painting | Annie Mason 2/7

Create a Seamless Pattern with Photoshop

Annie Mason
3 min read

My background in art involved paintbrushes, paper, pencils, paint of various sorts, and something to paint. As I began a major in Graphic Arts I moved into the realm of photography, copy, advertising, layouts, fonts, and the technology which existed in the late 1960s. Would you believe that in order to "justify" the print in those days, I had to type my copy on a keyboard that kicked out a roll of tape with a pattern of holes? The tape was then fed into a linotype machine.

The holes matched the copy that had been typed on a keyboard. The copy could then be set to align to right, centered, left, or justified.

Can you imagine? I am typing this now and all I have to do is look to the top and pick out my desired alignment.

Point of note: in 1967 when I was a graphic arts student at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) I was allowed to do the copy process whatever we were working on...but I was NOT allowed to work the printing press because that was a "man's job."

Whaaaatttt!!!!!

My next art experience was when I transferred to Westfield State University to continue my education. My major was then "fine arts" so I was back to using paints, and paper, and added potter's clay, weaving, sculpture, and art history.

Back to the point. I LOVE ART. I say it often and now, in retirement, I paint almost every day. I also have a mantra that may seem cliché: Learn something new every day.

I have written here in this space, however, that digital art is a whole other animal. One of my principals at one of the schools where I taught elementary art proposed that there be a computer at every grade level, and he mandated that at least one teacher in each level learn how to use it. This was around 1976, and the computer was still elusive in the classroom. Most teachers cringed. I couldn't wait.

When I started using watercolors again after my retirement, my daughter gave me a phone case from Society6 with a small bird. We began to check the site, and she said, "Mom, you should upload your work to this platform." I didn't know what "upload" meant; I had to learn about pixels and assets and edit my artwork for print.

I've come a long way since then. I can resize, HTML, embed, change the hue, rotate, and transform with the best of them (well. maybe not with the best). My daughter has been impressed with how well I can navigate in Photoshop. It has been a slow process but I love learning.

I have subscribed to SKILLSHARE. This is where I really took off in learning how to make Seamless Patterns from my artwork. I joined my favorite artist-friend, Cat Coquillette https://www.skillshare.com/user/catcoq You can read my earlier Meet the Artist - Cat Coq to get to know her better.

Here we go. Start with the more traditional plan: watercolor image. You want one dominant form, then some middle-sized elements, and finally small "pieces" of the floral designs.

Next, we remove the background.

ree — Cat's class: Removing the background

ree — Removed my background in Photoshop

Next, we isolate the pieces into separate layers:

ree — Cat's class: each element on its own layer

Next, arrange the block with the elements:

ree — Cat moves each element, flips vertical, or transforms.

Finally, the finished pattern:

YAY! I LOVE learning new things !!

I confess that I had to watch the video four times before the whole thing was down. That's the way we learn.

Samples of my patterns after taking the Skillshare

class with Cat Coquillette

Yep. I got the hang of it, eventually.

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You're an artist. What's in your studio?

Annie Mason
2 min read

YOU are an ARTIST. What's in your studio? What's in your head? Do the supplies and objects surrounding you inspire you? In an earlier post, I featured what inspires me: There is inspiration everywhere. One can be inspired, however, but the studio has to have the tools for you to bring that inspiration from brain to paper, canvas, clay, jewelry, mosaic tile, or simple sketch.

Now that I am settled into our new home, I love being in my studio almost daily. If you consider adding items to your home as a crafter, hobby, maker, or painter, here are my suggestions. I post those that I use frequently in my business, but I include supplies others have told me they had used, which assured me that the purchase was a good decision.

Many artists today are using digital art as their process so I will start with some devices, some of which I use even though the bulk of my artwork is traditional, ie, painting and drawing with brushes or pen. If you are younger than me (lucky you) you might choose an apple pen over paper or canvas. (Don't worry will cover the traditional items for you in this post).

1. 10 Inch Drawing Tablet with Screen, Stylus Pen

2. Graphic Monitor with PN06 Battery-Free Pen

3. Pencil for iPad with Dual Touch Function

4. Make Great Art on Your iPad (Paperback)

5. Epson Perfection V600 (This is my scanner)

Now, let's take care of the basic art supplies:

1. 20 Pcs Round Pointed Tip Paintbrushes

2. Strathmore 300 Series Watercolor Paper

3. Sakura Studio Set Koi Watercolor Kit, 72 colors

4. Caliart Acrylic Paint Set, 24 Colors

5. CENTSTAR Round Paint Tray Palettes 15 Ct.

STORAGE

1. Bins & Things Stackable Storage

2. 360°Rotating Desk Organizer

3. Multi-Functional Pen Holder

4. Rolling Wooden Storage Cabinet

5. Drawer Gate Leg Roll Cart with Desk

Furniture

1. Folding Table 6ft Portable Heavy Duty Plastic

2. SPACEKEEPER Storage Cart

3. Ergonomic Office Chair

4. Project Center Desk with 2 Bookcase Sides

5. Verilux SmartLight Full Spectrum LED Floor Lamp

Paint to Music, Video your artwork, and Post to Social Media

1. Itoya Art Profolio Storage (18 x 24)

2. UBeesize 67” Camera Tripod with Travel Bag

3. VideoPad Video Editor

4. SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING 4 SMALL BUSINESS

5. Portable Bluetooth Speakers

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Slideshows of my Art by Collections

Annie Mason
1 min read

Lately, I have been successful with painting and recognition as an artist. See A Whim Turns a Win. This has given me more confidence and a desire to show my work in more places and take on more commissions.

With this in mind, this post is a series of visuals categorized by subject. Most of the art is watercolor, ink, or colored watercolor pencil. Use the small black arrows left and right within the SLIDER to scroll from side to side. There are six images in each category. The drop-down list shows the titles.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission when you purchase from the links in this blog. I only post products I have used satisfactorily or know people who have recommended them. The funds from this partnership help me maintain this website, and I hope it gives my visitors some confidence in the products I promote here.