Jan
18
2014

BLOG HOP TROPICAL FUSION


Once again I am forced into the blogging world. I am actually dragging myself back to the blogging sphere. My friend and pattern collegue Mary Tanana gathered us together to form a blog hop so when you know you have been a 'non poster' for a while, what better opportunity.

If you are following on in the Blog hop you have probably come from the lovely Jennie at J.L.Illustration blog here.. and will probably know all about it by now so I won't bore you with details.

Lets just get on shall we...

Here is what I made (I hope you like it) and below that is how I did it..!! For the most part people read blogs to find stuff out, nitty gritty stuff about how things are achieved, how they did them, was it drawn or photographed, did the person take an age to do it, or whether they just threw it together. I'm not ashamed to admit I started these patterns and completed them in around 4 hours.. (you can tell, can't you?)


I began as usual with my friend and obsession Pinterest. I made up a board of all the things which I feel relate in some way to the theme tropical fusion. You can see (and hopefully follow my boards here).

After a good root around and lots of diverted pinning (about 300 pins worth of non related stuff actually) - not the best idea when you are sofa surfing with chocolate at hand.  I started drawing a few shapes in pencil, an idea etc. I think Pinterest is quite clever, it's sort of like shopping on the cheap, you pin it, and it's kind of yours some how.. weird.


I work in Illustrator for the most part, but if I'm feeling brave I might finish in Photoshop and below I added a couple of subtle brushes to complete the effect - gives it a bit of mood I think. The pattern above has quite a big brush of a dead rose head..


Here are a couple of shots of work in progress within Illustrator.




I tend to gather all my motifs and a few besides together in my file and start adding colour. My patterns can go either way at this point and are often dragged to the rubbish bin if they refuse to come together in say 15 mins max. I like to work quickly but with an idea of what I want in my head before I begin.

So I hope you liked them, please pop over to the next blog - lovely work by Joni Barriere at Studio Lulu Designs here. 

Or if you just joined me, and think you might have missed something jump back to the beginning blog Mary Tanana of Groovity Designs here

Thanks for visiting - and come back soon.


54 comments:

  1. Really beautiful Trina! I love all the patterns and the colours are just gorgeous! Really enjoyed reading about your work process too.

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    1. Thank you Rebecca, looking forward to everyone's as well.

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  2. Brilliant patterns! Love seeing your working process too!

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  3. Very beautiful collection !

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  4. Trina, this is wonderful! I love seeing how you do it. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  5. I don't think I could do half as much in 4 hours, well done! I can relate to your work method though.

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    1. Ha ha Dawn, pretty much everything of mine is done the same way. Messy look hides quite a bit.

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  6. These are gorgeous Trina! Such a beautiful colour palette and really delicate motifs too. Just beautiful =)

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  7. Charming, fresh and elegant approach. Well done!

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  8. Very beautiful and lovely to see your process

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  9. Oh these designs are fantastic and complex. Beautiful!

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  10. So beautiful! I love seeing your progress.

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  11. Love the details and colours in your main print, I am sure it would sit very nicely on a pillow or duvet! Great idea to show your progress too :)

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    1. Thank you Sylvia, any duvet companies can have it, promise.

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  12. Gorgeous, gorgeous Trina! 15 minutes then to the rubbish bin? OMG, you work fast and your results are stunning :)

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    1. Thank you Mary, with 3 kids - my whole existence is rushed...glad you liked them and thank you for all your hard work putting our hop together.

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  13. so beautiful design and elegant. great work!

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  14. How fab to see the process of your work. Lovely designs!

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    1. Thanks Lindsey, we all love to know those bits.. :)

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  15. Beautiful Trina, really like that light green that you added into the Radiant Orchid mix. Nice sketches and gorgeous Tropical Pinterest finds. Also intriguing...the 15 minute limit! Very unique and inspiring style!

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    1. Thank you Ellie, I think I colour picked it off a photo on my board... Nature is better at colors than we are I think. Ha ha sometimes if it's not right, it will never be good - better to begin again. But glad you enjoyed the read too.

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  16. BEAUTIFUL!!! Love the sketches, love what you did with them! Congratulations!

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  17. Brilliant work Trina as always. I too love the colour combination of the bright green with the radiant orchid. I lreally, really love the monotone colour pattern. Great to see your process too.

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    1. Thank you - yes, I like the green too. Thanks for stopping by to comment.

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  18. very nice Trina! great to see your process!

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  19. Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your process. I thought I worked fast but I think you beat me!

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    1. Thank you Deborah, yes, working quickly is easier I think, less thinking time.

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  20. Hi Trina, Your designs are really beautiful. I can't believe you put them together in 4 hours. I wish I could work that fast!! Thanks for sharing the process too. Its very interesting. <3

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  21. Trina, You have such lovely fluidity in your designs. Gorgeous!

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  22. WOW! Stunning and really loved seeing your process!

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  23. great post! interesting to read about other peoples process and I love your patterns! featuring you on my blog tomorrow check it out when it gos live :) www.hayjayoh.wordpress.com

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    1. Wow, thank you. Going to check it out. Glad you liked them.

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  24. I love your flowers! The colors are fantastic. Also it was nice to see your process.

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  25. Lovely ... very beautiful collection!!!

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