How to Illustrate Animal Print and Plaids in Your Fashion Illustration

When it comes to fashion illustration, adding patterns like animal prints, plaids, and florals can really bring your designs to life. But let’s be honest - these patterns can be tricky to capture! I’ve spent a lot of time experimenting with different techniques, and today I’m excited to share some of my favorite tips and tricks with you. Whether you’re sketching for a fashion brand, editorial client, or just honing your skills, this guide will help you illustrate these classic patterns with confidence and flair.

Why Patterns Matter in Fashion Illustration

Patterns are more than just decoration - they tell a story. Animal prints evoke boldness and wildness, plaids bring a sense of tradition and structure, and florals add softness and romance. When you illustrate these patterns well, you’re not just showing fabric - you’re conveying mood, personality, and style.

But how do you translate these complex designs onto paper or screen without overwhelming your illustration? The key is to balance detail with simplicity. You want your patterns to be recognizable but not so busy that they distract from the overall look.

Here’s a quick tip: start with a light sketch of your garment’s shape and folds before adding any pattern. This way, you can map out where the design will flow naturally.

Mastering Animal Prints: From Spots to Stripes

Animal prints are a favorite in fashion because they instantly add edge and excitement. The most common ones you’ll encounter are leopard spots, zebra stripes, and snake scales. Each has its own vibe and requires a slightly different approach.

Animal print adds a wild and playful touch to fashion illustrations.

Leopard Spots

Leopard spots are irregular and organic, so avoid making them too uniform. Use a mix of solid and open shapes to mimic the natural variation. I like to start by lightly sketching random oval and circular shapes across the fabric area. Then, I fill some with a lighter brown and leave others open or partially filled. Most leopard spot illustration works best with 4 colors of brown, two for the the background and two more for the spots.

Pro tip: Vary the size of the spots to create a more dynamic and realistic look. Smaller spots work well near seams or edges, while larger ones can dominate the center of the garment.

Tiger Stripes

Tiger stripes are all about contrast and flow. They follow the contours of the body, so it’s important to curve your stripes along the garment’s folds and shape. Use bold, black lines on a light orangey background, and keep the stripes uneven in width for a natural feel.

Try sketching the stripes with a brush pen or digital brush that mimics ink strokes. This adds a natural and accurate pattern that feels fresh and lively.

Snake Scales

Snake patterns are more geometric and repetitive. Start by drawing a criss-cross pattern to form small diamond or hexagonal shapes in a grid-like pattern. Then, add shading or texture inside each scale to give depth. You can also experiment with color gradients to mimic the iridescence of real snake skin.

Remember, snake prints often have a subtle shimmer, so don’t be afraid to add highlights or gloss effects if you’re working digitally.

Mastering Plaids: From gingham to tartan

Plaids can seem intimidating because of their grid-like complexity, but once you break them down, they’re surprisingly manageable. The key is to think of plaids as layers of horizontal and vertical lines with varying thickness and color.

Illustrating Plaids

Gingham Check

Gingham check is characterized by its simple, evenly spaced checks, typically in two colors. The most common color combination is white and blue, but it can be found in various color pairings. This pattern is often associated with picnic blankets and casual wear, making it a popular choice for summer clothing and home textiles.

To illustrate gingham it is best to have one main color and two shades of that color. Starting with the lightest color, layer the mid tone in a grid pattern over top. Add the darkest color in the spots where the lines cross. This adds dimension and additional accuracy to your illustration.

Tartan

Tartan is a traditional Scottish pattern consisting of crisscrossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors. Each tartan design is unique to a particular clan or region, making it rich in cultural significance. Tartan is widely used in formal wear, such as kilts, as well as in home decor and accessories.

When illustrating tartan, it is best to have one main color and two shades of that color. Starting with the lightest and then layering the darker colors over top will make the tartan look just right. Add some light colored pencil marks over the stripes for added detail and accuracy.

Quick Tip:

If you’re working digitally, create your plaid pattern as a separate layer or swatch. This way, you can easily adjust colors and scale without redrawing everything.

Plaid patterns bring a classic and structured vibe to fashion illustrations.

Ready to Elevate Your Fashion Illustrations?

I hope these tips inspire you to dive into illustrating animal prints and plaids with fresh enthusiasm! Remember, practice is key. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different tools and techniques until you find what works best for your style.

If you want to deepen your skills, consider exploring my Illustrating Fashion Fabrics class on Skillshare classes or picking up my fashion coloring book to practice pattern work in a fun, low-pressure way.

Happy illustrating!

If you want to see more of my work or get custom illustration commissions, feel free to reach out. Let’s make your fashion visions come alive with vibrant, eye-catching patterns!