Hello Reader, There is a specific "aha!" moment that happens when an illustrator transitions into surface pattern design. It’s the moment you realise that a beautiful drawing doesn’t always make a beautiful pattern. In fact, some of the most stunning illustrations fail as repeats because they suffer from "Static Layout" syndrome. You know the look. You have gorgeous motifs, but when they’re put into a repeat, they look like they’ve been frozen in place. They look like a sheet of stickers...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
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...
3 months ago • 2 min read
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....
4 months ago • 1 min read
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...
5 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader I’m thrilled to announce my brand new Skillshare class: Moths are naturally beautiful and mystical, making them the perfect subject to practice symmetrical pattern design skills. In this super quick class (45mins), we’ll dive into Procreate’s symmetry tool and using a free pattern tile template you'll discover just how easy it is to create a seamless repeat pattern. Ready to spread your creative wings? Signup for the class today by clicking on the link below. If you're not a...
8 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Are you dreaming of making a consistent income from your pattern designs? I hear you! It seems there's a lot of mixed messages out there about how easy (or hard!) it is to make a full-time income, especially when aiming for ambitious figures like $10,000 a month through licensing. So I decided to create a YouTube video to tackle that question head-on, sharing my honest, no-fluff perspective based on over a decade in the industry. Here's a sneak peek at what I cover: The Reality...
11 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Do you ever feel like being a "starving artist" is just part of the deal? I used to believe that to create authentic art, you had to struggle financially, waiting for inspiration and feeling guilty when it didn't strike. This "starving artist" mentality isn't just about money; it's a harmful internal conflict that can lead to burnout and a warped view of an art career. But what if I told you that financial stability can actually fuel your creativity, not stifle it? The...
11 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Can you believe it is July already? Down here in New Zealand we are in the midst of winter. It's chilly! But no matter what the weather is doing outside, it's always the perfect season to curl up with our creative tools and bring beautiful ideas to life! Whether you're nestled indoors escaping the chill or enjoying the long summer days (for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere!), the desire to create, experiment, and learn is universal. Speaking of learning and making...
11 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, I hope you've all had a wonderfully creative week. This past month I've been delving into the world of Social Media and Marketing with my Learn with Mel Community. A question that comes up a lot is "Is Instagram a necessary evil, a powerful tool, or just a time sink for artists? If you’ve ever wrestled with that question, my new YouTube video is for you! Is Instagram Helping or Hurting Your Art? In my latest video, we’re diving deep into the realities of using Instagram as a...
about 1 year ago • 1 min read