I love how brutally honest you are. The truth hurts sometimes, but I feel like you have taught me so much. Thank you. Also, great tip on tracing over an image to make it not look so stiff. I’m definitely downloading that guide you have linked 👍
Love your honesty! I've looked at so many surface pattern workshops nothing as straight forward as your demonstration. Thank you so much...plus you have so much information
Excellent video!!!! You clarified one of my biggest doubts with the flat backgrounds and my watercolor motifs, I'm happy !! Thank you very much Elizabeth!
Thank you for such an informative video! I am new to the topic of surface design - about 30 minutes ago, actually - and I found this very interesting both in terms of mistakes and possibilities! Thanks again.
omg thank you! please make more videos like this, there were some little things i didn't even think about before, like the texture thing for example, now i totally see it, make more of these videos im dying to learn here, i am fairly new to surface pattern design (normally i do illustration and also web design) and these are really helpful tips
This is great! I’m working on my first collection and have no clue what I’m doing. 😆 But I definitely need to add background textures behind my hand painted motifs. Hope I can make a good texture that repeats well.
Such a great video thank you! I am having a lot of these issues, and knew there were issues, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it so I didn't know how to fix them. This has been incredibly helpful thank you!!
I feel like some of this is in personal taste. I actually loved the “loose” floral sample you showed that was one of your earlier pieces. It felt organic and is colors I love.
You're right, at the end of the day all art is subjective so while these tips are based on some common feedback I hear and the differences I can see between the work of new designers and what's in stores, it definitely is a matter of taste.
6:16 when you say “put them into a toss” is there a “toss” shortcut on a program you are using that randomly disperses your motifs, or you are just “tossing” the motifs around individually by hand? I am hoping it’s the latter and there isn’t some quick toss button I’ve been missing all this time lol 😂
Don't worry! it's the latter! Tossing by hand...sorry to make it sound so easy- you do still have to space and turn and adjust to make it look lovely :)
Hi! I loved this content! Very educational and straight forward. If I could make one suggestion maybe it would be to perhaps include a few clips of the drawing process, so the video gets a bit more dynamic and less like a presentation. But then again, is just a suggestion. I really appreciate the time you put on doing this, cause it was very informative and it helps me building a more critic vision of my own art
Great suggestion, I make a lot of my videos (especially the older ones) at night because COVID had my kids running around my house all day, so after bedtime the lighting for filming was not on my side :)
This is good advice and I love that you provided examples. I had to laugh a little at the dandelion example though because I actually quite like the first one. That’s not to say the second pattern wasn’t stronger in many ways, just thought I’d let you know I think the first one is cute too.
I hear ya, at the end of the day art is totally subjective so there's always going to be a few people who prefer my "Don't's" over my "Do's" and that's okay! Thanks for your input!
Thank you for your help! I thought your froggies pattern was very cute for a toddler's room. 😌 I would have made the lily pads more round though. Thanks for the examples too.
@@ElizabethSilver Do you have a frog pattern that is more professional to you that I could view so I can compare? I see now that your lily pads are heart-shaped. You probably planned that. 😊
Number 4!! This has been a big hurdle for me as an artist that works with watercolour and gouache. I've had to develop methods for making the background work. I sometimes us a watercolour swatch that I've made seamless, and change it's colour. Or multiply the background with a scanned texture. Fun times!! Great vid.
I'm so happy to hear you be honest about whether someone should be able to draw. Because those who are selling courses Big Time keep telling potential students that they don't need to be able to draw!! And they're just trying to sell their classes and it really annoys. As someone who's been an artist all her life I kind of resent all those people going into design who are not artists. And the big sellers of classes in surface pattern design are making buco bucks off every man and his sister. 🤣😃🙂 (But not from me!)
Literally the best video on explaining surface design pattern!! For texture patterns, do you recommend making FX with illustrator or you make it with paint?
Thank you so much! So glad you found this helpful! I do both honestly...depends on the type of look I'm going for. I have a lot of textured brushes and vector distress patterns I've puchased or created over the years for illustrator or I make bitmap patterns in PS and bring them into AI, or these days I sometimes use exported raster texture files as well.
I mainly draw on an ipad or in adobe illustrator these days, but this video does feature some work that was done by hand on paper and then scanned (like the first frog example- you can clearly see the marker lines)
I'm interested in creating pattern with abstract design/art work... rather than concrete motifs. You say it's difficult to make a career out of that. I wonder why...Is it because they don't sell?
I really should say I just don't have as much experience with that. Abstracts can be good for home decor and for apparel but aren't used as much in other product categories.
What about an intentionally crude drawing for like kids? Like, how would you make your frog different? Personally, i thought he was cute and interesting, but amateur. But i think that added to the interesting effect. If be curious how you would update him without losing the childlike nature. Does that make sense? Maybe I'm the only one who liked him, but i really liked him lol
Aww thanks, yea obviously art will always be a matter of opinion so it makes it difficult to give definitive examples, and I do know that occasionally children's drawings have been made into surface patterns- I can think of two commercial examples of this concept.
