Still Creating Patterns

I have not posted for a while but I am still creating patterns.  And since I am posting and it's Tuesday, I should raise a cup to Elizabeth and her Tuesday gang over at T Stands for Tuesday. I've really been into ginger mint tea since I planted some mints in the backyard. I have found that with very little effor, I could have a very refreshing drink of mint water. Just add the fresh mint in a glass (or cup for me)and muddled it and then add ice water. But don't over muddle if not your water will taste "green". Yuck!

I don't post too much because I have a tendency to ramble on and it winds up taking me a LONG time to do one post. So I will keep this short with mostly pics, so I can spend the time visiting the T-gang instead.
Here's a couple that was sketched using Sketchbook Pro, then pattern created with Adobe Illustrator.

I've used mainly Adobe Illustrators to create my patterns but lately I have started to learn how to do it with Photoshop. The motifs can be a bit more painterly. It's a lot of fun as well.

First Patterns From The Class

Week 2 Day 4 of the Make It In Design class. I've learned how to use AI to make repeat patterns but Photoshop was my first. I used the motifs and marks from the class so far and make a pattern with PS.

Here's the pattern made with PS. I created a green background but the colors of the motifs were made by changing the layer mode and its opacity.

Pattern Created With PS

The class showed how to create patterns with both PS and AI. I figured I should do one in AI as well. I didn't really followed the instructions from the class since I had learned how to do repeat patterns in AI already. But I have the class notes and I will go back and read through the notes at some points. But right now just felt like playing around with pattern making.
Here's the first one.

Thought the colors on these two were a bit boring. So I used the Recolor Artwork feature and played with the colors. That was such a terrible idea because I wind up spending way too much time playing with that tool. After all that playing around, I did save one other version.

The two made with AI reminded me of the silk Chinese fabric that is used in traditional women dresses called Cheongsam or also known as qipao.
There are really a lot of very talented classmates in that design class. There is really so much energy and momentum in the class that you can't help but get swept along with it. I really need that. I am not sure if I am finding my style yet.  But definitely will keep going and see where it will lead me.






   

A Day Late - Design Class Day 2 and T-Day!

A bit late for Elizabeth's T for Tuesday but I thought I am still going to join and visit the rest of the gang. I like how diverse the group is in what everyone is doing. AND I really need the push for some discipline. Sorry I don't have my drink to share.
I mentioned that I started a pattern design class Monday. Yesterday's exercise was to discover shapes and drawing them. I spent a lot of time looking at everyone's work and started out really late last night. Finally got something put together this morning and posted it at the FB group. I think one of the reasons I kept looking at others work instead of doing my own is because I don't have a habit of sketching. I have never had any drawing classes. I've only read books and tutorials online to try to learn and this exercise is making me very uncomfortable. The other difficult thing was deciding what to draw/sketch. So going through my photos and picking something took quite a while. That was a stupid way to waste a lot of time. Another thing I have a hard time doing is simplify. I had to really concentrate and kept remembering the word "simplify" when I was sketching.  This is what I posted.

Oh and speaking of having problems deciding what to draw/sketch ... I am also taking the Introduction to Computational Arts: Visual Arts at coursera.org. Not sure why the fancy name since the material itself is just a beginner's Photoshop (and Gimp) class. Since I already know some of the PS features it's been a pretty easy (therefore fun) class until this last assignment. All the assignment said was to create something with images and text and use all the features that were taught. Oh and use your own photos. So with that wide open, I spent most of the time looking through my stash of photos and deciding what to do vs doing it! This is what I submitted. The subject line is lame but it met the assignment's criteria.

I like the last week's assignment much better. It was a lot more fun putting it together. I made a couple of versions.

But this is the one I submitted.

Well I better get going to see what Day 3's exercise and of course to go visit all the fine ladies at T for Tuesday.