Category Archives: Patterns

Moresque Ornament – Day 19 of 30 in 30

Moresque Postcard. 4 x 6. Watercolor and pen on 140 lb. cold press paper. © 2014 Sheila Delgado

Owen Jones considered the Alhambra unsurpassed perfection. His chapter on Moresque ornament in The Grammar of Ornament shows designs from only this location. He devoted more attention to this one building than he did to many of the entire civilizations he addressed in the book.

The Moors followed a strict set of principles in their constructions. This same was true of their use of color. The laws of nature were observed, and color was used to further define architectural features. Literal depictions of living forms were forbidden by their faith. They focused on geometric patterns. Written inscriptions were ever-present as a reminder that no matter how inspiring the building created, “there is no conqueror but God.”

I love the warm, earthy tones of the plates in the book. I added a bit of the coast to my palette. I started this design in Photoshop, creating the pieces as I would for a fabric repeat.

Pattern pieces

My awe for complicated repeating patterns remains intact. I spent more time trying to duplicate this pattern, than I did painting it. And this is simplified from what appears in the book. Once I had the pattern set, I transferred that to the card, and applied color.

This painting lacks perfection, but it is pretty.

I was hoping to get ahead on the challenge today. I should have known better than to take on a mathematical design and think it would be quick. Oh well, I still had fun!

Spoonflower Fall Leaves Contest

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If you remember, in October I painted a fall leaf for the Milliande Birthday postcard swap. And if you don’t remember, that is OK. You can see it here.

My Dear friend Joan Princing had the great idea of using it for a fabric design. I did a very simple toss pattern and that is my entry in this weeks Spoonflower design contest. If you like what you see, you can vote for me. There is only one page, just click and submit.

I appreciate your support, and I thank you for taking the time!

Surface design from watercolor painting, fall leaf. 4 x 6 on 140 lb. cold press paper. © 2013 Sheila Delgado

Festive Fall Fabric

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This does not scream party or holiday and maybe it does not really qualify as “festive”. But then again, maybe it does:

fes·tive
adjective \ˈfes-tiv\
: cheerful and exciting : suited to a celebration or holiday
: of or relating to Christmas

Full Definition of FESTIVE

1: of, relating to, or suitable for a feast or festival <a festiveoccasion>

2: joyful, gay <a festive mood>

I just know that festive is the first word that came to mind when I saw this final pattern. I love it on white, the colors really pop. Then again, you are not supposed to wear white in the fall, right? I wasn’t thinking of clothing, but I started thinking maybe it would be better to have a warmer background. What do you think?

I do have a couple of ideas for companion patterns. One with a border of the leaves piling up. Hopefully I can finish those soon. Enjoy the rest of your day everyone!