Painting Patterns: Watercolor Stripes

Watercolor stripes seem to be one of those print and pattern trends that never goes away. Thick or thin, clean or messy, watercolor stripes are a hit in a variety of markets season after season. I have developed countless watercolor stripes for my clients over the past couple years and in this video I share some quick tips to getting started using watercolors to create your own prints and patterns. I haven’t taken a watercolor course since middle school, so I might not use the most conventional techniques, but I have used watercolors in my textile design work for over ten years and learned some tricks along the way. I hope that you enjoy this post on painting patterns!

This video will show you what supplies you’ll need to get started painting patterns as well as a few tips to speed up your process and create a more interesting final piece. In our latest Textile Design Lab tutorial, which went live today, I share how to turn these rough stripes into a polished layout that is ready to be sold to clients around the world.

Here’s a list of recommended supplies:

1. Strathmore Watercolor paper cold press 90 lb

2. Prang Oval Pan Watercolor Set, 16 Classic Colors

3. Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Sketchers’ Pocket Box set of 12

4. Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Color, 8ml

If you have any questions about the process please reach out through the comments or via social media. If you are a buyer interested in viewing our watercolor stripe collection please email us for more information.

At Pattern Observer we strive to help you grow your textile design business through our informative articles, interviews, tutorials, workshops and our private design community, The Textile Design Lab.

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