How To Draw Shoes From The 1920s: Capturing Vintage Style

How do you draw shoes from the 1920s? Drawing shoes from the 1920s involves capturing their distinct styles, like Mary Janes, T-straps, and Art Deco heels. This tutorial will guide you through creating vintage shoe illustrations, focusing on key features and drawing techniques.

The Roaring Twenties—a time of flappers, jazz, and revolutionary fashion. The shoes of this era were just as iconic as the clothes, reflecting a newfound sense of freedom and style. This guide will show you how to create your own 1920s footwear drawing tutorial, capturing the essence of vintage shoe illustration and the elegance of the period.

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The Allure of 1920s Shoes

1920s footwear wasn’t just about function; it was a statement. Characterized by rounded toes, straps, and decorative elements, these shoes exuded sophistication and a playful spirit. The Art Deco influence, with its geometric shapes and clean lines, played a significant role in the design.

• Key Features:
  • Rounded toes
  • Straps (single, T-strap, or multiple)
  • Cuban heels (slightly curved) or straight, block heels
  • Embellishments: Buttons, buckles, bows, and beadwork
  • Materials: Leather, suede, satin, often in shades of black, white, beige, and metallic tones

Gathering Inspiration for Your 1920s Shoe Drawing

Before you start sketching, take time to research. Search for images of authentic 1920s shoes online, in books, or at museums. Study the shapes, proportions, and details of different styles. This groundwork will help you create accurate and compelling vintage shoe illustration.

Resources for Research

• Online Archives: Costume galleries, vintage clothing websites.
• Museum Collections: Fashion exhibits, historical footwear displays.
• Fashion History Books: Publications specializing in 20th-century fashion.

Essential Tools for Your Art Deco Shoe Sketch

You don’t need fancy equipment to create beautiful 1920s footwear drawings. Here’s a list of basic tools to get you started:

• Pencils: HB for sketching, 2B or 4B for darker lines.
• Eraser: Kneaded eraser for lifting graphite, regular eraser for clean lines.
• Paper: Sketchbook or drawing paper.
• Ruler: For straight lines and geometric details.
• Optional: Fine liner pens, colored pencils, watercolors, or digital drawing tools.

Step-by-Step: Drawing a 1920s Mary Jane

Let’s begin with a classic: the Mary Jane. Follow these steps for drawing historical footwear that’s simple but stylish:

Step 1: Basic Outline

1. Shoe Shape: Lightly sketch the overall shape of the shoe. Think of a rounded form that tapers slightly towards the heel.
2. Heel: Add a small, block or Cuban heel. In the 1920s, heels were typically lower than modern heels.
3. Strap Placement: Indicate the position of the strap across the instep.

Step 2: Refining the Shape

1. Toe Detail: Round out the toe area, making sure it’s smooth and symmetrical.
2. Heel Shape: Refine the heel, making it slightly curved (Cuban heel) or straight (block heel).
3. Strap Detail: Define the shape of the strap, adding a small buckle or button detail.

Step 3: Adding Details to Your Flapper Shoe Drawing

1. Seams and Stitching: Add subtle lines to indicate seams and stitching around the shoe.
2. Buckle/Button: Draw the buckle or button on the strap, adding small details to make it look realistic.
3. Sole: Indicate the sole of the shoe, adding a slight thickness to the bottom edge.

Step 4: Shading and Texture

1. Light Source: Decide where your light is coming from.
2. Shading: Use light shading to create depth and dimension. Focus on the curves of the shoe and the heel.
3. Texture: Add subtle texture to the leather or fabric using short, light strokes.

Step 5: Final Touches for Your 1920s Fashion Illustration Shoes

1. Outline: Darken the main outlines of the shoe to make it stand out.
2. Erase: Erase any unnecessary guidelines or smudges.
3. Review: Step back and review your drawing, making any final adjustments.

Drawing a 1920s T-Strap Shoe: A Tutorial

The T-strap shoe was another popular style in the 1920s. Here’s how to illustrate antique shoes with this design:

Step 1: Basic Shape

1. Shoe Body: Sketch the main body of the shoe, similar to the Mary Jane but slightly more open on the sides.
2. Heel: Add a block or Cuban heel.
3. Strap Placement: Indicate the T-strap, with one strap running vertically from the toe to the instep and another crossing horizontally.

Step 2: Refining the Shape

1. Toe: Round the toe area, ensuring it aligns with the style of the era.
2. Straps: Define the shape of the T-strap, ensuring the vertical strap is centered and the horizontal strap connects neatly.
3. Heel: Refine the heel shape, making it proportionate to the shoe.

Step 3: Adding Details

1. Seams: Add fine lines to indicate the seams and construction of the shoe.
2. Buckle: Draw a small buckle where the horizontal strap connects.
3. Sole: Indicate the sole with a defined line, giving the shoe a grounded appearance.

Step 4: Shading and Texture

1. Light Source: Determine the direction of your light source.
2. Shading: Add subtle shading to the curves and contours of the shoe, creating depth.
3. Texture: Use light strokes to add texture to the leather or fabric, enhancing realism.

Step 5: Final Touches for Drawing Historical Footwear

1. Outline: Darken the main outlines to make the shoe pop.
2. Erase: Clean up any stray lines or smudges.
3. Review: Take a final look and make any necessary adjustments.

