Teya Bozhilova

Illustration By Teya Bozhilova 

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED AND HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED THERE?
I was born in Bulgaria where I presently live. It’s a beautiful small country in South Eastern Europe. We have a lovely sea, high mountain lakes and winter resorts. I’ve also lived in Spain.

HOW DID YOU BECOME A FASHION ILLUSTRATOR?
It sounds funny, but I discovered that the profession existed after I’d completed my first degree in Fashion Design. The decision to become a fashion illustrator came when I witnessed how many talented colleagues failed to get the recognition they deserved because of lack of drawing skills. I knew that my ability I could help make their ideas shine through.

WHAT QUALITIES DO DRAWINGS HAVE THAT PHOTOGRAPHY OR FILM DON’T?
I love and respect all types of art and I don’t put one over another. Illustration is just different from photography because in order to illustrate a design you just need an idea while in order to photograph it, you need to get your idea manufactured in advance.

WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START THE WEBSITE, I DRAW FASHION?
I Draw Fashion was launched on August 16, 2011. My idea was to create a place that I wish existed while I was learning to draw. From the many books in my library none of them actually guided me step-by-step to the final result. I learned the hard way and I wanted to save other artists that time and frustration.

WHAT’S YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND?
I have BA in Fashion Design and MA in Illustration. I’ve also taken classes in Brand Management, Photography and Animation. When I was 14, my parents hired a private tutor to teach me how to paint using the long-established methods. So yes, I know how to draw vases with flowers and landscapes; I find it more interesting to illustrate ladies with long legs wearing nice designs instead.

WHAT’S IT LIKE WORKING AS A FREELANCE ILLUSTRATOR?
As many freelancers would probably agree, it’s both easy, and more difficult than having a nine-to-five working day. It’s easier because you can work whenever you get inspired. The client wants the illustration done and doesn’t really care if you are drawing it in the middle of night. At the same time it’s hard because you don’t have a fixed salary every month and you have to learn to be good at time-management which is challenging for many artists.

WHAT TECHNIQUES DO YOU USE?
I used to draw with markers the traditional way but now I use digital programs and a Wacom tablet to create my illustrations. It’s quicker and the illustrations still look like they’re drawn with markers, aquarelle or any other media.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU GET UP TO?
I’m currently working on my first e-book with tutorials on how to draw fashion sketches and templates. It should be ready by the end of the year and hopefully one day it will be published in book format, too.

WHICH ARTISTS INSPIRE YOU?
I admire the work of Jason Brooks and Arturo Elena. I also find inspiration in pinup art and comics. My style of drawing is a mix of fashion illustration and the mentioned artistic expressions.

HAVE YOU HAD TIME TO FOLLOW UP ON THE CURRENT FASHION SEASON AND HAVE YOU SEEN ANYTHING YOU’D WEAR NEXT FALL?
Marsala, Pantone Colour of 2015, is so feminine and stylish to me that I won’t only buy a dress in the shade, I’ll also incorporate it in my new illustrations together with the other colours and trends I love.