Bringing Fabric to Paper: How I Blend Textiles into My Illustrations

One of my favourite parts of creating art is finding unexpected ways to add texture, depth, and a little bit of magic to my work. Over the years, I've developed a process that blends the tactile beauty of textiles with traditional illustration — and today, I’m pulling back the curtain to share exactly how it all comes together.

It all starts with a simple pencil sketch. There’s something about the immediacy of pencil on paper that helps me get ideas out of my head and into the world. I’ll often sketch loosely at first, allowing the shapes and lines to flow naturally before refining the details.

Once I'm happy with the sketch, I move on to ink. I love using fluid drawing inks because they bring a richness and unpredictability that can’t quite be replicated with other tools. Sometimes, especially when I want a cleaner or more controlled look, I’ll work in Procreate instead, using its wide range of brushes to mimic traditional media while still having the flexibility of digital editing.

The real magic, though, happens when I start bringing fabric into the mix.

I’ve always been fascinated by textiles — the colours, the textures, the stories woven into every thread. To incorporate this love into my illustrations, I manually scan fabrics I find, whether it’s a scrap from a vintage dress, a beautiful piece of upholstery, or a patterned scarf picked up on my travels. I also spend time searching online for interesting patterns and textures, always on the lookout for something that sparks an idea.

Once I’ve gathered my fabric “library,” I digitally collage the pieces into my illustrations. I carefully layer, mask, and blend them into the drawing, making sure the textiles enhance the artwork rather than overwhelm it. Sometimes I use fabric to fill in clothing or backgrounds; other times, it's just a small detail — a hint of texture that adds richness without stealing the show.

Every piece I create this way feels like a little patchwork of ideas, inspirations, and memories. Blending fabric with illustration allows me to play with contrast — the soft and tactile against the crisp and graphic — and I love how it brings a sense of life and personality to each piece.

It’s a process that feels endlessly creative and evolving, and I can’t imagine making art any other way.