How to make your own repeat pattern workshop - July 20th
I never thought that I would ever be saying this, but I am hosting my first ever workshop in July!
That old friend of mine, imposter syndrome, has been present most my life. After all there is always someone better, more talented and more qualified than you. But that’s the thing, I wasn’t giving myself enough credit for everything I had achieved. All the clients I’ve worked for. The knowledge I’ve gained over a career that’s now in it’s 9th year (yikes!)
I never thought that I would ever be saying this, but I am hosting my first ever workshop in July!
That old friend of mine, imposter syndrome, has been present most my life. After all there is always someone better, more talented and more qualified than you. But that’s the thing, I wasn’t giving myself enough credit for everything I had achieved. All the clients I’ve worked for. The knowledge I’ve gained over a career that’s now in it’s 9th year (yikes!)
So after some amazing coaching sessions with Amy from Women Who Create (who is just a peach by the way, and such an inspiration) I dug down, found some courage, and created a workshop that I hope you guys will enjoy.
Although I got my degree in Illustration and Graphic Design, I taught myself how to make repeat patterns during my 3rd year of uni. As soon as I made one, I was hooked. I was making patterns out of everything, and I loved trying out so many different styles of repeats and seeing what I could do with the pencil illustrations I was creating.
Although I create all my surface designs digitally nowadays, I did originally start out creating patterns in an analog way. I found this really helped me understand how tiling worked, how you made patterns seamless and how moving the tiles in different ways created different styles of repeat.
And so this was how my ‘How to create your own repeat patterns’ workshop was born!
I wanted to make a workshop that would help inspire any creative, on any level of expertise, to take their practise into another dimension, without needing software like Photoshop to get started.
Trust me, I know how daunting some of these things can feel when you starting thinking you need all singing, all dancing software and computers to just dip your toe into a new practise or medium. But this is the great thing with pattern making; it works just as good by hand as it does digitally. And there is no limit to what medium you create them in, nor do you need to be an excellent draftsman!
Just some Grade A imagination and the intrigue to play.
Mexican Parrot surface design created from images taken on my honeymoon.
I’ll be running the workshop at Handmade Nottingham on July 20th, 10.30-1.30, and i’ll be covering:
Basics of repeat patterns
Different types of repeats and how to create them
Creating seamless designs
Creating designs that capture the imagination
Inspiration for how to apply your own surface designs to textiles, homeware and stationery.
I’ll be bringing along some mark making materials, however please feel free to bring along your own mediums of choice if you have a preference!
If this sounds like something right up your street, then I’m hoping to see you there! Spaces are limited to 10 spots, so be sure to book your place early. You can book your spot HERE, or check out my events page to see where else you can find me this summer.
I hope to see you there!
Freshly added to the shop...
It's been a busy time in the studio recently getting ready to launch my second Etsy shop, whilst updating my old lines in my current store.
Take a look at some of the new, and old, products that are now back in stock and available through Etsy.
It's been a busy time in the studio recently getting ready to launch my second Etsy shop, whilst updating my old lines in my current store.
Take a look at some of the new, and old, products that are now back in stock and available through Etsy.
New card designs available as well restock of old prints.
My Origami writing sets have also had a little face lift! There's a new design sneaked in there too...
As always I love to hear what you think! Please feel free to drop me a line, or even fill out this questionnaire with feedback on my service, products and work.
Deborah x
Adios Amigos!
As I write to you this week I'm taking absolute pleasure in writing every kind of list as we pack to head off on our honeymoon!
Avnish and I will not only be celebrating our 9 year anniversary together, but our 2nd wedding anniversary whilst in the balmy heat of Cancun, Mexico. This trip is actually going to be our honeymoon, a vacation that has been 2 years of planning and saving in the making. We haven't been on holiday in 3 years so needless to say we're extremely excited to be getting some sun and sand for 2 weeks.
Because I will be off adventuring this is just a little post to let you all know that my Etsy and Notonthehighstreet.com stores will be closed from Friday 29th April until 12th May. All orders must be placed on or before the 28th, especially if you want to make the most of my Spring Sale which has been going on over in my Etsy shop.
I also wanted to keep you all up to date with some really exciting projects that I've been working on this month:
Collaboration with Mr Panesar Design
Fittingly enough the first of my new projects has been a collabotayion with my husband Avnish - together we've created gig posters for legends Led Zeppelin and of course The Boss, Bruce Springsteen. These designs are available as prints in Avnish's shop.
New Pattern: A Llama Folk Tale
You may have seen my vibrant llama pattern at the top of this post, which I'm really excited to say is now available to purchase on products in my Society6 shop. I've loved creating this new summery pattern as it's pushed me out of my pencil drawing comfort zones to dabble with painting; a medium I'm not usually too confident in.
Submission for the Spoonflower x Sprout Pattern competition
Last but not least (and this is kind of my favourite) a Japanese Garden inspired print for Spoonflower's April design challenge! Voting closes tomorrow 6pm EDT (10pm GMT) and what's better you can vote for more than one design! I voted for 10 because there is just so many lovely designs!
I'm excited to share with you all my Mexican experience when I return next month, perhaps in a bumper visual blog post! If you can't possibly wait till mid May then be sure to follow me on Instagram (@deborahpanesar) and Snapchat (dbillustrations) as I'll be documenting some of our adventure.
Until next month!
Deborah x
New Kitty Pattern!
Back in December 2015 I decided that it was long overdue to draw up a cat pattern! I find cats have such individual personalities that it seemed so wrong to just draw from getty reference images - so I did an international call out on my Instagram to which I had an unprecedented influx of tags as people sent me photos of their gorgeous kitties!
Back in December 2015 I decided that it was long overdue to draw up a cat pattern! I find cats have such individual personalities that it seemed so wrong to just draw from getty reference images - so I did an international call out on my Instagram to which I had an unprecedented influx of tags as people sent me photos of their gorgeous kitties!
Roll forward to January 2016 and I am so pleased to say that the kitty pattern is now finished, named Le Chat Toile de Jouy for all it's Frenchy vibes. I wish I could have included all the wonderful and beautiful cats that were sent my way, you should have seen them!
I'm so extremely pleased with how this design turned out, and now it is available in my online shops!
Purchase tees, leggings, mugs, shower curtains and even duvet covers with my kitty pattern through Society6
Le Chat Toile de Jouy is also available as a downloadable art print in my Etsy shop! Simply purchase, download, print and frame!
This design is also coming soon to my Spoonflower page where you will able to purchase it on fabric and wallpaper.
As always, I love to hear feedback! What do you think of my latest pattern? Is there a particular animal you would like to see illustrated next?
Deborah x