Step-by-Step Guide to Repeating Patterns: HALLOWEEN EDITION

In this video, I’m taking you through the magical world of repeating patterns. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned artist, this tutorial will give you the tools to create endless, seamless patterns that could end up anywhere—wallpaper, furniture, packaging, and even curtains! I’ll show you two ways to do it: the classic manual approach, where you control every little detail, and a streamlined, more automated method using Adobe Capture and Adobe Fresco.

I’ll be drawing a spooky Halloween pattern—because it’s October and I’m vibing with all things ghosts, vampires, and candy corn. I’ll break down the process from brainstorming ideas and filling in those tricky little gaps to adding color and making the pattern repeat forever.

Plus, I’ve got pro tips for getting your elements to fit like puzzle pieces, picking a balanced color palette, and even speeding up the whole process with a handy Photoshop shortcut.

Whether you want your pattern super-tight or a little looser, you’ll walk away ready to fill the world with your creations.

My color guide:

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🐐👨‍👨‍👦‍👦 👨‍👩‍👧👩‍👧‍👦🦁🦄

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DISCLOSURE: I sometimes review and/or link to products & services I have used (or tried). When available, I use referral links, which means if you click one of the links in this video or description and make a purchase I may receive a small commission or other compensation.

[mariacruse]

Thanks for making everything so fun! I’m drawing again thanks to you!

[revengeofcoco]

your art makes me so happy as an artist <3 Such an inspiration..

[detagustin]

YOU ARE MY FRESCO HERO! (or all things digital drawing 🤓) I’ve incorporated many of your techniques and processes. They just make so much sense in how I draw. Thank you for teaching me so much!

[herogear_art]

I love this tutorial, especially since I first learned how to make patterns in Illustrator, before their pattern tool existed! I didn’t know raster graphics could end up looking so clean as a pattern too!

[rdendelacruz]

will follow your tutorial making patterns

[dillongentry]

Great video. There is some really great stuff here!

[luciabrown]

Thank you so much for such an incredibly educational and FUN video Chris!!! 🎉❤ You are such an inspiration for me and you’ve got so much amazing talent - thank you so much for taking the time to show the world (and for making our lives easier lol) YOU ROCK!

[aubreyzaragoza]

You made my day! Now I can try making patterns myself I'm excited!

[jennacallahan]

I thought you were going to say “the candy corn is saying I HATE YOU TOO” 😂 love it. Haha.

[herogear_art]

What do you call a vampire lollipop?

A sucker!

[nichadaye]

Thanks for doing a new repeating pattern. I’ll have to watch it again. I’m learning fresco and this time you did it all in fresco. I have photoshop and capture options.

[robertsinzieri]

This is awesome. Love the candy corn. Can you please make a “boy, howdy” t-shirt design.

[AJMcKraken]

I bet you’re really good at Tetris 😂 I need to practice getting several doodles to fit together like a puzzle. Mine are frequently loosey goosey

[bekindrewindd]

This is great. Many thanks! I am wondering, what company did you use to have your personalized desk mat made?

[dianalisarobinson]

Yes I wondered lol I conquered Riso. I can do this :)😂

[maketimeart]

This is a great video! Now all I need to do is come up with a reason as to why I need a pattern! Tiny wallpaper? Wrapping paper for tiny gifts?.... That's it, I'm out 😆 feel free to make suggestions 😁

[mch]

Hey Chris, just a quick Fresco question. Consider Adobe as a big cutting edge passenger ship like the pre-crash Titanic was. Most of the passengers are out and about in the fine dining areas, let's call them the Apple class. Other less fortunate ones on Adobe's ship are in the lower sections, the stowage, locked behind the luggage. These are the Windows class. My question is how do the Windows class, use the Symmetry tools in Frisco?

[deanharrison]

Love your videos man! But please fix the hand on your candy corn. You’ve got his left hand on his right arm, if we are seeing the back of his hand the thumb should be on the other side. Did I mention I love your videos

[lexyrae]

Where did you get this shirt?!? It’s amazing

[sylviehart]

Spiders. I hate them. I don't draw them. :P Thankful my design jobs have nothing to do with them... yet. I would probably refuse that job unless they pay me five figures.

Thanks for the video as always! Fun stuff