This time, as part 2 of "How to Color Fabric Wrinkles," we'll put it into practice using a skirt and curtains as our subjects. The same line art used in the video is available on the official Nuri-Iro site as either a downloadable version or pre-printed line art — pick whichever suits your needs.
1. Wrinkle Basics (Recap)
Picture a cross-section of the fabric from the side: the gradient goes darker toward the bottom and lighter toward the top. The "wrinkle lines" in the line art mainly fall into these two patterns.
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Pattern A (light/dark boundary)
Across the line, make one side dark and the other side light (either left/right or top/bottom). -
Pattern B (shadow core)
When the line represents the darkest point, color it so that the darkness is centered on the line and gradually lightens outward.
With real fabric, you'll often use A and B together.
2. How to Color a Skirt
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Keep a sense of unity
Even if the skirt's wrinkle lines look broken up, they're all part of the same continuous piece of fabric. Extend the shadow a bit past the line to keep that connection in mind. -
Read the undulation of the hem
Use the wavy shape of the hem as your guide: the parts that come up = light, getting darker toward the line.
In this case, the line marks the darkest point, so treat it with Pattern B, adding darkness on both sides. -
Depth (front-to-back relationships)
Since there's depth running from the center outward to each side, the parts further back (to either side) should be darker than the center. Staggering the darkness according to position adds a stronger sense of volume. -
Judging by the design
Depending on the skirt's design, some areas will call for Pattern A. For example, small gathered wrinkles near the waist work well with Pattern A — light on the right, dark on the left. -
Layering and texture
Add a very faint touch of color even to the bright areas for a smooth gradient.
Layer yellow-green → green to add depth of color, and keep the waist area flat for a glossy finish.
For the darkest areas, apply black with a "light touch" so it doesn't come out too strong.
3. How to Color Curtains
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Reading the sag
The curve of the line art at the top tells you where the fabric sags. The center of each sag (the part closest to you) is bright. -
Around the tassel
Just like with a ribbon, wrinkles concentrate and darken where the fabric is gathered. Because of the overlapping and pulling there, Pattern A — dark on one side of the line, light on the other — works well. -
Assume a light source
If you assume light enters from the window toward the center, then the overall piece is bright in the center and darker on both sides. Apply this thinking both to the large overall shape and to each individual sag. -
Specific coloring breakdown
The recessed wrinkle lines at the top use Pattern B, dark on both sides.
The wrinkle lines above the tassel use Pattern A (dark on one side, light on the other).
Draw the wrinkles a bit longer than the line art, making the right side slightly darker to emphasize depth.
Add shadow below the tassel too, with a gradient dark on the right, light on the left. -
Layering colors
Lay down black lightly and gently, then layer blue over it to blend it in so the black doesn't stand out.
Add a light touch of light blue to the bright areas too for a cohesive look, and finish the left side the same way. -
Wrapping it up
The curtain comes together with a mix of Pattern B for the sag at the top and Pattern A around the tassel and at the bottom.
4. Tips for Observation
If this feels difficult, try observing fabric or clothing around you.
Get in the habit of noticing where the lines fall and which side of a line goes dark (or light), and you'll soon be able to judge A vs. B instantly — letting you color all kinds of fabric.
5. Summary
Over these two parts, we've covered the concepts and coloring methods for fabric wrinkles.
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Pattern A: the line = a light/dark boundary (dark on one side, light on the other)
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Pattern B: the line = the shadow's core (darkest in the center, lighter outward)
Practice coloring this again and again until it becomes second nature. Please share your thoughts and requests in the comments, and we'd love for you to post your finished pieces to "Everyone's Coloring" on the official Nuri-Iro site. Thank you for reading!