Before we start the series, I thought we should get to know each other a little bit. Yes? Yes!⁣⁣

I'm Bonnie, an artist surface pattern designer, and educator for creatives. As a self-taught designer, I know how hard it can be to focus on your BIG dreams and conquer the learning curve that comes along with them. I also know how it feels to have your biggest dreams come true. My hope is to help you live the extraordinarily creative life of your dreams.

I fell in love with pattern design in 2009 and have experienced so much joy because of it. There's something extra special about the process of seeing your sketches, scribbles, and doodles come to life in this way! Here's your fair warning: making patterns can be very addicting! :)

I'm so happy you made the decision to join us. Let's get started!

Lesson #1: Sketch + Scan

In this lesson, we're working on sketches, paintings, or scanning in found items. As you'll soon see, there are always multiple ways to accomplish the same task in Adobe Illustrator. For our series, I'm walking you through the process of getting designs onto paper that you're happy with, which makes turning them into vectors extra easy in Illustrator (that's in the next lesson).⁣⁣

Class Tools + Supplies

• A pencil, pen and/or paint
  • Uni Pens
  • Palomino Blackwing Pencils
  • Black Ink
• A few found items like leaves or strings - anything that will scan in flat will work!
• White paper
  • Sketchbook
• A scanner (Note: If you don't have a scanner, you can take a photo of it with your phone!)
  • Canon Scanner
  • iScanner
• Adobe Illustrator (Note: You can start a free trial here.)

Lesson Objective

After watching Lesson #1, spend some time working on your sketches. I need you to hear me on this: you do not have to be an artist. I repeat, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE AN ARTIST! :) Your drawings can be as detailed or as simple as you like! Scribbles, circles, dots and handwritten words, letters or even your children's drawings will make beautiful repeating patterns. Your only task is to HAVE FUN!

▶ Work on your designs until you have a version that you're happy with on paper.

▶ Scan them in and visit the next lesson to start vectorizing them.

▶ Share your progress! Use the hashtag #learnwithbonniechristine to share your work with us on Instagram. We can't wait to see what you create!

Hey there, I'm Bonnie!

My biggest goal is to help give you the tools and resources you need to be successful at doing the work that lights your soul on fire.⁣⁣

I'd love to have you join me here. We're waiting to welcome you with open arms! This mini class is filled with the necessary tools you need to get started simply in designing your own fabric. I can't wait to see what you create!