I agree with you JoAnna, I really liked the playful child like drawing of the frogs, also. I also preferred the first Dandelion picture as it was very whimsical looking. And I preferred the first sunglasses picture, it had more yellow which brightened it up a bit, whereas the second one had too much black in it. Like Elizabeth said art is a matter of opinion. But, if I am in the minority of liking the pictures that are "not good" then I might not quite be ready to do surface pattern design!
With the growth of AI I worry that artists will not be valued. Yes so far the AI designs suck, but they'll get it right and it kind of takes all the joy out of creating...just the tip of the iceberg....yes, it may even lead to the end of the world. Self driving cars that don't really care about safety because they are not living sentient beings with souls.. scary... I pray for humanity and all creatures!
I'm a developing surface pattern designer, and want to say thank you for sharing your insight.
Glad you found it helpful!
I love how brutally honest you are. The truth hurts sometimes, but I feel like you have taught me so much. Thank you. Also, great tip on tracing over an image to make it not look so stiff. I’m definitely downloading that guide you have linked 👍
So glad it helped...hahah I have def been described as brutally honest before and I'll go ahead and take it as a compliment 😂
Love your honesty! I've looked at so many surface pattern workshops nothing as straight forward as your demonstration. Thank you so much...plus you have so much information
Definatly the best I've heard
Aww thanks so much, I'd love if you shared my videos with a Surface Pattern friend!
@@ElizabethSilver of course
I love this!☺️ Thank you for giving advice *and* including examples to really back up your arguments!
Digging deep in the archives- visuals are so important!
Wow very helpful video, thanks so much. I actually prefer honest videos like this, that's how we learn. Looking forward to more videos. I've subbed!
Yay, glad you found it helpful!
Excellent video!!!! You clarified one of my biggest doubts with the flat backgrounds and my watercolor motifs, I'm happy !! Thank you very much Elizabeth!
ooh so glad it was helpful!!
Made me realise I'm ready, thanks for giving me that push! ❤️
Yay! You got this!
The side by side comparisons were really helpful, thanks!
Glad to hear! Always better to see it right?
Thank you for such an informative video! I am new to the topic of surface design - about 30 minutes ago, actually - and I found this very interesting both in terms of mistakes and possibilities! Thanks again.
Welcome to the wonderful world of SPD!
omg thank you! please make more videos like this, there were some little things i didn't even think about before, like the texture thing for example, now i totally see it, make more of these videos im dying to learn here, i am fairly new to surface pattern design (normally i do illustration and also web design) and these are really helpful tips
be sure to check out the second video...because you're not the only one who wanted more: ruclips.net/video/AyWutrktur0/видео.html
cheers!
@@ElizabethSilver i did! Thank you!
This is great! I’m working on my first collection and have no clue what I’m doing. 😆 But I definitely need to add background textures behind my hand painted motifs. Hope I can make a good texture that repeats well.
So glad this helped you out!
Such a great video thank you! I am having a lot of these issues, and knew there were issues, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it so I didn't know how to fix them. This has been incredibly helpful thank you!!
ooh sop glad I helped you figure it out! I need to make a part two to this video!!
OMG Curlz what a throw back haha! thanks so much for the tips! :) Definitely downloading your guide!!
I feel like some of this is in personal taste. I actually loved the “loose” floral sample you showed that was one of your earlier pieces. It felt organic and is colors I love.
You're right, at the end of the day all art is subjective so while these tips are based on some common feedback I hear and the differences I can see between the work of new designers and what's in stores, it definitely is a matter of taste.
6:16 when you say “put them into a toss” is there a “toss” shortcut on a program you are using that randomly disperses your motifs, or you are just “tossing” the motifs around individually by hand? I am hoping it’s the latter and there isn’t some quick toss button I’ve been missing all this time lol 😂
Don't worry! it's the latter! Tossing by hand...sorry to make it sound so easy- you do still have to space and turn and adjust to make it look lovely :)
@@esilver1011I downloaded your toolkit and was amazed at the 15 different layouts you showed! Thank you!
@@alexiseileenn yay!!
Thank you so much. I am just getting started and this is very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Very helpful tips, thank you! Can you recommend any online community where I can get a critique on my surface patterns?
Hi! I loved this content! Very educational and straight forward. If I could make one suggestion maybe it would be to perhaps include a few clips of the drawing process, so the video gets a bit more dynamic and less like a presentation.
But then again, is just a suggestion. I really appreciate the time you put on doing this, cause it was very informative and it helps me building a more critic vision of my own art
Great suggestion, I make a lot of my videos (especially the older ones) at night because COVID had my kids running around my house all day, so after bedtime the lighting for filming was not on my side :)
These were some really great tips, thank you for your insight! 💕
You are so welcome!
This is good advice and I love that you provided examples. I had to laugh a little at the dandelion example though because I actually quite like the first one. That’s not to say the second pattern wasn’t stronger in many ways, just thought I’d let you know I think the first one is cute too.
