Where Fashion Meets the Canvas: The Illustrative World of Beckie Di Leo
Photo Credit: Beckie Di Leo
We obviously see fashion as physical, wearable pieces of art, but there’s also the entire drawing component that goes on behind-the-scenes of fashion design. Whether on the runway or a canvas, it inspires creatives each day, bringing expression to life through different mediums. Fashion sketches and paintings are like the blueprint to a finalized outfit before it gets worn on a model or mannequin, therefore playing a critical role in the production process.
Beckie Di Leo, an art teacher and fashion illustrator, has explored all kinds of drawing aesthetics—painted both digitally and on paper. Since pursuing her passion as an artist, she has drawn inspiration from people to cartoon characters while on the journey of finding her own tailored illustration style.
Photo & Art Credit: Beckie Di Leo
Upon discovering the famous Kate Moss, Di Leo found herself using the supermodel as a muse for many of her projects. She has based her work on Disney characters, Bratz Dolls, and Picasso paintings, while still translating the vibe into her unique artistic approach. Exploring pin-up and gothic styles, she has not only illustrated portraits of human figures, but has captured other kinds of fashion oriented pieces—like shoe and fashion setting sketches.
Photo & Art Credit: Beckie Di Leo
And while she loves using pop-culture to fuel her imagination, she finds basing her art on people going about their day-to-day lives, and individuals she meets at events, to be a special experience.
“Because I am constantly drawing strangers, I enjoy the art of conversation with them,” she says. “The more I can chat with someone at a live art gig, the more personality will come across in my rendering.”
Her go-to and preferred way to create is by bringing her images to life using oil paints and pencils. The physical feeling of brushes and colouring utensils blending together on a blank surface, and the scent of the oil filling her studio, gives her a sense of empowerment that digital illustrations can’t replicate.
“I use Adobe Photoshop for fun fashion collage work (with my photography), Illustrator (when I want to torture myself and attempt to create a logo – although I have the pen tool mastered), and I have taught myself ProCreate – which is fun, but not nearly as exciting as breaking open my art kit with all its goodies.”
Photo & Art Credit: Beckie Di Leo
This is when she delivers the best products, reflecting textures and details that give her art movement and depth. But it’s not only the mediums she draws in that matter, it’s also the colour palette of choice.
“Only colours I mix from scratch (in watercolour, acrylic, and oils) are worthy to be part of a final composition,” says Di Leo.
Each day has been an opportunity to learn and grow, but so far one of her favourite collaborations has been with Cosmetica Labs at an event where she painted live at a trade show in New York City. In the future, she would love to one day work with Marc Jacobs and Daphne Guinness, both of whom she greatly admires. And as Di Leo continues to work in fashion, the industry keeps growing. She notes that it’s important to stay unique, and that’s what draws in collaborators.
Photo & Art Credit: Beckie Di Leo
“I am loving all the AI surreal fashion video shorts. Tech is great for immersive experiences as well, however, I would like to think there will always be a need for the human touch, something authentic and tangible.”
Author: Daria Orth
