Guzema New York, Live Fashion Sketching this Saturday, October 17th 12-6PM!

I am so elated to be partnering with Guzema, the fine jewelry brand (as seen on Emily in Paris) to live sketch this Saturday from 12-6PM at their Soho New York City location: 112 Wooster Street! Join us for our Art Day together, as we celebrate hand craftsmanship and design.

You can view the beautiful reel we created together here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DecMjufoOUj/

If you’re in the city, please stop by and come say hi! I will be sketching guests in their fabulous jewelry. This brand was founded by Ukrainian Mariana Lenha. She has been a delight to work with the past year. And I love when Women-owned small business’s can support one another in this way. The brand has inspired some of my fashion illustrations with touches of their sparkly jewels!

I hope to see you in NYC!

Jess

48 Hours of Live Sketching in New York & Chicago this week!

Most Monday’s I spend my morning catching up on emails in the comfort of my studio office at home.

This week I jumped on an early morning flight to New York, for a content creation day with the fine jewelry brand, Guzema. I worked with Guzema last year creating city scape illustrations for Pop Up Events they were hosting. They are an exquisite brand, that just opened their first store in New York City in the heart of Soho. They are a Ukrainian brand that has been worn by Charlize Theron, Meghan Markle, Shakira and more. Emily from Emily in Paris also wears the jewelry in many scenes, and as many of you know my work is in the show too. So it’s a lovely kismet connection.

Guzema’s works are stunning and feel very artisanal. The founder Mariana is a lovely person. So I love being able to align with brands that feel very me and very natural for us to work together.

They wanted to shoot me live fashion sketching, and interview me for an upcoming event we will be hosting at their Soho store on October 17th, from 11-4pm! I got to to wear their fabulous diamond, gold and silver designs for the day. They shot me painting and sketching, and the content will likely go live in the next few days on their IG, so we can get the word out about the event. I’ll be live sketching guests on Saturday, October 17th in New York City. So mark your calendars if you’re in the area and want to stop by. I would love to see you there!

I love jewelry, ad Guzema’s designs are not only what I love to paint…but also wear!

One of their diamond necklaces, just so so pretty!

You can visit their website at: https://guzema.com/

The next morning I was on a flight to Chicago to work an event that evening in the River North neighborhood for the Luxury Bed Collection store. They are a premier bedding store…they sell mattresses that cost half a million dollars! You know the kind that Beyonce sleeps in ;)

They were hosting a private event for designers in the industry, and asked them to come in their pj’s for a guided sleep meditation. Of course there were snacks & Author Megan Mazzocco shared her new book The Sleep System with the guest’s and gave hand signed copies to them.

I think drawing people in their pj’s was a first for me, and I have to say it was super cute!

I’m grateful for the safe, on time flights I was able to catch this week. I appreciate when I can work with brands that respect and appreciate the work I create. It was a really fun start to my week!

I am looking forward to returning to New York next weekend, and I hope you can stop by if you’re in the city for a complimentary sketch from me to you!

Jess

Live Fashion Sketching over the weekend with Back to Back Wedding Events & My Drawing Course Launched!

Hello hello!

These last few weeks have been one of the busiest of the year for me. Often times in a freelance artist’s career we go through feast or famine in our work flow. I really enjoyed and leaned into the slowness of Summer, knowing that once it was September things would kick into overdrive. And I had no idea, just how busy it would be!

One of the things I have been hard at work on, is launching a master course on Drawing the Face, with a niche take on drawing the fashion face. My course opened for registration last week and closed on Sunday. I am so grateful for the success of it. It’s over 6 hours of lessons I created, based on some of the works throughout my career that brought me where I am today. It was a huge challenge for me to film this course while our house has been under a remodel (due to flood we had on our first floor back in end of June). So many times I would mic up, for sound, and then the jackhammer would blast for hours! I pushed through, having faith that it would all work out. But man, was it tough to have strangers in our home daily, and not knowing how loud and messy each day would be.

