How talented must you be at drawing?

[Toothpick]

Do you have to be an artist, or graphic designer of sorts to design your own patterns? I’ve been getting some requests for stuff that is hard to come by in the pre-made pattern world. Like Lighthouse and a rocket. Would be great if I could just design my own patters. But I have absolutely zero drawing skills. 

Do most folks just find a cool picture and turn it in to a pattern? Or do they really design their own? 

[don in brooklin on]

I have zero artist ability but have designed a number of my own patterns.  Many are word art but I have done some others.

You usually have to start with a picture or a silhouette from a source that will allow you to download and use royalty free.  It is called a creative common licence.  Steve Good does this often.

You can then incorporate into a pattern.  Many here in the village use Inkscape due to the great lessons posted by Travis.  If you have a problem posted it and someone will usually help you.

I am sure that there are some that are artists and do original art work and create great works of art.  Check out Charles Dearing.

Let us know what you are looking for and place a request in the pattern request section,  Be as specific as possible. 

 

[Toothpick]

Thanks, Don. 

Not really looking for anything at the moment. Really just wanting to know how others with zero drawing skill make their own patterns. I have downloaded Inkscape but have not got a chance to really dig in and learn it yet. I’m glad you mentioned the lessons from Travis, I forgot about those. Seems like a good place to start. 

[lawson56]

Some artistic skills are needed,I do most of mine with two programs I have on my computer,but I also do some free hand,when the comp,can't quite get what I want.

[jerry1939]

I only draw when I need to, but it's not my thing.  For practice, I import a free pattern, i.e Steve Good or from the library on this site and trace it to get the hang of what other people do.  Use a different color line.  I prefer red.

jerry

[teachnlearn]

Use Gimp or Inkscape which are free graphics programs. Go to google and search for what you want as "line drawing", and click images on the search bar area. Under advance look at settings or advanced settings and find art that is free, copyright free or approved for use. You can search for line drawings for anything, in fact, there is a lighthouse I found a while ago. This will give you a basic pattern to search for and modify. Also, try scrollsaw, scroll saw pattern with the same settings. No need to take someone's pattern or art when there are generous people that post free images. Another source I have seen recommended is children's coloring books, the drawings are so basic they are scroll saw friendly. Not sure if the copyrights clear, but I have seen this posted and used many times over the years. I used to go to bookstores and walmart and thumb through a batch of coloring books. These are getting a bit rare without buying them blind off of eBay or Amazon. Still, a cheap investment in batches of patterns may even find themed coloring books. Many of these are so old on copyright they "may" have expired for copyright and they won't take you to court. With enough modifications, it may actually end up your artwork, but I'm no lawyer and don't know. At this time I don't even know if anyone has been taken to court for scroll sawing patterns from a children's books. They are so basic you will probably want to add more to give it interest. I have used a few for puzzles,  dinosaurs, USA maps. Hope this helps. RJF

[Mort Tenon]

I have made very simple patterns using Photoshop, and drawing things like pine trees by hand. I made one pattern from a stagecoach that I photographed myself, also in Photoshop, but it lacks detail and is mostly a silhouette. I too wish I had more talent at creating original art. I will settle for just being able to make a decent pattern from a photograph. That way I have no copyright issues.

Edited February 25, 2019 by Mort Tenon
better placement of image

[Toothpick]

Thanks for the input folks! I guess I just need to sit down and start learning!