Steps for Drawing 1920s Heels

Heels in the 1920s were unique. They often had a Cuban or block shape, offering both style and comfort. Here’s how to draw them effectively:

Cuban Heel

1. Basic Shape: Start with a slightly curved, wedge-like shape.
2. Refinement: Define the curve, making it smooth and elegant.
3. Attachment: Show how the heel attaches to the shoe, ensuring it looks sturdy.
4. Shading: Add shading to emphasize the curve and create depth.

Block Heel

1. Basic Shape: Draw a straight, rectangular block.
2. Refinement: Ensure the lines are clean and the shape is consistent.
3. Attachment: Show a clean connection between the heel and the shoe.
4. Shading: Add shading to give the heel a solid, grounded appearance.

Adding Embellishments to Your 1920s Shoes

Embellishments were crucial in 1920s shoe design. Here are some common details and how to draw them:

Buttons

1. Circles: Draw small circles to represent the buttons.
2. Details: Add tiny details like stitching around the edges.
3. Placement: Position buttons evenly along the strap or shoe body.

Buckles

1. Rectangle: Draw a small rectangle.
2. Details: Add a central bar and loops to show the buckle mechanism.
3. Placement: Place the buckle on the strap, ensuring it looks functional.

Bows

1. Loops: Draw two loops that form the bow.
2. Knot: Add a knot in the center.
3. Details: Add folds and creases to make the bow look realistic.

Beadwork

1. Patterns: Lightly sketch the pattern you want to create with the beads.
2. Individual Beads: Draw small circles or dots to represent individual beads.
3. Shading: Add subtle shading to make the beads appear three-dimensional.

Tips for Capturing the 1920s Aesthetic

Here are some additional tips to help you nail the 1920s aesthetic in your shoe drawings:

Proportion

• Pay attention to proportions. 1920s shoes typically had lower heels and more rounded toes than modern shoes.

Materials

• Consider the materials. Leather, suede, and satin were common. Reflect these materials through your shading and texture.

Color Palette

• Use a limited color palette. Black, white, beige, and metallic tones were popular.

Art Deco Influence

• Incorporate Art Deco elements, such as geometric shapes and clean lines, into your designs.

Context

• Consider the context. Think about the flapper era and the sense of freedom and modernity that characterized the time.

Digital Drawing: Illustrating Antique Shoes on a Tablet

If you prefer digital art, you can follow the same steps on a drawing tablet. Digital tools offer advantages like easy corrections and a wide range of brushes and colors.

Software

• Procreate: User-friendly and versatile.
• Adobe Photoshop: Industry-standard with advanced features.
• Clip Studio Paint: Popular among illustrators and comic artists.

Tips for Digital Drawing

• Layers: Use layers to separate different elements of your drawing.
• Brushes: Experiment with different brushes to achieve various textures and effects.
• Color Palette: Create a custom color palette with vintage-inspired colors.
• Reference Images: Keep your reference images handy for accurate details.

The Role of 1920s Shoes in Fashion Illustration

Shoes are an integral part of any fashion illustration. They can complete a look, add character, and tell a story. When drawing 1920s fashion, pay special attention to the footwear to ensure it complements the overall style.

Posing and Composition

• Consider the pose of your figure and how the shoes interact with the clothing.
• Pay attention to composition, ensuring the shoes are visible and well-integrated into the scene.

Style and Context

• Ensure the style of the shoes matches the overall aesthetic of your illustration.
• Think about the occasion and the type of event the character might be attending.

Practice Exercises for 1920s Footwear Drawing Tutorial

To improve your skills, try these practice exercises:

Recreate Existing Designs

• Find images of authentic 1920s shoes and try to recreate them as accurately as possible.

Experiment with Different Styles

• Draw various types of 1920s shoes, such as Mary Janes, T-straps, and Oxfords.

Add Embellishments

• Practice drawing different embellishments, such as buttons, buckles, bows, and beadwork.

Create Your Own Designs

• Design your own 1920s-inspired shoes, incorporating elements you’ve learned from your research.

Resources for Further Learning How to Illustrate Antique Shoes

Here are some resources to deepen your knowledge and skills:

• Books: Books on fashion history, drawing techniques, and Art Deco design.
• Online Courses: Platforms like Skillshare, Udemy, and Domestika offer courses on fashion illustration and drawing.
• Tutorials: YouTube channels and blogs with drawing tutorials and tips.
• Communities: Online forums and social media groups where you can share your work and get feedback from other artists.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What makes 1920s shoes unique? 1920s shoes stand out due to their rounded toes, straps (like Mary Janes and T-straps), lower heels (Cuban or block), and decorative details like buttons, buckles, bows, and beadwork. The Art Deco influence with geometric shapes is also a key feature.

• Can I use modern drawing tools for vintage shoe illustration? Yes, you can. Whether you prefer traditional tools like pencils and paper or digital tools like drawing tablets and software, the techniques remain adaptable.

• What are some common mistakes to avoid when drawing 1920s shoes? Common mistakes include using overly modern heel heights, neglecting the rounded toe shape, and skipping the signature straps and embellishments that define the era’s footwear.

• How do I add texture to my shoe drawings? Use short, light strokes to mimic the texture of materials like leather, suede, or satin. Vary the pressure and direction of your strokes to create depth and realism.

• Where can I find reference images for 1920s shoes? You can find reference images online through costume galleries, vintage clothing websites, and museum collections. Fashion history books also provide valuable visual references.

By following this comprehensive tutorial, you’ll be well on your way to creating stunning 1920s shoe drawings that capture the elegance and spirit of this iconic era.