Deconstructing patterns

I found some patterns that I am drawn to and have been deconstructing them and taking note on how they are put together. Looking at colours, motifs and styles. 

 

Shapes around us

Noticing shapes around us.

Exercise pt 1: Photographing shapes.

I chose circles! 
I am now noticing shapes everywhere, so will keep photographing them when I can. 

Exercise pt 2: Drawing shapes

I found some leaves that I found interesting and I have been drawing them. I am noticing shapes and patterns within the leaves themselves and drawing them in different ways. 

Just for Fun

Today we were set a little 'Just for fun' project. To create a stripey, spotty or circular pattern.

I did a stripey and a circular pattern from bits I found in my studio.

Was a really fun little task to do and showed how patterns can be made with really basic techniques. 

 

 

Inspiration - Around me

I have taken some photos of patterns occurring naturally around me.

 

 

Inspiration - Lucienne Day

Lucienne Day with Three Daughters of Mexico at the RCA
Photo: © twentytwenty

Big Circle carpet 1963

 

Black Leaf tea towel 1959

 

Dandelion Clocks furnishing fabric 1953

 

I really find myself gravitating towards Lucienne Days patterns. I really like the patterns with the plant icons, where they look somewhat geometric and structural. 

I also really love the abstract patterns that have a slight tribal feel. I especially love that vibrant pink against the mustard and browns in the 'Three Daughters of Mexico'.

 

 

Riga

 

This is quite a simple design but made to look much more detailed with the addition of textures between the stripes. 

 

 

 

The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design - Module 1

Earlier this year I took the plunge and signed myself up for 'The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design' online course. I will be doing Modules 1, 2 and 3 (Hopefully module 4 at a later date)
I have been waiting patiently for months and finally today is the first day of Module 1! 

I am so excited. I found myself earlier this year at a real low point and decided that I needed something to look forward to but also something that would stir up my creativity. 
I love my work and the jobs that I get but sitting in my little studio on my own (with the exception of a certain spaniel on occasion) I find myself getting stumped creatively. It has been a few years since leaving uni and I wanted something to stir things up! 
I have always loved patterns. I think subconsciously I love them more than I realised until now. I have used found patterns and textures within my illustrations for years (I am an avid wallpaper sample collector. I have draws full of different wallpaper samples as I find the scraps of patterns so inspiring! The staff at the DIY shops must think I have one crazily decorated house!)
I played a little bit with making patterns at the very end of my degree when I made a pattern for the end papers for my childrens book for my final major project. I even got it made into a fabric sample (which I never saw again after my degree show, I wonder if someone used it to make a pillow) but I never really thought any more of it.

I got a job at a party company making sugar cake decorations. A few months in I started doing some design work for them. Nothing like I had ever done before but I agreed to do it as I love design and I love a challenge! 
I was designing a lot of products for them. Thinking about it now... it was surface pattern design really! I designed cake stands, cupcake wrappers, balloons, packaging. I loved seeing my designs on products in the real world!

When I found out about Rachel and Beth's lovely course I couldn't not join in!
It looked like the perfect course and came at the perfect time for me. 

Learning about Surface Pattern design! 

So Module 1 is about exploring your creativity and getting back to basics. Perfect.
I always find myself putting so much pressure on myself for my doodles to look perfect or fit in to a certain theme. This module will allow me to let it all go and just draw and create whatever I feel like at the time. 

One of my big problems is that I don't show my work. I have so many illustrations that I create and never end up showing! So silly when I think about it. 

I will be showing my progress and also inspirations throughout the course, on here and on twitter and instagram. 
I am excited to see where this takes me.