Learning surface pattern design
Well here I am at the end of week 1 of my creative pilgrimage (if you don’t know about that yet - catch up here). It was an absolutely AMAZING week because I sold 3 original paintings through a beautiful store in Adelaide called Her Name Was Nola. Massive thank you to Sarah who saw something special in my work and asked me to paint for her store. This here my friends is where the magic of social media does come in and I’m so thankful for the meaningful connections I have made in that space. Forget the algorithm, forget the 1000s of weirdos trying to buy nfts, and focus on the genuine souls that you meet and all of a sudden sharing on social media becomes a blessing, not a chore. But I digress, back to what I was going to discuss today.
I have begun learning surface pattern design! It’s been a bit of a dream of mine to offer surface design as part of my fine art business for a while now as I think it’s just the perfect place for my watercolour florals - I hope you agree! It’s been a slow venture though as I juggle single mum life, part time radiography life and part time artist life all in one. But with little steps forward each day, I am starting to see the fruits of my labour.
One of the patterns in my very first collection ~ wildflowers.
The next step I embarked on this week with my design work was learning the history of patterns. Again thanks to social media, I stumbled across Bärbel Dressler. She has the most amazing courses on Skillshare! She teaches so thoroughly and in a way that’s really easy to absorb. Considering I completed the lessons in between caring for my 5 year old son who had his tonsils & adenoids removed last week (poor baby), I was able to do 5 minutes here and there and not end up confused or overwhelmed.
I began my learning with damask patterns. Not sure why I started there, I think I just felt drawn to understanding the development of the symmetry and style in the work. Being self taught and a creature of habit, I did find I couldn’t follow Bärbel’s drawing methods, but she does provide a pdf with the finished motifs which I then re-drew with my own methods for drawing. One thing I did invest in was some brush pens! Which arrived today - nothing more exciting than art supplies in the mail I must say.
So why am I bothering to study traditional pattern making techniques? Well I want to expand my knowledge and the resources I have at my disposal to then insert my own style and approach in to the beautiful frameworks that artists have laid down before me. Bärbel comments on the way patterns have evolved over the 1000s of years of human civilisation and that artists today are contributing to that continual evolution. I think that is just such a beautiful thought to hold while working away in the studio.
As a fun little experiment - have a look around your home and see what patterns you have surrounding you? On your bedspread? On your cushions? Tea towels? It can be such a wonderful way to add individuality and that touch of something special to your space by adding a pattern that really speaks to you and makes you happy every time you look at it.
Have a beautiful week,
Sarah x