Create Repeating Surface Patterns from Gradient Meshes in Adobe Illustrator

Learn a special technique for creating gridded, half-drop & half-brick seamless repeating patterns using Gradient Meshes in Adobe Illustrator!

Have you ever wanted to create an organic surface pattern using a Gradient Mesh in Adobe Illustrator, but couldn’t quite work out how to make it seamlessly repeatable? If yes, or if you never thought about doing so but like the idea and the look of this kind of vector patterns, then this class is for you!

As you might know from my other classes, I love pushing the boundaries of Adobe Illustrator’s tools for creating gradient designs and I am a huge fan of abstract artworks and patterns! And in this step-by-step class, I am excited to share with you a technique for creating seamlessly repeatable patterns using distorted gradient meshes in Adobe Illustrator!

In this class, you will learn:

• how to set up, manipulate and color Gradient Meshes in Adobe Illustrator to ensure seamless repetition;
• how to create basic grid repeats using your distorted Gradient Meshes;
• how to use the Shear tool to create more dynamic grid repeats;
• how to create half-drop and half-brick pattern variants;
• how to create pattern iterations by changing the aspect ratios of the tiles;
• how to set up a custom shortcut for the Pattern Make tool;
• how to export pattern tiles in a raster format and avoid annoying thin lines around the pattern tiles.

In this class I won’t be going into the tips and approaches to coloring Gradient Meshes, but if you need to learn about that too, please check out my class Abstract Gradients in Adobe Illustrator: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Organic Vibrant Artworks, and don’t hesitate to download and use the color groups I have attached in the Class Resources to easily get started with your coloring.

To follow along with this class, you will need a desktop version of Adobe Illustrator and ideally have some experience of working with Gradient Meshes, Color Swatches and Transformation tool in Adobe Illustrator.

I cannot wait to see all of the patterns you create using this surface pattern design technique!

— Evgeniya / Attitude Creative

P.S. Shoutout to Jaime Randall who originally challenged me to look into how to create seamless patterns out of Gradient Meshes for 1-on-1 tutorial session! If you have a burning technical question or want a personalised tutorial covering a specific technique or creative process, be sure to book a 1-on-1 session with me — I’ll be excited to help!