My wall is currently full of post-its of each students who have enrolled! We have over 100+ students who have signed up. And I truly hope this course can teach you new things, and allow you to create things that help build your confidence. I share my origin story of how my career started, in the hopes it can help those who need to hear it most.

The course is officially closed, but you can get on the waitlist here:

https://www.jessillustrator.com/wait/list

On top of my course launching, I have been juggling lots of travel for live fashion illustration events. Next week I have to travel to NYC for brand work, and Chicago for another live sketching event!

I was able to capture guests reactions to their pieces, on Friday at the rehearsal dinner at Bar La Blanc in Atlanta, and then at Detroit’s Michigan Central the next day. Yes…I worked Friday night, woke up at 5AM to get on a flight to Detroit to work 5+hours sketching at a beautiful wedding! I wish I had more time to meet up with people I know in Detroit, but I had to take it easy. I did enlist the help of one of my dearest friends who is a talented photographer & videographer, Hannah Rawlings. She flew in from SLC and helped me and my friend Ivy McConnell (the other talented illustrator) to help with the line for working from guest photos at the wedding and capture photos and footage.

Here are some fun reels I made on Instagram recapping Friday & Saturday night:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DdwQNCYsCtw/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DdzOiKtMfy3/

Here is the mother of Groom, who planned the rehearsal dinner looking at the 36 guest illustrations I was able to create in 2.5 hours! We had a list of most important guests to sketch, I took photos and then I was able to work uninterrupted for the evening…and I set a new record! She was SO excited and thrilled to see the results. Kristine was a lovely person to work with. And Bar Blanc was so beautiful!

The next night, I got to sketch some beautiful looks at Detroit’s Grand Central Terminal. And wow, was it fun! There were some fire looks!!

Bridesmaids sketches made at the start, during the ceremony we try to start sketching from photos at most events.

For events I have created & adapted a more rapid fire approach to sketching where I simplify and create whimsical, fun sketches using markers-so I don’t have to worry about paint drying time. They take 5 minutes or less per sketch in this style.

Me with Kristine, the gorgeous Mother of the Groom after I completed my job ;)

I am so incredibly thankful that all our flights were on time and smooth, and that I was able to have the energy & stamina to do everything I needed to do. Many years ago I battled huge health scares, and so now that I am healed I always see what a blessing it is for me to work in the way I do. And rest when I need to, that is a huge part of how I can do these! Don’t you worry I scheduled a massage before the trip for my hands ;)

Thank you to Mary & Brandon for allowing Ivy & I to sketch at your amazing wedding. And to Kristine for entrusting in me to sketch your beautiful family.

Jess

Live Fashion Sketching for Dior: A Past Favorite!

I have been fortunate over the years of my career to live fashion illustrate and sketch for some of my dream clients. For instance, Dior! I mean, what fashion illustrator wouldn’t love to work with one of the most iconic and inspiring brands in fashion history? I have worked with Dior a few times and it’s always a sheer delight for me to create for the brand on site!

I had fun creating beautiful bespoke illustrations for their store in Las Vegas’ Bellagio. I actually grew up in Las Vegas, so to return to my old stomping grounds to sketch for Dior is a pleasure.

I hand painted this shopping bag, based off of a floral pattern from a Dior vintage book I own.

I had so much fun creating little illustrations of the Lady Dior bags in store.

My painting desk for the day, not too shabby! I love creating artwork for clients that personalize their shopping experience to be one they won’t easily forget.

How cute are these lady Dior bags illustrated with watercolor and markers?!

A simple, quick and fun sketch of a customer!

I made a few fashion sketches in advance based on the latest Dior collection to bring with me. I love to fan girl when I get to work with a client like Dior.

If you’re looking for a hand made, bespoke fashion illustrations and sketches at your next event, just email jessillustration@gmail.com

Thank you!

Jess

Some of my favorite live fashion sketches & looks!

I thought I would take a moment to share some of my favorite live fashion sketches and illustrations I have created over the last few years. From Las Vegas to right here in Atlanta, from casual sporty events to holiday soirees and Amazon Fashion events…I’ve had a lot of variety over the years. And it brings me so much joy to see how happy guests are after receiving their hand made drawing.

