I challenged myself to design one fabric print a month this year. Since June is winding down, it was time to get to it. When I first started designing patterns I would sit with a blank page and start drawing. Since then I’ve changed my approach. Now when I’m designing, I go to my sketchbook and paintings and look for artwork I’ve already created that would work well as a repeating pattern.
I’m in a summer frame of mind, so I selected this painting of goggles. Click here to read the details of the steps I take to create a pattern in Photoshop.
I tried designing a pattern with the goggles before, but didn’t have success. This time, I had a new vision. I isolated the goggles, leaving only a little of the blue background and adjusted the colors to create the goggles in every color of the rainbow. I struggled a bit with how to get the design to repeat perfectly when the goggles were in a diagonal line. Sometimes I make things harder than they need to be. So, I revised the design to be a more organic placement and in doing so made it easier to create the repeat. I added a blue background color.Β I’m excited for the fabric swatch of this design to arrive!
So far my “Swimming Laps” design is my most popular one.
I recently reworked my Valentine squares to become a new “Pool Tile” design. The swatch of this design should be arriving any day.
Valentine’s Day Squares:
See all of my fabric print designs in my Spoonflower shop.
June 27, 2017 at 6:03 pm
Your patterns are so cute Eileen! π I know it’s fun to create patterns for fabrics, from time l had in my mind to give a try to Spoonflower, I like their idea and could be fun to do it on the side of my main art paintings! How do you like Spoonflower? Are you having a good experience with them? Keep creating your beautiful art! β€
June 29, 2017 at 9:22 pm
Thank you! I don’t know what it is but I love designing them. My only complaint about Spoonflower is there are so many designs on it. Although I guess that makes it sweeter when someone purchases one of mine π My Swimming Laps pattern is my most popular one so far. Do you sell originals of your paintings or prints? I’ve been so torn with this.
June 30, 2017 at 2:41 am
Thank you Eileen for us artists it is always so sweet when someone decide to own a painting that you made I feel that is very special! I sell Limited Edition Fine Art Prints, often Hand embellished, the original paintings if is a commission. π
June 30, 2017 at 7:31 am
Thank you – I’m finding it hard to part with originals and am exploring giclee prints.
June 30, 2017 at 3:29 pm
Yes it is the same for me I like to keep my Originals! Giclee prints are a good idea if you find the right place to have them done.
June 30, 2017 at 4:05 pm
I found a place close by, that’s been in business awhile and seem very professional. I’m going to give them a try.
June 30, 2017 at 6:34 pm
Nice! When you try it let me know how did it go! π