I hear ya, at the end of the day art is totally subjective so there's always going to be a few people who prefer my "Don't's" over my "Do's" and that's okay! Thanks for your input!
Thank you for your help! I thought your froggies pattern was very cute for a toddler's room. 😌 I would have made the lily pads more round though. Thanks for the examples too.
You are so welcome!
@@ElizabethSilver Do you have a frog pattern that is more professional to you that I could view so I can compare? I see now that your lily pads are heart-shaped. You probably planned that. 😊
I like your suggestion to scan in stiff/static work, print out at 50% opacity and draw over it to give it life.
Im interested in surface pattern designs. I found this video helpful and interesting
yay, so glad!
Number 4!! This has been a big hurdle for me as an artist that works with watercolour and gouache. I've had to develop methods for making the background work. I sometimes us a watercolour swatch that I've made seamless, and change it's colour. Or multiply the background with a scanned texture. Fun times!! Great vid.
It is tricky to make it work, I know! But that beautiful handpainted work is worth the extra effort :)
Hi there, this is my problem at the moment too! What program do you use to make your repeat watercolour texture backgrounds?
Thanks for the information! I found you after listening to the good designer podcast.
Yay, thanks for checking me out, glad you found this helpful!
Thank you so much! Very helpful indeed :)
Yikes! I cringed whilest watching this as I have been doing some of these things. Thank you Elizabeth! Your insights are always so helpful 🙂
We were all beginners once, don't worry about it! Hopefully this helps you improve a bit for your next design :)
Thank you so much, Elizabeth!
You are so welcome!🙌
I'm so happy to hear you be honest about whether someone should be able to draw. Because those who are selling courses Big Time keep telling potential students that they don't need to be able to draw!! And they're just trying to sell their classes and it really annoys. As someone who's been an artist all her life I kind of resent all those people going into design who are not artists. And the big sellers of classes in surface pattern design are making buco bucks off every man and his sister. 🤣😃🙂 (But not from me!)
😆 I feel your pain...I do know a few abstract artists who are doing well, but 98% of the time, we need to draw!
It’s odd to me why someone would want design surface patterns if they can’t draw or not willing to learn.
Really glad I watched this.THanks
Me too, hope it helped!
Literally the best video on explaining surface design pattern!! For texture patterns, do you recommend making FX with illustrator or you make it with paint?
Thank you so much! So glad you found this helpful! I do both honestly...depends on the type of look I'm going for. I have a lot of textured brushes and vector distress patterns I've puchased or created over the years for illustrator or I make bitmap patterns in PS and bring them into AI, or these days I sometimes use exported raster texture files as well.
Thank you so much Elizabeth xx
you're very welcome!
Thank you! These are great tips! :)
🙌🙌 Any time!
So are these designs drawn by hand or do you do digital? Or what?
Great info, btw! 😊
I mainly draw on an ipad or in adobe illustrator these days, but this video does feature some work that was done by hand on paper and then scanned (like the first frog example- you can clearly see the marker lines)
This was great! Thanks so much!!
You're very welcome!
This is what I NEED. Thankyou!!!!!!!!
Yay! You are welcome!
Thanks this helped a lot ❤️
I love your frogs lol.
I'm interested in creating pattern with abstract design/art work... rather than concrete motifs. You say it's difficult to make a career out of that. I wonder why...Is it because they don't sell?
I really should say I just don't have as much experience with that. Abstracts can be good for home decor and for apparel but aren't used as much in other product categories.
What about an intentionally crude drawing for like kids? Like, how would you make your frog different? Personally, i thought he was cute and interesting, but amateur. But i think that added to the interesting effect. If be curious how you would update him without losing the childlike nature. Does that make sense? Maybe I'm the only one who liked him, but i really liked him lol
Aww thanks, yea obviously art will always be a matter of opinion so it makes it difficult to give definitive examples, and I do know that occasionally children's drawings have been made into surface patterns- I can think of two commercial examples of this concept.
I agree with you JoAnna, I really liked the playful child like drawing of the frogs, also. I also preferred the first Dandelion picture as it was very whimsical looking. And I preferred the first sunglasses picture, it had more yellow which brightened it up a bit, whereas the second one had too much black in it. Like Elizabeth said art is a matter of opinion. But, if I am in the minority of liking the pictures that are "not good" then I might not quite be ready to do surface pattern design!
Thanks alot :)
You're welcome! 🙌
thank you for this video :)
You're so welcome!
With the growth of AI I worry that artists will not be valued. Yes so far the AI designs suck, but they'll get it right and it kind of takes all the joy out of creating...just the tip of the iceberg....yes,
it may even lead to the end of the world. Self driving cars that don't really care about safety because they are not living sentient beings with souls.. scary... I pray for humanity and all creatures!
AI is definitely a major concern for artists, thanks for weighing in!
Everyone can learn to draw
True!