Hey, First name / friends!

Our mini-collection month continues! If you missed out on the challenges from weeks one and two, you can find them in the #CreateWithCatCoq Vault!

 

This week is all about blender patterns!

If you're unfamiliar, a blender pattern (also known as a simple pattern, filler pattern, or simple coordinate) is exactly what it sounds like – a simple repeat pattern that ties elements of your collection together. 

 

These simple patterns give the eye a place to rest when looking at a collection filled with beautiful complex illustrations and patterns. 

 

I get questions about these types of patterns all the time, so I whipped up a blog post to answer common questions about blender patterns and share tips on how to design them effectively. I'm really excited to share this with you!

Your challenge this week is to create a simple blender pattern by repurposing an element from one of your previous designs. 

 

In my example, I pulled a poinsettia and some dots from my “Fa La La” greeting card illustration and turned it into a cute, simple pattern.

Even an “X” or other small element from your sweater design in Week 1 can be used as a blender. 

 

I did something similar with this mini collection where I pulled the X's and Daisies from the shoe illustrations and turned them into blender patterns.

Don't forget to share your work on Instagram with the hashtag #CreateWithCatCoq and tag me @catcoq for a chance to be featured!

 

I am absolutely loving seeing your collections come together!

One of the quickest ways to design blender patterns is with my Procreate stamp brushes! I've put together a sample pack of 5 of my most popular brushes from my Retro Charms Brush Pack and you can download them for free here!

I used these in my most recent African Safari collection and they helped me whip up patterns for the collection in record time.

Pro Tip: You can use these for your blender pattern this week, but if you want to make your holiday mini-collection extra cohesive, try adding some of these stamps to your previous illustrations. The sparks and asterisk would make great embellishments for a holiday illustration!

I love seeing all of the different interpretations of the holiday prompts. Keep sharing your work, and don't forget to comment and engage with your fellow artists!