Hello friends! Today is Part Two of the four part series I?m writing about making patterns for use for fabric, wallpaper, home decor, etc. Last week was the introduction with a post about tools to know in Photoshop.
Today the topic is sourcing artwork for creating patterns. I?ll show you a few techniques I?ve used to create my own artwork, and some tools you can use in Photoshop to create your own. Also I?ll point you in the direction of a few places where you can purchase artwork with personal or extended licenses.

 
But before I get to creating and sourcing artwork, let?s look at sources of inspiration for pattern! I have hundreds of images I?ve saved in my pattern inspiration files. I see pattern everywhere I look. When I travel near and far, when I take a walk in nature, when I pop into a shop or bistro, in hotels and art galleries, in product design, in catalogs or fashion magazines. Pattern is everywhere if you look for it. I?m always snapping pictures of patterns I find inspiring.
For any beginning pattern maker, my best advice is to start gathering inspiration from sources that inspire you. Take pictures on outings, whatever pops out at you as interesting. Create a file or Pinterest board of those images and envision a pattern of your own creation using those sources as your inspiration!
Gathering inspiration and creating mood boards of patterns that speak to you is a great starting point, and essential to the creative process, but remember direct copying of ...