This lilac look & Dior book bag was so fun to sketch for this beautiful woman at an Amazon Fashion Influencers event in Las Vegas.

I loved illustrating this woman’s hair, and pops of gold in her jewelry & red sweater. It’s so cute to see a denim look translated into a 5 x 7” custom artwork.

For a glam holiday look, I adored this couple’s fits. Her black feathery dress, and his burgundy blazer…the looked SO GOOD! And they loved their sketch. It was a win win!

It’s always fun to sketch fashion trends of the moment. Last year the bubble hem & polka dots were all the rage. So this was just super cute to illustrate. I thought she looked so fab!

This event was a luncheon for Neiman Marcus here in Atlanta. I have sketched this woman before and she is so elegant. I loved pulling those colors for her skirt. I feel so grateful to live in a city like Atlanta, which is full of diversity. It makes for the best inspiration for me as an artist.

This woman ENJOYED the process so much. Some events I sketch with the person seated with me. Other times I work from photos. She was seated and in awe of every line and color I sketched. And her illustration was so fun to do!

When you live in a college football town, be prepared to sketch the college colors from time to time. I loved this sporty UGA fashion sketch! The pop of red really makes for a good fashion sketch.

One of my tricks I do for live sketching, is I have fashion forward poses I work from. I want every sketch to look like a fashion designer sketched you. It elevates every piece I draw. This pose I felt worked really well for this beautiful woman’s afro & white dress. She was SO fun to sketch.

This silver & black Prada look was so elegant. It was the first sketch of this event, and it gave me a lot of confidence for the 30 other pieces I sketched that afternoon for Neiman Marcus.

I thought this look was so fun and that bag! I hope you enjoyed a look at some of the styles I have sketched for events. If you’re interested in booking a live fashion sketching and illustration activation email jessillustration@gmail.com

Thanks!

Jess

Pre-Order Provence Chic, my artwork on the cover New York Times Best Selling Author Ines d la Fressange's newest book coming March 2027!

I am over the moon to share that my fashion illustration artwork was selected for the cover of Ines de la Fressange’s newest book: Provence Chic! Fressange is a New York Times best selling author, including her book Parisian Chic. I actually own the book, and love it. So it is SUCH an honor that my artwork was selected for this new book. There will also be a German translation version that my artwork was selected for and it’s a slighty different take art wise, and so fun! So I will be happy to share that too once it’s live.

Ines de la Fressange is a true Parisian style icon! She became the first model to sign an exclusive contract with a luxury brand, Chanel, and was Karl Lagerfeld's muse. So it is truly a very cool thing that my art was selected for her next book!

Here is a link to pre-order for March 2027 delivery, via Amazon:

https://shorturl.at/9nlcr

It’s also on Target for pre-order too here:

https://www.target.com/p/provence-chic-by-ines-de-la-fressange-sophie-gachet-paperback/-/A-1013107269?TCID=OGS&AFID=google&CPNG=Entertainment&adgroup=247-60

Funny enough, I actually brought the book Parisian Chic to my office, and kept it on my desk earlier this year and kept thinking “I think my art could be apart of a book like this”. And when the publishing house reached out to me for my art to be licensed and used for 2 of her book covers I was amazed! What you think about, and work for….can sometimes come true. We spend so much time worrying about what can go wrong, so try to think about what can go right in your life!

It’s been the story of my career. I always recommend reading The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron if you need help building confidence and envisioning your dreams. It changed how I felt about myself, and what I am capable of.

I thank Flammarion publishing for making this collaboration possible. These things never get old and show me that after a lifetime of making art related to fashion, travel and style I’m still as passionate as ever. And I’m so grateful for that!

