Painting For Textile And Surface Pattern Design: Master Ink, Gouache And Watercolor

This is an introductory painting class using popular art materials (ink, watercolor and gouache) and trending and evergreen design topics (florals, Christmas birds and branches, floral lattice, stripes, plaid, leopard and zebra skin, paisley and camouflage). Surface and textile design is used as a teaching base but a lot of the principles explained in the lessons are fundamental for any painting and design.

The class is structured from simple to more advanced techniques, so even if it is your first time painting, it is easy to follow and accessible. We'll go from monochrome to basic and easy to understand color mixing, planning and composition, working with references and creating original designs without plagiarizing. For more advanced learners, an extensive block on painting loose watercolor florals will be helpful.

This class is for you if you're interested in:

- painting with traditional materials. Previous experience is helpful, but not required!

- turning your paintings into repeating patterns later on (not covered in this class)

Why You Should Take This Class

Traditional media are still alive and well in textile design, even with all the advance of technology and AI. In fact, creating handmade artwork is a competitive advantage: there is special "je ne sois quoi" and commercial appeal that hand painted art possesses. The particular beloved and recognizable feel to it still cannot be a 100% emulated with digital tools. Traditionally painted artwork can be used in all kinds of categories of surface pattern and textile design, from women’s and children’s apparel including swimwear, home textiles such as table linens, wallpaper, computer and phone cases and much more.

What You Will Learn

- The ins and outs of working with fluid art media: the difference and similarities of ink, watercolor and gouache, controlling the flow, choosing the right paper and brushes, trustworthy brands, artist tips and tricks: brush shapes, angles, pressure and rotation, timing in applying layers; art materials care, where to buy art supplies, how to save money and where it is worth to spend a bit more. Supplementary art materials: palettes, palette knives, masking tape, pipettes, spray bottles. Painting color chips for your art materials.

- Working with core design elements: shapes, lines, contour, silhouette, balance, spacing, scale, values and color, texture, variety.

- Where to find inspiration and how to work with references respecting copyright - fashion magazines, books, online resources.

- How to paint with design in mind: what product category is the design for, which motifs and painting angles are commercially usable and not, which ones are future vector and/or raster designs.

- How to fix painting errors on the go and what can be changed later in the process digitally.

- How to keep a design balanced and not overworked.

- How to paint perfectly smooth color grounds in gouache and transfer your sketch onto them using tracing or transfer paper and/or light pad, as well as what can be painted directly on the surface without transfering.

- The insightful approach to painting: appreciate simplicity and minimalism, embrace imperfections, work with what you have.

- Color theory simplified, no-brainer color choice strategy, working with the Color Wheel.

- How to plan a future design in your sketchbook and make tweaks along the way.

- How to create equally effective simple and complex designs, for example, a coastal stripe vs. a washy floral paisley.

- How to paint florals - the number 1 popular textile design in fashion/clothing. Painting flowers and leaves from simple (daisy) to complex (peony, rose, ranunculus).

- How to create multi-floral compositions, vignettes, bouquets working with various flower and leaf shapes.

- The thinking process behind the design rather than blindly copying.

Class Materials/Supply List

No software or computer equipment is needed to take this class, however, it is a good time to start thinking about further stages: using a scanner and software such as Adobe Photoshop and/or Illustrator later on, as well as a drawing tablet like Wacom.

I encourage you to start with the art materials you already have at home!

If you need to purchase new art supplies, here is an example of a minimum starter pack for each medium of your choice:

- for ink: Liquitex Acrylic Ink Essentials Set, Canson XL Mix Media paper, a synthetic round brush #8 and a #4 with a pointy tip (you can use the same brushes for gouache)

- for gouache: Himi gouache set https://a.co/d/cDvl19X, 300 GSM/110 lb artist paper or Bristol paper, a synthetic round brush #8 and #4 with a pointy tip (you can use the same brushes for ink)

- for watercolor: Rosa Gallery Watercolor Set https://a.co/d/3pCZZQm , 300 GSM/110 lb cold press watercolor artist paper, Princeton Artist Brush Neptune Series 4750 - 4-Piece Synthetic Squirrel Watercolor Paint Brush Set: https://a.co/d/5MuDXle (I suggest you keep watercolor brushes separate from those for other media)

- for all: water jar, paper towels, a white ceramic tile or plate for a palette, graphite pencil, soft eraser, a paper Color Wheel, a plastic dropper/pipette, a ruler.

Please note that these are just examples. I’ve shared very detailed info on art materials in the video lessons.

I can’t wait to see you in my class! ~ Darya