Frequently Asked Questions- Drawing materials and tools I use

 

Hello!

I hope you all are absolutely fine and taking a good care of yourself... 

Before I start with my personal journey as a surface pattern designer, I would like to let you know that I am a self-taught designer. I don't have any design degree from any Design Institution. I did some online classes (I will share all that in my upcoming blog posts), hunted and gathered information from GOOGLE, asked for help from my designer friends, and practiced, practiced and practiced a lot. 

Almost anything is possible if you put your heart and soul in it... I did. And I am totally loving what I am doing. 

Today I am sharing all the materials and tools that I use for drawing and designing. 

These are some of the drawing materials that I have been using since my school days. I am quite used to of them and I like them a lot. You can use whatever stationery goods you find good for your own work style and also what is easily available in your area or country. I am in India and I can get these things from my local stationery stores-

1) Pencil- I use Faber-Castell, Camlin, Apsara, Nataraj, Classmate - HB, 2B

I started with (and still use) the pencils my daughters used in their school days. The grip is good, soft and smooth lines and easily erasable. I used to draw with Nataraj, Apsara and Camlin Flora pencils (with cute tiny pink flowers) in my school days! 

2) Eraser- Choose an eraser that gives you a non-smudgy paper. I use Camlin erasers, Apsara non-dust regular erasers.

3) Sharpeners- for your pencils.

4) Ruler

5) Paper- I love to draw on Bond papers, 85gsm/100gsm, A4 size. 

Bond papers are good for drawing, writing, etc. The pen lines run smoothly on them. I like the clean white smooth surface that is so good when I am scanning my drawings. These Bond papers are also very good for printing. I print my patterns on it too to check the colours and scale.

There are variety of papers available in markets for drawing and sketching. Smooth, light textured, heavy textured or rough surface, canvas papers, handmade papers, etc. You must try different types of papers before choosing the one (or many) for your own drawing style. 

I mostly work on Adobe Illustrator so I need to have a paper that gives me neat, clear and crisp pen lines. If I am using Photoshop for any project then I play with a variety of papers- with or without textures.

It is absolutely not necessary to stick to one drawing style, so experimenting with different papers and art materials is always good!

6) Pen- I use Uni-ball 'Fine' for most of my drawings. I also use Uni-ball 'Micro' when I have to do some fine fillings inside my main motifs. Uni-ball 'IMPACT' is good for thicker outlines. 

Other pens that I use are Pilot V7 and V5, Baoke Gel pens, etc.

Try to test as many pencils and pens during your research time for good stationery supplies. This will help you find the one that you feel is good for your own work and drawing techniques. Other popular pens for drawing and sketching are- SAKURA, TOMBOW, ART LINE, STAEDTLER, etc. 

If you are working with mixed media then it is fun to use different pens and markers or brushes that gives the desired effects to the artwork.

7) Scanner- I use HP (A4 size, home printer + scanner) to scan, print and copy. You can also scan your artworks with a Scanner App on your mobile phone. 

8) Printer- You will need a printer if you want to see the colours and size of your artworks. Although it is not necessary, but having one at home gives you the freedom of testing your own designs and patterns without having any doubt.

9) Computer/Laptop- You will need a computer or a laptop if you work digitally. 

10) Designing Software- I have Adobe software- Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Photoshop is best for all types of mixed media and hand-drawn-hand painted artworks. 

Some other useful things-

I also have an External Hardware to store all my files (from 2009-till now). Can't always rely on computer hardware, so some extra storage is a good choice.

Dropbox/We Transfer- to send/share your large files with other people and clients.

Other supplies that you need are the ones you like working with- Coloured pencils, watercolour pencils, crayons and oil pastel colours, watercolours/acrylics/gouache, markers and Sharpies, glitter pens/brush pens/gel pens, block print/lino print, various types of papers, canvas, fabrics, etc. The list is endless.

These are some of the materials that I use in my personal works and client works. 

Sometimes I just like to play with my daughters' art supplies- glitter pens, crayons, coloured markers, paper-cut, anything that we can engage ourselves on some fun and relaxing crafternoons. It is a good way to break monotony in your own work and daily routine and also to get rid of creative block!

Play with different mediums and give wings to your creativity!

Have a lovely week!

Frequently Asked Questions- Where to start?

 

Hey everyone!

Here I am, beginning this new series with this one and big question--- Where to start/ How to start designing? 

Now, before we get into all the details, I would first request you to ask yourself (loud and clear) ---  Am I ready to start a new thing in my life? - Am I ready to change my profession completely?  - Is this change just a hobby or a full time job?  - Am I ready to devote my 24/7 thinking and practicing drawing and designing without feeling bored?  - Will I be okay if someone gives me my first assignment (client brief)? 

If most of the answers are in 'okay, yes!' / 'of course yes!', then you are ready... 

-------------------------------------------------------

You would have noticed that one of my questions was- 'Is this change just a hobby or a full time job?' This is because I started this blog just to share my love for sewing and drawing. That's all. I never thought of this as a job until I got my first client email asking for creating a scarf design... And the rest is history.

