Hello Reader As we jump into March I want to talk a little about pattern collections for licensing. I see it all the time: A designer spends 10 hours on a stunning, intricate floral pattern. It’s a masterpiece! But when they show it to a client, the client asks, 'What else goes with this?' If you don't have an answer, you’re leaving money on the table. In the world of Surface Pattern Design, we don't just sell 'prints'; we sell stories. And a story needs more than one character. To build a...

Hello Reader I hope you're having a wonderfully creative week. Colour is the heartbeat of Surface Pattern Design. A mediocre motif can be saved by a killer palette, but even the most intricate illustration will fall flat if the colours don't harmonise. This is something a lot of us struggle with so I wanted to offer up a few tips. Today, I’m breaking down four pro-level colour tips that have helped me move past "default swatches" and start creating sophisticated, commercially viable designs....

Hello Reader Did coming back to the studio feel a bit… jarring? Same here! A week ago, my biggest "deadline" was finishing a book or deciding which snack to grab. Then suddenly I’m staring at a blank Procreate canvas and trying to remember how to draw a leaf. Blergh! If you’re feeling a bit sluggish, remember this: it’s okay to ease back into your creative practice slowly. "Baby steps" still lead to a finished artwork or pattern collection. For those of you staring at a blank page wondering...