This is Part 2 of my class “Watercolor Without Fear: Painting for Pattern Design”. In Part 1 I share my process of painting a half-drop repeat pattern using watercolors – from concept to finished painting.
In this class (Part 2), I share my process of digitising the painting and creating the half-drop repeat pattern using Adobe Photoshop.
Following a step-by-step process, the class covers:
• Scanning your artwork – what scanner I use, resolutions, file types
• The two main tools I use to join paintings together, and to separate the foreground motifs from the background (it’s amazing how much you can do with just two tools!)
• Fixing the top and bottom seams to create the vertical repeat
• Fixing the side seams to create the horizontal repeat (hint – with my method of moving blocks around from Part 1, this part is super easy!)
• Testing your pattern and checking for any errors
• Building out your final pattern tile, creating alternative colorways, and preparing it for uploading to Spoonflower.
By the end of the class you will have a step by step process to turn your own beautiful paintings into half-drop repeat patterns for use on fabric, wallpaper and even murals!
