Lately however I have been obsessed with something that won't let go. It's basically pattern doodling. I draw these designs in a black marker and then colour them in. That's it. It's so relaxing and wonderful and I'm really enjoying it.
I think it started when some blogger put up something about a fabric pattern designer. Before I knew it I was googling for inspiration and I had ordered several books on pattern design, just to know how this stuff works. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut in these things.
I draw these mostly in a Moleskine Sketchbook and have found that the wretched paper of this sketchbook (it resists wet media!) is actually perfect for my Pitt Big Brush markers. They go on so smooth it's amazing, like the paper was made for them.
I have however also started a bigger pattern book in a Strathmore Mixed Media Journal. My idea is to fill that book with more patterned pages and then I can use them to photocopy and so make collage papers for myself (aren't I smart?).
So far I've only done one in that book though, so I'll keep that for another time when I have filled up more pages. I'll make sure to share them with you when the time comes and make good scans so you can print them and use them as collage papers (or whatever you want) as well.
For now I'm just showing you the Moleskine ones and I hope you enjoy them just for what they are: shapes and colour and repetition and sometimes symmetry. They are simply easy on the eye and that's the only reason I do them.
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| This one is the only one done with tombow markers and you can see how the paper resists the colour (grrr). |
I think a lot of this 'mindless' pattern doodling is just my personal form of meditation. It's a good way to unwind the mind. Feel free to give it a go and see where it takes you!
Wishing you all a wonderful and artsy Wednesday!