The Joy of Recolouring

There are several designs that I have numerous colour options for.  There's something magical about recolouring a design and seeing new elements that were not prominent come to the fore.  In some cases the design can transform into something completely different.  

One such set of patterns is "Cowrie Star".  This was one of the first patterns that I created when I first started getting interested in pattern design.  The original colouring was an incongruous combination of sky blue, hot pink, lilac and yellow, with dark grey accents.  I decided that I didn't like it so I attempted to recolour it (at that point it was still quite early in my design journey).  I ended up with a really bold orange, blue red and pink combination.  I actually quite like it, but it is quite difficult to look at!   I wouldn't want an entire outfit made from it, but it would work wonderfully as a bold accent or trim, or in patchwork and quilting.

Original design

First attempt at recolouring

In the second example the stars are much more prominent and the detail in the surrounding elements is much more noticeable.  For a while it was just these two variations, but I can never resist tinkering so now there are an additional five variants.

In the first two versions the stars and the surrounding, intersecting rings are quite prominent.  The desaturated orange/blue version shows more of the background detail.    In the pink/sky blue version the star motifs and the surrounding segments look more like isolated motifs compared with the previous three versions.  Finally in the last version the pattern looks very different - the larger outer star is more prominent and the surrounding segments look more connected and are more of a feature than in any of the previous examples.

I had a lot of fun trying out all these colour combinations and I really like the results - especially the mint/blue and the retro green with the 70s vibe.  I could probably keep going, but at some point you just have to stop! So that will be all... (for now).

All of the variants except the original are available to buy in my Spoonflower and Redbubble shops.
Spoonflower Shop
​Redbubble Shop