How and where to start---

1) Drawing-  Whether it is traditional, with pencil on a paper or digital, on your computer or iPad, you should have a love for drawing.

At this point I would not suggest you to invest in any kind of fancy drawing tools or software or online/offline courses. I would rather request you to let yourself give some time to explore with your drawing skills and techniques. And to notice how much you are enjoying doing this.

Start with some simple dots and then try filling the entire page (or a small area) with small circles, ovals, dashes, stars, any shape. Doodle. Play with all types of mark makings. Use different pens, pencils, markers, felt tip pens/sketch pens, water colour, crayons--- anything that you have. 

Enjoy the process of making something that you had not done in years... It is truly therapeutic and meditational.

When you are a bit familiar with your drawing tools you can go a little further and take a look around your home to see what else you can draw. Believe it or not but our, even tiniest, home has so much inspirations to offer. You can start with your own room- doors, windows, the curtains- hanging loosely or tied up neatly at one side, table lamp, pen holders, doormats, whatever object you can notice worth drawing. Don't bother about the shapes of your initial sketches and drawings. We can practice and improve it later on...

Draw anything and everything that you can find in your home! This will help you decide your own drawing style too--- realistic/artistic.

 

Find some more objects around your house-- seasonal flowers and fruits, leaves and grass in your potted plants, motifs on your table runner or bed sheets, winter caps and socks, footwear, kitchenware... Make notes in between. I have a habit of writing notes while I do my rough sketches-- about the colours and details that I would later on add in it. 

It's a good practice to write down the ideas that are flowing while you are sketching/doodling. You may forget it later on...

When you are comfortable enough to draw simple objects you may like to try some intricate ones too by adding some details into your motifs. Try drawing from your own imagination or the things you have seen somewhere, while going for a walk or shopping. Imagination fuels creativity. 

Don't rush at drawing all the things all at once. You need to make out time to practice on your drawing, everyday for at least 15-30 minutes. 

All these drawings and rough sketches are my own old and new works from 2011-2020! So, be patient. Things take time to develop. Give yourself time to grow at your own pace...

Take your own time. Develop your own style and see what YOU want to draw. What things or motifs you are attracted to. 

As, for example, I am drawn towards intricate designs-- Persian motifs and paisleys, the detailed carvings of old Indian temples, palaces and Mughal Monuments. 

Play with all types of art materials that you have. As a child we were happy to experiment with art and craft, to express ourselves. Now, as grown ups, we feel a bit scared of spoiling the paper, fabric or any surface. Let go of your fear and explore as much as possible. 

Surface designing is not about drawings alone. It is about the feelings that you have while creating an artwork (abstract or realistic). Your feelings and emotions matter. Express as much as possible with the art materials you love.

Keep practicing. The more you practice drawing and doodling, the more you will find a consistency in your work. 

All you need is a consistency in your work. To grow as an artist/doodler/designer/anything, you need to be completely committed to what you are doing.

In my next post I will share the materials and tools that I use while designing-- traditional and digital.

Take good care.

Frequently Asked Questions- about my work, life and career

 

Hello Everyone!

Okay okay, I know this is something very new and surprising... But I had to. In my almost '10 years' of running this design blog I have been getting a lot of questions from my family and relatives, friends (and strangers), about my work and career (and my life in between these two words/worlds).

So, I thought this new series of blog post will be good to answer all the queries. 

If you want to ask me anything about my life as a surface pattern designer, you can mail me your questions here: nanditark17@gmail.com  

I will try my best to give very honest and informative answers...

A bit about myself--- I am a self-taught designer. Started late (at 36 ), a housewife, a be-at-home-mom of two little kids, no knowledge about designing... Yes. This is true. Before jumping into this amazing and exciting design career I knew nothing about this term- SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN! I had never even heard about this term before. 

But here I am. Surviving and thriving.

I have completed my 10 full years (oh my GOD! I can't believe it) writing this blog. I have made mistakes and learnt through them.  I still think of myself as a struggler trying to make my way in this vast world of surface designing. 

You can read my previous blog post here   My journey as a  'self- taught' artist.

The one big and common question that comes to me often is how you started / why you chose to become a designer. 

In my next post I will give you all the details --- how to start, where to start, how to search for inspiration, etc. 

If you have any questions you want to ask me, just send me a mail... 

See you all soon.

Misty Winter Mornings- colours and patterns

 

Hello!

It's February already and I am still loving and enjoying the last few days of Winter! It seems that I am not ready to welcome Spring yet... 

Misty Winter mornings   Those cold, foggy, calm and peaceful mornings. I have tried to capture that coziness through these soft colours and simple patterns.

Digital patterns/papers are available in my Etsy shop. Some of the patterns are in seamless repeat. You can use this pattern collection in your small handmade business. Gift bags, gift tags, fabrics, pillows/cushions (as in the sample below), bags/purses, scrapbooking or card-making, giftwrap... the possibilities are endless!

But please do not resell the patterns as is in your Etsy or any other shops...

The colours that I used in this lovely and calm collection. 

Enjoy!