Fashion Sketchbook

This was the first fashion illustration book I ever purchased. It's had it's share of wear and tear over the years and was worth every penny I paid for it. For ages I thought I would be working in the fashion industry and dreamed about being the next David Downton. But I have sense changed gears a bit but still find myself referencing this book constantly.

The book is filled from beginning to end with how to do's and it wonderful especially if you are a beginner at fashion illustration as apposed to life drawing, comic, or manga illustration. They all have their own special "look" and you need to know proportions and techniques as you develop your own style.


I love that the book just doesn't' focus on women's fashion but also kids and men. From posing to dressing you'll get all the know how for all your little or big fashion sketches.

The book also goes over finishing up your sketch with color and details.

And even has guest artists with some of their very stylish illustrations. It really gets you pumped for creating your own style.



I'm thrilled to see that there is now a fifth addition and really really want to purchase it.

My Dad's a Birdman

I've been reading to my daughter for 4 years now, and yes, that means she is 4 years old. I purchased this book shortly after her 2nd Birthday and began reading her chapters after nap time in 2009 (2 years after the book was published). It was an absolute treat! Very imaginative, dreamy, funny and lovable. Even though it's a chapter book with few images, the text give enough color and illusion that anyone with an imagination can bring the story to life inside themselves. And my very imaginative 2 year old was no different. Since the first reading of the book at age 2, I have read it to her 2 more times. She absolutely loves the book.

It's a delightful story of a little girl named Lizzie and her very unusual dad and a very extraordinary competition.
But I am one to judge a book by it's cover and I must say this one says it's worth a read, so I couldn't resist buying it. I was a little worried that buying a chapter book with a scattering of illustraions might not be enjoyable to a 2 year old, but I was wrong. With only 17 chapters we had the book finished in less than 2 weeks. It was a quick read and each chapter was engaging and fun. As quick as you fall in love with the delightful illustrations you will fall in love with the charming story of determination, grief, strength, and love.

Train to Glasgow

A good friend got this book for my daughter on her second Easter. My husbands family is from Glasgow so it was a particular joy to see a children's book with Glasgow in the title and it is about a boy named Donald (my husbands name), so I swear this book was written for us. No matter what anyone tells you, trains aren't just loved by little boys. My Emma loves trains and has her own Thomas the Train set. So this book was an instant favorite in our home. It's got wonderfully lively illustrations that go with the rollicking text. Since my daughter loved the book so much I got a second copy for my son when he was born 9 months ago. Because as any mother of boys will tell you, you can find a dozen or more kid books on princesses to every one book that might be appropriate for a boy. An absolute treasure for boys and girls and is best read by my husband with his Scottish accent.

Fashion & Graphics

Two of my loves in one book! Fashion & Graphics is an wonderful look at the fashion industry working with graphic designers to create what will be come iconic designs craved by the consumers as a must own item.
24 fashion houses and 19 graphic design firms share their story of collaboration and journey into each others world. The book and each study goes over everything from the tiny tag on the clothing to the invitations, shopping bags, perfume, and just about anything else you will see the name dropped on.
I've shown a few of my favorite studies of fashion houses and their look/logo that are gone over in the book. Each with a very different approach to the same outcome.....The coveted label!
This book is a treasure to anyone who loves fashion and has a great appreciation for all that is graphic design.

Martin Pebble

A wonderful French story of two odd little boys and their great friendship. Published by Phaidon, so right away you know it's a treasure to own. It's a French classic since 1969 illustrated and text by Jean-Jacques Sempe. I purchased this book while I was pregnant with my daughter in 2006 when it was first put into print in English. I fell in love with the illustrations and story.
I love the detail, and white with just a hint of color.
Such great use of line and words. An absolute treasure!

Six by Seuss

It's Dr. Seuss's 107 birthday today! I grew up loving every one of his books. Once a week my mom would take all four of us kids to the library and let us pick out 4 books each. I always had at least one Dr Seuss book in my stack. Maybe becasue I was able to read the fun scrambling and made up words, or maybe it was the super silly images, but more likely it was both. Years later as an adult before I ever started having kids I bought this book. It was a childhood memory I didn't want to let go of. I never owned a Dr Seuss book as a child and I wasn't about to go through my whole life not having a treasury like this. Now with a 4 year old and a 9 month old in the house I happily read them the funny tales in the book as well as other favorites I've added to their library. Happy Birthday to a man that made reading fun and illustrations silly!

Christian Dior

It's the first day of Paris Fashion week and a sad day as well. Dior has fired it's 15 year head designer John Galliano for his horrible and unforgivable slander. Despite all of that, Christian Dior at the heart is a man who's talent will never be forgotten, Christian Dior himself. I forever will admire his work and the 10 wonderful years after WWII of fashion and beauty. This book is one of my most treasured fashion books. I have read it from cover to cover, stared into every illustration and image for countless hours only to fall in love with Monsieur Dior over and over again. This is a beautiful story of France, of Paris coming out of it's darkest hours of WWII into a beautiful light that Dior shown on every lady.
The book is filled with photos of the man himself, his story, his sketches, drawings and ideas. Ten years of talent fill this book only to end in his death.
It's aw inspiring for any artist, and Dior will always be my favorite fashion house. No one can ruin what Monsieur Dior created. He gave a broken world back it's femininity, narrow waists, high and prominent bust, long skirts, and fabulous evening dresses made up of seemingly endless meters of luxurious cloth.
This is a beautiful oversize limited edition book based mostly on photographs in the Dior archives, and is the detailed history of the first decade of the great house's activity when Christian Dior personally supervised every detail.