So you want it all? You have come to the right place!
From the e-desk of Tara Reed,
Licensed Artist
(Portland, Oregon)
Dear Fellow Artist,
Let me share a quick story.
July 2005. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...
I was just getting serious about licensing my art. I had exhibited at Surtex in May. Woo-Hoo! I had a new deal!
A fundraising company wanted to use 3 of my patterns (not just 1 but 3!) for wrapping paper. This was exciting!
“Can you put the patterns in repeat?” they asked.
Oh dear… now we are heading into the tough spot. I wanted the job and I wanted them to find me easy to work with so they’d look at my art again. So I SO WANTED to be able to do repeats.
But the truth of the matter was this: I had invested a sizeable chunk of change in the professional version of Photoshop™ but didn’t know how to use 2% of its features.
I openly admitted that I was a danger to myself and others at times, I had “on the job” training, never having taken the time to take a class. At that time, I had 3 ways that I was learning:
- I learned what to do with the program by clients telling me what they needed me to know.
- I learned by making mistakes and therefore making cool, timesaving discoveries.
- I bought a book and would look things up as I got frustrated and befuddled.
The designer working with me was kind enough to explain a few pieces of the repeat puzzle, but it wasn’t working every time. Sometimes it would and sometimes there would be this weird gap in my images. Neither of us could figure out why.
I discovered that yelling at my computer in frustration didn’t really help – it just startled my son. Pleading with it didn’t work either.
The book I bought sat by my side taunting me: “You’ll be up and running in no time!” I was not!
So… I got creative.
(It’s what we do, right?) I called all the art schools in my area until a guy who answered the phone turned out to be a Photoshop™ guru and he was willing to
be hired by the hour. 
This wonderful man came to my house. He listened to my problems. He looked at my computer. He grabbed the keyboard and said, “Oh. You just need to do this that and the other and you’re good.
No sweat!”
Why wasn’t “this that and the other” in my book? Why couldn’t I find it online? Why were people keeping this information to themselves, like you had to belong to some special club with a secret handshake to be ‘in the know’? So now I had the basics and I got the project done. I am still proudly using the paper. I especially enjoy using the pink purse toss for my brother’s birthday gifts.
Like an old Kenny Rodgers song…
the repeat pattern skills have served me through the years. (and no, they’ve never let me down!)
Fast forward to 2008 – I’ve learned more and honed my basic repeat skills. Some by trial and error, others as bits of wisdom whispered in my ear by clients, others by sheer accident.
I have noticed that others, maybe you, seem to have the same frustration with this process. Why isn’t it easy to find and easy to follow? Got me!
But guess what – there is hope because now… you’ve got me!
For every collection I create to license, I have icons, repeat borders and repeat patterns. I have found this to be a flexible and marketable way to build my business and keep my clients happy.
I DO THIS EVERY DAY… so I know it works.
I’ve stopped saying, “I should get organized and show people how to do this” and I’ve gotten busy and put together a very visual, step by step guide.
So I ask again –
WHO ELSE WANTS TO CREATE REPEAT BORDERS AND PATTERNS,
WITHOUT HAVE TO SIFT THROUGH EVERY FEATURE,
FILTER AND FUNCTION OF PHOTOSHOP™?
If you are on the edge of your seat, sit back and relax because I have everything you need, right here! If you need no further information but are chomping at the bit –
If you have an inquisitive mind and want to know more, keep reading. |
I personally guarantee that you will find this eBook combo an invaluable resource. After all, I know it works since I use these techniques daily. If you don't agree after reading it, you have 30 days to request your money back, no questions asked.
A few freebies for good measure …