I have LOTS of exciting updates to share with you today! Be sure to read the whole email so you don’t miss a thing.

 

But first, your weekly drawing challenge!

It's Valentine's week, and love is in the air. 😍 This week your challenge is to create a repeat pattern with a Valentine's Day motif. This is a big category in surface design, so it's great to have a few Valentine's illustrations in your portfolio. 

 

Here are a couple different heart illustrations from my art licensing portfolio. One piece of advice my agents recently gave me is to showcase more “spot illustrations” in my portfolio, like the single pair of sunglasses below. They recommended I isolate out bits and pieces from existing artwork to easily create spot illustrations for more versatile licensing opportunities. This simple illustration of heart-shaped sunglasses came out of this original design of stacked glasses. 💗

 

Share your Valentine's pattern on Instagram with the hashtag #CreateWithCatCoq so we can all share the love! 

 

 

This week's challenge is specifically focused on repeat patterns in honor of the fact that my friend Bonnie's popular course, Surface Design Immersion, is open for enrollment. More on this + our live art licensing Q&A below!

The Surface Design Immersion Course is an 8-week online training program for those who want to learn Adobe Illustrator, the art of surface pattern design, and how to create a sustainable business as a creative entrepreneur. 

 

 

If you’ve taken any of my classes, you know my go-to digital tools are Photoshop and Procreate. I get asked a lot about Adobe Illustrator, and while I love using it, I don’t have a lot of educational resources out there about it.

 

Bonnie is an authority on Adobe Illustrator for surface pattern design, so if this is something you’re curious about mastering, I’d highly recommend this program!

 

I know Bonnie personally and she provides a wealth of knowledge to her students. In addition to learning how to perfect professional patterns in Illustrator, you'll learn how to master your mindset and set yourself up for a successful career in surface pattern design. 

 

My LIVE Q&A with Bonnie Christine is in just two days on February 15th at 12pm EST!

 

I’m so excited about this Q&A. Bonnie and I will be answering your most in-depth questions about how to create a career doing what you love - creating and selling your art!

 

We’re taking questions in advance so make sure to register to submit a question and join us for a chance to get your question answered! 

 

 

If you want a taste of what it's like to learn from Bonnie (or if you just want to hear our best tips for making an income with art licensing) I hope to see you at the live Q&A on Thursday with Bonnie! Click here to register!

 

Have a fabulous week! 

 

Not interested in hearing about Bonnie's programs? That's ok! You can click  “Manage Preferences”👇 below👇 to mute emails about this but stay on my list for the regular weekly newsletter and other updates.

 

I'm a proud affiliate for Bonnie's programs, which means that if you enroll in one of her paid courses using my link, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you : )