Will I see you on August 11th, First name / friend?

 

I'm hosting a free live art business workshop and I want you to be there! Click here to RSVP for the free workshop!

If you're tired of guessing what to make, who to pitch, or when to send it, this training is for you!

During this live session, I'll pull back the curtain on how art licensing actually works behind the scenes and what's actually working in 2026 (with real strategies and examples).

 

We'll also be celebrating the doors for The Art of Collections opening! This is the last time the program will open in 2026!
 

When: Tuesday, August 11th at 10am EDT
Where: On Zoom - RSVP Here to Get the Link!

 

The event is free, but seats are limited. You'll need to register in advance to save your spot and secure the replay. It's totally free to attend, but registration is required. Click below to let me know you're coming! 👇🏼

 

First, the question I've gotten a ton of: yes, I'm seeing your Instagram posts. If you're tagging me, your work is showing up. It just takes me a while to get through them all, so thank you for your patience. 🤗

 

With this many people participating, I'm making the scholarship entry simpler.

 

Keep posting your weekly work on Instagram and tagging me — that part doesn't change. But your official scholarship entry will now happen through a submission form during the final week instead.

 

Only step 1 is time-sensitive right now. Other than that, keep following along with each week! I can't wait to see your final collections! : )

 

This week, we're going to work on a complex pattern. 

 

A complex pattern is also called a supporting pattern, and it is meant to complement your hero design and tie the collection together. It's different from the blender patterns we worked on last week because it has more depth, movement, and variation.

 

Let me walk you through how I approached mine for this mini collection.

 

I originally drew this palm pattern a few years ago, and it was eventually licensed onto lunch bags through my partnership with Fit & Fresh. For this collection, however, I created an entirely new color palette so it would coordinate with the colors in the crane illustration. This is a great example of how you can take an existing design and simply recolor it to create a cohesive mini collection. You don’t always have to create every piece from scratch. Old pieces deserve love too!

 

Want to display your mini collection like this? Download my tear sheet template here!

 

I always fully illustrate all the elements of my illustrations and keep them on their own layers as much as possible. So even if they're covered up by another element, I can pull them from the hero into a pattern of their own! 

 

As we get closer to the end of the challenge, make sure you're presenting your work in the best possible light! 

 

Steal my mini collection strategy by following along with this blog post and snagging the free tear sheet template that goes along with it!

The Challenge Hub: Bookmark This Page!

Share all 4 prompts on Instagram by August 8th at 11:59pm EST to be entered to win a scholarship to my program, The Art of Collections!

Week #1: Hero Design

Week #2: Blender Pattern

Week #3: Complex Pattern

Here are some of the incredible submissions from last week. Don’t forget to share your complex patterns on Instagram with the hashtag #CreateWithCatCoq  and tag me @catcoq in the actual photo of your art for a chance to be featured in this newsletter and on my Instagram Stories.

Don't forget, everyone on the waitlist for The Art of Collections gets early access to join, a special waitlist bonus, and the first 10 people to sign up get a free group coaching call with me! 

 

 

Have a great week!