Putting a new pattern collection together
From drawing motifs, colouring, and then creating the patterns, a new collection can take me up to six weeks to complete. In this blog, I will share a behind-the-scenes look at my latest collection called Tea Tree Blossoms, which features motifs that I had drawn 8 years ago!
When creating a collection, I do the following:
- Select a theme
- Draw all the motifs needed
- Choose a colour palette
- Scan motifs and digitally paint in Procreate and/or Photoshop
- Create the patterns in Photoshop
When I started this collection, I had already decided on the theme and the colour palette. The theme came from motifs I had drawn 8 years ago. I was learning how to manually create a repeat pattern using paper and a pen as part of a diploma in surface design. I chose to draw a series of teapots, and this drawing has stayed in my scan folder ever since. I have used several teapots in other illustrations and collections, but not all as the central motif.
Jumping a year ahead, and having moved to New Zealand, I only had a sketchbook and some pencils (while our belongings were on the boat), so I decided to draw some tea cups. This drawing, I didn't even ink or scan for another six months.
A collection is composed of a hero pattern, a coordinate, and a blender. The hero is what the name suggests - it is the main pattern in the collection and the most complex. When looking at the teapots and teacups, I didn't think it was suitable for the main hero design, and came up with the idea of a tea tree (in this instance, a literal tea tree made up of a teapot and teacup growing on a tree). Using reference photos downloaded from unsplash, I sketched additional flower motifs and leaves. See below for an example of these sketches.
Once I had all my motifs, I chose a colour palette and started colouring them in Procreate and Photoshop. Every kettle and cup (even if they match the kettle) has a unique design. A few of these designs were then used as the basis for the coordinates and blender patterns. The drawing and colouring of motifs takes the most time. It is also my favourite part of putting a collection together.
Making the patterns can take longer than expected. In this collection, I created 5 patterns.
Two hero patterns
Two coordinates and one Blender
When I created the hero patterns, I used pattern templates by Lisa Glanz. If interested, you can see me use one of the templates in this YouTube Video. For the remainder of the patterns in the collection, I used the diamond method and the pattern preview tool in Photoshop.
I hope you enjoyed a look at how I put together a collection. Tea Tree Blossoms is available for purchase on wallpaper and/or fabric from my Spoonflower shop, and is also available to license.