Jess

Live Fashion Sketching for Jon Batiste Meet & Greet at the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta

This weekend I had the extreme pleasure of being able to live fashion sketch for an intimate Meet & Greet Event for Jon Batiste-the Grammy winning musician. The event was held at the beautiful Waldorf Astoria Atlanta. And it was in celebration of his new album releases! This event was for Hilton VIP clients, and I partnered with The Team agency for this event activation.

Jon had a Q & A portion, where he talked about his creative process, and his inspiration for Black Mozart.

Superfans getting to meet Jon in person, also got to get a handmade sketch!

Seeing happy guests with their sketches, always delights me! We had about 30 VIP guests at the event, and we created fashion illustrations with a grand piano in the backdrop.

Jon did his meet and greet photos right next to my desk, which was SO COOL!

I was lucky enough to get a hand signed album from Jon!!

Not every gig do you walk away with a Grammy award winning artist hand signed album!

A huge thanks to Hilton, The Team and Jon Batiste’s team for allowing me to come out and live fashion illustrate at such a special event. It truly is one for the books!

Jess

Live Fashion Sketches for a gorgeous bridal shower in Atlanta

I had the pleasure of live sketching in Atlanta this weekend, for a gorgeous bridal shower. The guests were radiant and I loved all the fabulous dresses & fits!

Give me 5 minutes and you’ll get a full color fashion illustration (with a face) when I live sketch in person!

I mean this is a look!! So so fun to sketch!

This was a crowd that showered me with appreciation and genuine excitement with receiving their fashion sketches. These are the events I walk away from on cloud nine.

This shower had many beautiful activations, which made the event more successful. From hand embroidered napkins, a craft cocktail bar, amazing food, and even a Caviar Cowboy!

Thank you to Maddie & Nicole for having me be apart of such a special and memorable day. I feel so in my element when I sketch live and honor the beautiful women & fashion fits! I was able to sketch around 35 guests in total for this event, which was the perfect flow. If you’re interested in having fashion sketching at your bridal shower, email jessillustration@gmail.com and thanks!

Jess

Brigitte Bardot themed class this month for Paint Club!

Paint Club continues with our Fashion Icon series (we have had Coco, Audrey and Grace Kelly as our first 3) to the French Style Icon Brigitte Bardot! You can join us later this month for our watercolor & mixed media workshop/online creative community on either August 26th at 3PM ET or August 27th at 7PM ET. The playback will be emailed to all students who can’t attend live. Tickets are in my shop right here:

https://jessicadurrant.com/new-shop?category=Paint+Club

As always, any level is welcome to join in. I strive to create lessons that are approachable and fun! I adore teaching Paint Club each month. It is a warm fuzzy feeling kinda place :) Here are some of the works I am creating leading up to class, to get my research & creative juices flowing.

I hope to see you there! I am having so much fun exploring each of these fashion icons and learning more about their fascinating lives.

Jess

Pencil, Pigment and Pixel: Drawing the Fashion Face my new course launching soon!

Have you ever struggled with drawing the face? Then my new course Pencil, Pigment and Pixel: Drawing the Face is just for you! Sign up to get on the waiting list now, and for an early-bird discount. This course will be launching later this year, so just click the link below to stay up to date on the launch:

https://www.waitlistcourse.com/jessillustrator

A little bit about this course I am creating is I am taking a highly requested subject and creating an in depth course that will be over 6 hours of content! You will learn to paint the fashion face with expression, color, and a little beautiful chaos added in ;)

My upcoming course, Pencil, Pigment & Pixel: Drawing the Fashion Face, is for anyone who wants to loosen their line, fall in love with watercolor, and create fashion illustrations that feel alive.

I’ll walk you through my full process, from the first graphite sketch to a finished piece showing how I capture a figure, build color, let paint bloom and drip, and add the details that give an illustration its mood. It will be a recorded course, so you can watch at your own convenience.

This course will teach you the fundamentals of drawing the face, plus I will be sharing how I create my emotive fashion illustrations layering mixed media. For a beautiful final product. So if you’ve been asking for this, I am finally bringing it ;)

If you have any questions just email jessillustration@gmail.com

Thank you for the support!

Jess