Watercolor Without Fear: Painting for Pattern Design

This class teaches a low-risk, highly-flexible approach to watercolor painting for pattern design. Using small blocks of watercolor paper, I will show you how to work on a dynamic canvas and create your painting as a half-drop repeat.

 Following a step-by-step process, the class covers:

• Finding motifs
• Creating a color palette, keeping in mind trend and color research
• Composition, Storytelling and Flow
• Scale
• Sketching
• Layout and Color Thumbnails
• Painting, and
• Checking the repeat.

This class is for anyone who wants to work more freely with watercolor. Because the method uses small blocks of paper, it is easier to take risks and be more adventurous with your paint. If you’re tired of making small, neat watercolors… if you want to be less tentative with your paint… if there’s a wild painter inside you that longs to be set free, this class is for you. It is also for surface pattern designers who work digitally and want to have more hand-painted work in their portfolios.

This is a two-part class. In this, the first part, we will work up to, and including, the painting. In the second part ("Watercolor Without Fear: Painting for Pattern Design Part 2") I show you how to join your paintings in Photoshop, and create a repeating pattern tile. You will then have all the skills you need to turn your paintings into patterns for fabric, wallpaper and beyond.

If you’re completely new to watercolor then it’s a good idea to check out my class: “Principles of Watercolor: Learn to Paint a Torch-Ginger Flower” first, as this will give you a solid intro on how to use watercolor paints.

 Part 2 of this class shows you how to join up your panels in Photoshop and create your repeating pattern! 

Watch it now: Watercolor Without Fear: Painting for Pattern Design Part 2

• Introduction
• Project
• Materials
• Finding Your Motifs
• Creating a Secret Pinterest Board
• Choosing a Color Palette
• Preparing Color Swatches
• Recoloring Your Source Images
• Composition, Storytelling & Flow
• Scale
• Sketching Your Motifs
• Layout and Color Thumbnails
• Painting Baby, Yeah
• Checking the Repeat
• Conclusion