaps a suggestion that the economy takes creative license at times. Missing Missoni founders weighted the grays even more to all who were present.

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But in fashion a show without pizazz is no show at all. As the days lengthened and the collections began growing in number the bold and beautiful emerged. The controversial Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas designed a fantastic set for Prada, lacy men's lingerie was premiered by Versace and while many collections featured hand-bags Gucci stole eyes with gold-chained handcuff portfolios. Among the more implicitly traditional yet awesome in beauty were Canali, DSquared2, Burberry and Diesel Black Gold. (See the collections on Vogue)

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The Autumn/Winter 2013 collections in Milan did not turn out to be strikingly exotic or outrageous but once again the power house families and houses did not cease to amaze. Perhaps this year will see a respect for tradition and the burden of sales will give way to the freedom of creativity.

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-Sunflowerman

instagram @sunflowerman

twitter @sunflowermatt

The Smokes Collection, Available Now

The Book Page Fashion Illustrations come out of a love for men's fashion and culture. The Book Page Collection Series is about knowledge, sophistication and originality. Each illustration is hand painted on a recycled book page using non-toxic india inks and watercolors. When you see a Sunflowerman Fashion Illustration you are always seeing an original piece of art. Each image is created to be a unique creation fit for any collector or casual lover of the arts.

The Smokes Collection is now available at the shop where you can see the whole series.

But if you don't have time, here is a little teaser.

'The Smokes" Collection

The Condesa Installation...

Condesa Coffee has the best coffee in Atlanta. I can never say too many good things about the people who work there and spend time there. They have been gracious enough to share their walls with me and below is the first installation of the Book Page Fashion Illustrations at Condesa.  

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Sunflowerman/ Hackett/ London 2013...

The London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2013 Collection:Men is happening now! As a Fashion Illustrator the newest collections are a great for a fresh dose of inspiration.. I am stoked to see all of the collections coming out for fall and winter 2013. Of the collections thus far I have taken fancy to the Lou Dalton and the Hackett collections. My tendency is to be attracted to more conservative styles and that is exactly where I find myself to this point. There were a couple of collections that were visually exacerbating. Understanding the expressive nature of these shows I am still left winded by the likes of Fashion East and Craig Green.

Above is my take on the Hackett collection. I love the muted colors and classic lines.

Illustration Weekly…2

January is here!

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The cold is with us and from it there is no escape. We must defend ourselves against the cold winds and icy precipitation. Days define themselves with the tremors of cold and the burn of red on every face. Evenings are filled with huddled blankets, craning around the hearth and the haste of sipping on hot chocolate (or if you are more like myself- hot tea).

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In the midst of the season there is joy. Winter is the time for Layers! Nestle in to your favorite shirt. Slip the socks around your feet and consider the colors and patterns for the day’s tie. Should it be silk or knitted? Patterned or plain? Don that Trench or that Pea Coat or one of those many seasonal sweaters. And I admonish you to not forget about the accents. Perhaps it is a tie-clip or some sort of lapel pin. As always, be creative, look great and during the winter season please stay warm.

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-Sunflowerman

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Instagram @sunflowerman

twitter @sunflowermatt

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See this article on TheFollowFashion.com

And check back every week on theFollowFashion.com and Sunflowerman.com for more on this fashion series.

Juwan Mass Install...

I met this guy through a coffee shop. He has a passion for Men's clothing and eye for art and we hit it off. The resulting collaboration is what you see below.  

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The Harrap Project...

My friend Chris Harrap had an idea and asked me to be a part in it. My expertise is in illustration and from that I was able to contribute an image for the project. There is a necessary amount of secrecy with this project but I do feel honored to show some of the process of the painting and of my end of the contribution.  

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The Fashion Book Page Illustrations...

As time progresses the beauty of the Fashion Book Page Illustrations deepens. The textures and colors and lines move delicately and proudly around the page as the color undulates in and out of the surface plane. See some of the current work below and let me know what you think of what they have become.  

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Book Page Fashion Illustration… Dr. Who

As a continuation of the Book Page series I have here featured Dr. Who, the 11th doctor- as played by Matt Smith. Complete with a Sonic Screwdriver and of course, a bow-tie.

Women's Fashion Illustration… Book Pages

Recently I was commissioned to do this series of women's fashion illustration on the book pages. I have stayed away from women's fashion quite purposefully. It is such a highly saturated genre with little variety. Though illustrating the female form is much more interesting than the male form. One could understand the saturation of the women's fashion market after having the opportunity to work in it.

My heavy handed approach with varying thicknesses of bold blacks carried over to the traditionally delicate and fluid line work of women's fashion illustration makes for a stronger figure. With my signature book page background these illustrations maintain the sunflowerman 'look.'

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Bowties...

Watch how I make a bow tie! As a part of the fashion series this video is an entertaining diversion that will take you on a journey with me and the music of The Bamboos in the creation of a Book Page Fashion Illustration. .

Enjoy

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jJX4qDK9ck&w=560&h=315]

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Sneak Peak…

Check out the sneak peak video of the collaboration between Chris Harrap and Matthew Miller. .

Photo and Video to be released soon!

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-kOpGk_fCs]

Caleb Morris Paints...

If you have ever heard a tall tale or seen someone paint a story in your mind then you have met Caleb Morris. He has a nack for tall tales and hyperbole. You might more accurately say that he has a unique ability to embellish, and I mean to share this with the utmost respect. A story woven by any other person is simply a reiteration of events gone by. When Caleb speaks stories are born. He gives life and character to moments that you or I would never experience outside of his recollection.

Beyond the imagination of his words is the imagination of his hands. Caleb is an illustrator. An illustrator in a world like Caleb's is a story teller. The same vivid drama that he speaks he also conjures as image.

When we decided to trade Illustrations I was elated. This was my chance to hold on to a story wrought by Caleb forever.

Below is the story that Caleb painted for me. Find his work here.

I thought that I would share my contribution as well. It was an honor to have the opportunity to paint this dog. Artie is not simply an old dog waning in life. He is an old man who thinks he can lay in the bed with ma and pa. He is full of mischief and tom-foolery and continually leads Caleb into trouble. His legs fail him, but his desires carry him. He is full of color and joy.

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Other Works by Caleb Morris

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http://calebmorris.net

Illustration Friday… Bounce

Bounce Sheep, bounce Bounce from dream to dream

Bounce from dream to daydream

Bounce back and forth

and forth and back.

Bounce from dream to reality.

Fashion Illustrations… Dictionary Pages

Here are more men's fashion illustrations placed on dictionary pages. It just keeps getting better!

This new collection takes the mastery of the ink and brush and highlights the great qualities of men's fashion. Sometimes the focus is on the cut of the jacket and sometimes it is on the color of the shirt and tie.

My goal is to highlight and focus on the spirit of men's fashion in an innovative and creative manner.

Fashion Illustrations... Book Pages

If you have been following along with the fashion here you have seen a lot happening. There are portraits, GQ covers, book pages, watercolors, sketches and character features. This next addition is not too far from the rest though I hope that it takes it's own direction in the collection. From here the images are going to grow in their fragmented book page form. Look for shoes painted on 10 pages and faces that encompass 15 pages.

If you would like to be featured in an illustration go ahead and email me.