25 Easy Patterns to Draw and Paint on your Art Journal Pages

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Discover 25 easy patterns to draw and paint on your art journal pages and develop basic skills while challenging yourself in a new way. As an artist, exploring new techniques and finding unique ways to express yourself is an essential part of your creative journey. And, patterns and motifs are a fantastic artistic world in which you can immerse yourself in pushing your boundaries and refining your skills. So, grab your favorite tools, open your heart to experimentation, and let the patterns and motifs guide you toward new artistic horizons.

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How to Start Pattern Artistic Journey

Learning to paint patterns and motifs can be an exciting and fulfilling artistic journey. Whether you are a beginner starting your first art journal or an experienced artist looking to expand your creative horizons, exploring the world of patterns and motifs in your artwork can bring a new level of depth and visual interest to your compositions. Enhance your technical abilities by experimenting with different styles and approaches to pattern-making, various color palettes, textures, and compositions. Here are a few steps and tips to help you embark on this artistic endeavor:

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Research and Study

Dive into the world of patterns and motifs by studying their history, cultural significance, and different artistic approaches. Explore the works of renowned pattern designers and artists to gain insight into their techniques and artistic choices. Understanding the principles behind successful pattern design will help you create visually captivating compositions. Studying different styles and taking notes will help you create a list of prompts to enrich your practice.

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Experiment with Different Mediums

Patterns and motifs can be expressed through a wide range of mediums, including ink pens, watercolors, acrylics, oils, or gouache. Experiment with different materials and tools to find which medium suits your style and preferences. Each medium offers its own set of possibilities, allowing you to explore texture, transparency, and layering to enhance your patterns. Whether you prefer working with traditional materials like paints and brushes or exploring digital tools, this learning journey will provide you with ample opportunities to experiment.

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25 Easy Patterns to Draw and Paint to Develop Basic Skills

Before diving into complex patterns and motifs, it’s essential to develop a solid foundation in basic artistic skills. Practice drawing simple shapes, mastering line work, and becoming comfortable with color theory. This will provide a strong base for creating intricate patterns and motifs later on. Then, look for patterns in nature, architecture, textiles, etc., such as botanicals, geometric shapes, lettering, floral motifs with a spring aesthetic, etc. Here are 25 easy patterns to practice.

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1

Grid

Draw evenly spaced vertical and horizontal lines. Wash alternate squares or use gradient across the grid.

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2

Polka Dots

Fill with flat color and draw evenly or randomly spaced circles of varied sizes. Add tiny white highlights for dimension.

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3

Stripes

Use a dry brush for texture and create parallel lines, such as straight, wavy, or diagonal with alternate colors.

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4

Chevron with V Stripes

Repeat V shapes across the page and use two-tone contrasts to make the V’s pop.

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5

Herringbone

Draw short parallel slanted strokes that interlock and layer a light wash, then darken alternating segments.

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6

Scales

Draw overlapping semicircles in rows and gradient each row or add metallic highlights.

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7

Waves

Make flowing S-shaped curves and use a wet-on-wet watercolor for soft blends.

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8

Checkerboard

Outline even squares in a grid and use alternate bold colors or a mix of texture and flat paint.

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9

Simplified Houndstooth

Draw small geometric broken shapes repeating in monochrome high-contrast because it works better.

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10

Zigzag Doodles

Trace irregular zigzags, changing spacing for rhythm, block filling, or washing behind for depth.

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11

Spirals

Compose repetitive spirals with center-to-edge gradient or inner edges highlights.

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12

Crosshatch Texture

Scetch layered angled lines to create value and glaze over with a single color to unify.

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13

Tiny Leaves in Foliage Pattern

Create simple teardrop leaf shapes on stems, using two greens and adding veins with a fine pen.

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14

Abstract Blobs

Compose organic rounded shapes that overlap with translucent layers of color for depth.

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15

Dotted lines

Try rows of spaced dots forming lines or curves. Vary dot size and color for movement.

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16

Mandala Slices with Repeat Wedges

Divide a circle into wedges and fill repeating motifs. Pick a limited palette and paint symmetrically.

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17

Zentangle Tiles

Paint small square tiles and draw each with a different simple motif. Keep tiles monochrome, or color only a few for focus.

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18

Tiny Houses or Buildings

Draw simple rectangles with triangle roofs repeating and paint muted base colors. Add ink details after paint dries.

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19

Feathers

Outline central shaft with soft barbs and repeat at angles. Dry brush or watercolor granulation for texture.

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20

Chevron of Dots

Outline V-shaped rows of dots that form chevrons, using gradient dot colors to guide the eye.

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21

Scattered Stars

Draw tiny five-point or simple starbursts clustered or sparse with metallic or white on dark wash for night-sky effect.

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22

Brick pattern

Scetch staggered rectangles like a wall and add subtle mortar lines with a thin brush for realism.

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23

Washi-tape Stripes

Outline uneven parallel strips like layered tape, mixing opaque and translucent stripes and scratching edges lightly.

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24

Concentric Rings

Make repeated circles around a center point and use alternate warm/cool or dark/light rings for contrast.

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25

Handwritten Words Pattern

Write repeating short words or single letters in a loose script. You can paint watercolor wash underneath and ink words on top for legibility.

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Create Thumbnail Sketches

When designing patterns and motifs, it’s helpful to start with thumbnail sketches. These small, quick drawings allow you to experiment with different compositions, arrangements of elements, and color schemes. Sketching also helps you plan out the flow and repetition of your patterns before committing to a larger canvas.

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Explore Repetition and Symmetry

Patterns often rely on repetition and symmetry to create a visually harmonious and cohesive design. Experiment with different ways to repeat and mirror elements within your compositions. Create an all-over pattern, directional pattern, and full bleed pattern. Try to use negative space. And, play with variations in scale, rotation, and placement to add interest and rhythm to your patterns. Thus, you will learn to artfully arrange motifs and improvise patterns.

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Embrace Your Style

As you become more comfortable with patterns and motifs, allow yourself to develop a unique style that reflects your personality and artistic vision. Don’t be afraid to step outside traditional boundaries and incorporate unconventional motifs or colors into your work. The purpose of this challenge is not to create perfect pieces every day but to embrace the joy of exploration and growth of your style. So, consider imperfections as valuable lessons and part of the evolution to gain new artistic skills. Embracing your individuality will make your patterns truly one-of-a-kind.

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Practice and Patience

Mastering any art takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and enjoy the process of experimentation and growth. Keep practicing regularly, pushing yourself to explore new techniques and ideas. With perseverance and consistency, you’ll continue to improve and refine your skills.

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Document and Share your Progress

To make this process even more enriching, you can keep a visual diary and create a portfolio of patterns in a personalized book, documenting your progress along the way. Alternatively, you can share your artwork on social media platforms to connect with fellow artists and gather feedback. Engaging with a supportive community can inspire you, offer valuable insights, and provide a fresh perspective on your artistic endeavors.

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Attend an Online Lesson

Lastly, consider attending an online lesson to get a thorough knowledge of patterns and motifs. Art lessons like Lisa Congdon class on Creativebug, offer step-by-step expert instructions. You can have guidance and support from a starting detailed supplies list and video lessons while accessing online anytime to participate and interacting in an online art community. Learning to paint patterns and motifs is not just about the result, but also about the joy of creative exploration. Embrace the journey and have fun!

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^{This page contains AFFILIATE LINKS. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Plus, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more on the disclosure policy page.}

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