Tracing Caitlin’s Design Process
Initial Stages: Starting by Hand
Each design begins in a physical format. Generally, Caitlin starts by sketching. "What I enjoy most about starting by hand," she reflects, "is the immediacy it offers. Sketching allows me to generate ideas quickly and freely.” This initial stage leaves enough space for other media to shape and deepen each design.
“There's something deeply satisfying about the tactile process of putting pen to paper”
Media: Marrying Form to Format
Though each design begins with pencil sketching, it is completed with different media, which Caitlin chooses to best enhance it. She may fill out the initial sketch with pen and ink, which allow for detailed line work and a range of textures. This stage is perfect for capturing fine details.
Caitlin utilizes watercolor or gouache for creating painterly effects and adding color to a pattern before it is digitized. She turns to Sumi ink when she needs to add weight and contrast. She prefers this time-honored ink for “its expressive qualities and the bold, striking contrast it provides with thicks, thins and free flowing lines.” It allows for a range of effects, from delicate washes to strong, defined lines. Each medium brings its own unique texture and depth to Caitlin’s work.
Imperfections: Connecting to Art
Caitlin utilizes varying media for their individual qualities as well as the unique imperfections they may produce. The imperfections that come with handmade artwork add a unique texture and authenticity that are central to Caitlin’s design work.
Additionally, the physical format brings presence to the creative process. “There's something deeply satisfying about the tactile process of putting pen to paper,” Caitlin says. “It grounds me and connects me more intimately with my work." Working by hand creates a deeper connection to the design process, making each pattern more personal and meaningful.
Impact: How Patterns are Shaped by Hand
By starting her designs on paper, she ensures a hand-crafted quality that is increasingly rare in the digital age. "I take the design almost to completion by hand," she explains, "ensuring that every piece retains an organic feel.”
The unique qualities that emerge from drawing give each pattern a distinct character that can’t be replicated digitally. Additionally, this approach allows Caitlin the artistic freedom to experiment and explore different techniques and styles, resulting in more innovative and original patterns.
