Dena Cooper

With a background in fashion design, Dena is now a leading New York illustrator with a growing list of industry clients. Transplanted into Brooklyn from Fredricksburg, Virginia, she loves New York and Fashion Week in particular. “I’m very influenced by street style that I see around the city, specifically the effortless chic that so many New Yorkers exude walking down the street.” Dena studied Fashion Illustration at Radford University in Virginia, and her influences include Marchesa, Dior, Delpozo, and Viktor & Rolf.

Approach

One of Dena’s images begins with a pencil study based on references, complete with in-depth shading and detail. Then she’ll bring in watercolour, gouache, ink and/or coloured pencils to enhance colour, shading and value in the composition. Finally, she cleans it up in Photoshop, adding splashes, marks and backgrounds, before delivering it digitally to the client. Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Fresco, Procreate.

Style

Dena delivers a softer version of the truth, with bursts of realism and blooms of paint bringing an element of artistry the camera just can’t capture. Photorealism, with washes of colour and splatter add to the fun and character of a piece.

Awards

2020 FIDA Commercial Fashion Illustration Award