david downton

1. A photograph of the artist

david downton

this is DAVID DOWNTON INTERVIEWED

BY TONY GLENVILLE

How did you become a fashion illustrator?
I am not really sure. I didn't set out to become one. It happened very gradually. I spent about 15 years as a freelance illustrator taking on whatever came in - and enjoying it too. Sometimes, because of my style of drawing I was asked to produce fashion images- but I think during that time I covered almost every subject matter. From children's books to a sex manual. My first job was a cover for Which Computer magazine in the early 80's.

What triggered your move into fashion illustration - was there something specific?
Absolutely. In 1996 I was sent to draw at the Paris haute couture shows for a magazine. Like most illustrators I sit listening to Radio 4 with an angle poise for company, so I was very excited to get out of the studio - and a paid trip to Paris sounded good to me.

What makes an interesting fashion subject?
I think the most important thing is the sense of the body in the clothes. After that, proportion, colour, a detail. Anything can catch the eye - but what is interesting in fashion terms isn't necessarily what makes a good drawing and vice versa.

Lets talk about your work methods. How do you arrive at the elimination of detail?
For me this is the hardest and the most interesting thing. In order to leave something out, first you have to put it in, or at least understand how every thing works. I do dozens of drawings on to layout paper taking the best from each one as I go. When the drawing looks right I start to eliminate, to de-construct if you like. I keep working until it looks spontaneous.

What about the illustrators of today?
That's harder but there are probably half a dozen strong, inpidual fashion illustrators in the world today who have anything like the panache of those I have mentioned, not many.

2.An image of the artist's most famous or best works.

3.Why did you choose this artist?

i would share some information on one of my favorite artists, david downton.

i am very interested in fashion illustration, and he is a very talented UK-based fashion illustrator, whose work i find to be absolutely stunning.

it is the lack of lines and lack of certain, expected elements that makes his art so unique.

France Fashion Couture Watch
The fine jewelry world’s annual collections are dazzlingly unveiled on the last day of haute couture fall-winter shows each year. Dior’s sparkling collection at avenue Montaigne cleverly reinterpreted...

France Fashion Couture Watch
The fine jewelry world’s annual collections are dazzlingly unveiled on the last day of haute couture fall-winter shows each year. Dior’s sparkling collection at avenue Montaigne cleverly reinterpreted...

epaselect FRANCE PARIS FASHION WEEK
Paris Haute Couture fashion shows run until 22 January 2014. EPA/HENDRIK BALLHAUSEN