How to draw lace

by in Textiles

In this step by step tutorial, you will learn how to draw lace. Most probably you consider this type of fabric hard to draw. How to draw the lace to make it look transparent and realistic? What type of pattern to use? The answers you will find in this fun and easy tutorial. Enjoy!

Drawing skills – chiffon, corset, fabric, lace, transparent fabrics – how to draw lace

6/10

Time to draw – chiffon, corset, fabric, lace, transparent fabrics – how to draw lace

12 min

Art tools – chiffon, corset, fabric, lace, transparent fabrics – how to draw lace

drawing paper
pencil
eraser
markers
colored pencils

How to draw lace step by step tutorial cover – chiffon, corset, fabric, lace, transparent fabrics – how to draw lace

Step 1: Apply a base color

The first thing you need to do is to find a darker color than the skin tone one and render the fabric with it. Even though lace is translucent it does make the skin look shaded. Check the ” How to draw chiffon” tutorial for more information on drawing light, translucent textiles.

If you can’t find a proper shade just add a little bit of black to your skintone colour and use it to colour the clothes you want.

St1 – chiffon, corset, fabric, lace, transparent fabrics – how to draw lace

Step 2: Draw some Shadows

Lay down some shadows to give your illustration more dimension. Draw the shadows as if your model was not wearing any clothes. For example, you can look into the “How to draw skin shadows” tutorial.

St2 – chiffon, corset, fabric, lace, transparent fabrics – how to draw lace

Step 3: Draw the lace mesh

Fill with fine net mesh the places of the design that will be made of lace. For best results use a well-sharpened pencil.

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Step 4: Draw Lace ornaments

The lace pattern should follow the diagonal direction of the mesh. Try to leave equal space between the ornaments and put the next row of the pattern as shown in the picture (every ornament lays in the middle of the space between those above it )
You shouldn’t worry about making all of the figures exactly the same size and form. Just think of easy to repeat patterns and allow yourself to make some variations of it.

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Step 5: Inking

Ink the ornaments with black color. Don’t forget to play with the width of the lines as you don’t want your illustration to look boring!

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Step 6: Tiny details

Use the pencil to draw small crosses between the ornaments and follow the mesh direction to make everything look ordered and logical.

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Step 7: Leaves to match the flowers

Attached some leaves to the ornaments. Fill about 2/3 of each leaf with black ink.

Most of the lace fabrics have some kind of floral motives. However, if you don’t like flowers for any reason feel free to experiment with abstract forms on your liking.

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Step 8: Decorative dots

Use dots for the contour of the leaves. This will add a lot of lace sensation to your drawing.

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Step 9: The endings

Draw half-circles to cover the end of the lace. You can make the outline double for a more complete look.

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Step 10: Complete the half-circles

Put an “X” in every semicircle. Let it overshoot the borders of the circle.

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Step 11: Final touches

Finish by drawing small dots on top of the “X” marks and a wavy line a bit higher.

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Now you know an easy way to draw lace for your fashion sketches. You can apply it just on the hemlines as lace trim or create a whole collection out of lace fabric. Do you feel inspired already?

Happy drawing!

Love, teya

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