“Bonnie Christine” | Sheila's Corner Studio

I am just going to come out and say it. I haven’t mastered Adobe Illustrator. Not even close. My September was occupied with Leslie Saeta’s 30 Painting in 30 Days Challenge. While the challenge was starting, I was also completing the Make It In Design Summer School Tracks. And while summer school was in session, I found Design Surface Patterns From Scratch, with Bonnie Christine. This summer was packed with learning! So much fun!

This month will be all about learning Illustrator. With Bonnie’s generous instruction, I know that is totally do-able. I have been following along on Facebook, and I am so glad to be a part of this amazing group of designers. Sharing new discoveries, and offering help and advice. I have learned so much from the questions and answers.

Free printable

A favorite take away from the course is this quote by Bonnie. It has been in my head, and I honestly think it influenced my painting in the challenge. I created some of my best work, and it was not as much of a struggle as it sometimes can be.

I created a pdf that you can print out and share with friends. Just click on the image. I used the blob brush to draw the sea urchins. It is really easy to draw with, and I had so much fun with these.

Bonnie’s class was fun with a capital FANTASTIC! She shared her experience honestly, even her mistakes, and how she learned from them. She showed us only the tools we need to know to create repeating patterns.

I had put off learning Illustrator, because I felt overwhelmed with all the tools and options. I am self-taught in Photoshop, and with all the years of experience I have in that program, I am still discovering new techniques. If I can pass one thing on to others who are new to Illustrator, it would be to take Bonnie’s class. Her warm and friendly teaching style will put you at ease, and soon you will be ready to dive in to surface pattern designing.

Bonnie challenged us to create a collection, sharing our sketches, inspiration boards and final designs. I did not get mine done in time to take part in her giveaway, but I am working on my collection. Bonnie explained her process, and how to think of developing collections. Up to this point, I have created stand alone designs in my Spoonflower shop. Her approach was a huge revelation!

I have started a board on Pinterest where I will share designers in this group. I only have two pins on there now, but I will be adding everyone as I catch up on blog posts.

If you are interested in taking the class, Design Surface Patterns from Scratch is now available at creativelive.com. You are welcome to join the CL Design Surface Patterns from Scratch facebook group! Hope to see you there!

For more surface design fun, take a look at yesterday’s blog by Joditt Williams. Her “Autumn Glory” collection is so pretty! The next post will be on Monday, by Meg Tannahill – I can’t wait! You can find links to all of the “Hoppers” on Bonnie’s page. If you are interested in learning pattern design, you will really want to see what everyone has been up to!

Bonnie is offering a FREE MONTH membership to her awesome Roost Tribe! If you’re interested in everything from joining a creative community, getting tips for building your blog, recipes, tutorials, and free desktop backgrounds, definitely don’t pass this up. Click here for your free month!

This week my design time was drastically reduced. I participated in a Creative Live course with Bonnie Christine of Going Home to Roost. Her class was a blast. Really intense. Three full days on Illustrator and surface pattern design. More on that in a bit.

I only had three days to complete my designs for the MIID assignments. I was determined to complete them all, so I had to simplify. K.I.S.S. Keep it simple, stupid.

Make It – Beginner

Tribal Shapes, MIID. Beginner Brief 2, © 2014 Sheila Delgado

For the Beginner theme, Tribal Shapes, I came up with this basic repeat. I knew that I would incorporate it in the Tribal Collage for the advanced assignment.

MIID Beginner Brief 2 details

I added lines to mimic a woven fabric, and then I erased them partly for a worn look. I used a second brush to add splotches of color.

Make It – Intermediate

MIID Intermediate Brief 2, © 2014 Sheila Delgado

Animal Print was the intermediate theme. I felt the need for steed. My original thought was to do some sort of quilted pattern of just hides. But then I thought about those terrible 70’s patchwork purses, and I just couldn’t go that route. I am not sure this is better. Animal prints in general are just not favorites of mine.

Faux horse hide

I added the same texture details, thinking of nubby old blankets, or an old itchy rug. I do like how the details turned out, but they do not translate well on screen, and I am not really sure they are visible in MIID gallery pages. I also completed the required product mock-up for this, and I really like how it looks in use.

Mock up, MIID Intermediate Brief 2

Make It – Advanced

Tribal Collage, the advanced assignment, brought these elements together. I did this pattern in about six hours. Right up against the deadline.

MIID Advanced details

So tell me what you think. Did I take the texture too far, or not far enough?

MIID Advanced Brief 2, © 2014 Sheila Delgado

Design Surface Patterns From Scratch With Bonnie Christine

So amazing! Bonnie is a terrific teacher and she is so generous in sharing all she knows. To anyone interested in learning pattern design, I highly recommend this class. The instruction in Illustrator was geared specifically for pattern design. I have worked in Photoshop, honestly, because learning Illustrator seemed daunting.

Bonnie made it look so easy, she explained each step. I had planned on creating my MIID designs in Illustrator, because I was short on time I stuck with Photoshop. You know, learning curve.

But I am tackling Illustrator this weekend. Bonnie’s assignment is to create a six piece pattern collection. FUN!!

Enjoy your weekend!