How To Make A Pattern

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Creating patterns is a really simple thing to do, and they show up in various different forms of art. Some pieces of art are made up of several patterns, which can make the image look complex.

These may look so difficult that you wouldn’t be able to recreate them yourself. 

However, in this article we are going to guide you through, so you can learn how to create your own patterns. It’s actually much easier than you realize. All you need is a pencil and some paper, and you are ready to get started.

Basic Patterns

Before we get into how to create or make a pattern, let’s look into some basic patterns that you can use. There are numerous basic patterns that you can use within your art that you will see used in this guide today. These include the following:

• Circles
• Dots
• Waves
• Raindrops
• Crosses
• Loops
• Right Angles
• Squiggle

These patterns are all really simple. Yet, they are a great starting point when you’re looking to create more complex and difficult patterns. All you need to do is add your simple patterns to each other. 

Pattern 1: Easy

With this first pattern, we are starting with a very simple dot. 

Step 1: 

On your piece of paper and with your pencil. Draw a line of dots. Try to evenly place these dots on the row. If you are struggling to keep the dots in a straight line, you could use a ruler or even line or graph paper. Also, it doesn’t matter how many dots you decide to do, it is up to you!

Step 2:

Now that you have created your dots. You want to add a raindrop around every dot that you have made. 

Step 3:

After that, you will want to add another raindrop around the raindrops that you have just created. 

Step 4:

After you have created all your raindrops,  try adding a small circle to the top of each raindrop that you have created. 

Step 5:

Once all the circles are on top of each raindrop. You want to draw a small curl coming from the top of each circle that you have just drawn. This curl can either twist to the left or right. 

Step 6:

Now you want to add another curl, but this time it should be going in the opposite direction of the curls that you just drew.

Now your pattern is complete! This is a very simple pattern, but it shows you how easy it is to create a pattern. All you need to do is use the basic patterns from above and add them slowly to your image. 

Pattern 2: Medium

This second pattern is a little bit more complex compared to pattern 1. However, this step by step will show you how deceiving this pattern is, and it’s actually really easy to do.

Step 1:

Start again by drawing a row of dots.

Step 2:

Around each dot, you need to draw a circle around it.

Step 3:

Now you want to draw another circle around all the circles you have just created.

Step 4:

For each circle, you have just drawn, you need to add some flower petals to each circle. This should make them look like large flowers.

Step 5:

Once you have completed your flower petals, add a small circle under each flower.

Step 6:

On either side of the small circle you have just created, you need to draw two raindrops. You want to try and angle these raindrops so that they angle around the flower. 

Step 7:

Underneath the small circle, draw a squiggly line. It is up to you how long you want to make it, but you would suggest that you don’t make it too long.

Step 8:

After that, draw a small circle in between each squiggly line that you have created. 

Step 9:

Now, around the small circles that you have just drawn, add another circle around each circle.

Step 10:

Now on the new circles you have just drawn, you want to draw three petals on the bottom of each circle.

You have now made a much more complex pattern. It may have seemed hard to begin with and required more steps, but it was actually really easy to do. 

Pattern 3: Hard

This is a much more difficult pattern, but we have faith that you will be able to do this easily. Just follow the steps, and you can’t go wrong! What you will notice straight away is that with this pattern we are not going to start with dots, instead, we are starting with a wave.

Step 1:

Draw a long wave. 

Step 2:

On top of your wave, you now want to draw another long wave.

Step 3:

Now, on each point of the wave that you have created, you need to draw a loop. If you don’t know what this is, then think of an upside-down raindrop, with the pointy end connecting to the point of the wave. 

Step 4:

Between each loop (or upside-down raindrop), draw a small circle.

Step 5:

Below the wave, we want you to draw a straight line. You can do this freehand or use a ruler. It is up to you!

Step 6:

Now you want to connect this straight line to the bottom wave line. To do this, you are going to add lots of vertical lines to connect both of the lines together. It is up to you how straight you make these lines. Once again, you can do this freehand or use a ruler.

Step 7:

Once you have completed all your vertical lines. Add another straight line underneath the pattern you have created so far.

Step 8:

Under the straight line you have just created, add a row of small circles.

You have now completed this difficult pattern. It may have seemed difficult to begin with, but once you break it down, it really isn’t that bad at all!

Final Thoughts

You should now be able to create your own patterns. All you need to remember is that a pattern is just a repeat of basic shapes. When you want to make a complex pattern, you just need to break the pattern down into steps, and you will be able to complete the pattern easily. 

A lot of cultures such as Japanese, African and Indian have their own distinctive patterns. You could use them as inspiration to create your own patterns from now one. Remember, take it one step at a time, use your simple shapes and patterns that you know. Then your own pattern will be easy to make.