By Rachel Parker

In the first video of three in the ‘Exciting Colour‘ series by surface pattern designer Rachel Parker, she shows us how she collects colours from magazines to inspire new and exciting designs. Become a member to access the full video below.

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AccessArt is a UK Charity and we believe everyone has the right to be creative. AccessArt provides inspiration to help us all reach our creative potential.

What We Like About This Resource…

“It’s really nice to see that although Rachel Parker works quite digitally, her process from the beginning is very tactile. Rachels books act as a really great source of inspiration, helping to break down the creative blocks that we all get from time to time. Having a sketchbook dedicated to colour means that as well as working with colours that you already love, you can test new colour palettes and see colours from a new perspective. I especially love how Rachel picks up on the different tones in colours by looking at the way light hits it in order build her colour palette around those supporting tones as well as big statement colours.” – Tobi, AccessArt

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Which Artists: Rachel Parker

Find out about Rachel’s journey to becoming a pattern designer

Make Repeat Patterns

A resource by Rachel Parker to help students build repeat patterns

Exciting Colour

A collection of resources by Rachel Parker to help you build your own colour moodboard

What We Like About This Resource…

“It’s great to see how a simple exercise such as colour collecting, which can be done in a classroom setting, is also used in a professional capacity. This gives the activity a clear context and purpose. It’s nice to see Rachel’s  decisions being made in real time, it demonstrates how artists are constantly reflecting on and self evaluating their own decisions. Rachel also shows us that she sometimes gets colour palettes from photos that she’s taken herself, this is really exciting because it demonstrates how the artists experience is central to their work. Students will be able to bring their own experience and personality to this activity by having complete control over what their colour moodboard becomes.” – Tobi, AccessArt

See How This Resource Is Used in Schools…

You Might Also Like…

Which Artists: Rachel Parker

Find out about Rachel’s journey to becoming a pattern designer

Make Repeat Patterns

A resource by Rachel Parker to help students build repeat patterns

Exciting Colour

A collection of resources by Rachel Parker to help you build your own colour moodboard

What We Like About This Resource…

“Rachel’s work is so vibrant and full of joy, it’s really exciting to see how she starts to form creative ideas around colour. Rachel highlights the importance of colour trends but also gives herself the opportunity to create her own trends which adds a level of playfulness and personality to her colour exploration. Seeing her colour books translate into fabric demonstrates a real clarity in her decision making process.” – Tobi, AccessArt.

You Might Also Like…

Which Artists: Rachel Parker

Find out about Rachel’s journey to becoming a pattern designer

Make Repeat Patterns

A resource by Rachel Parker to help students build repeat patterns

Exciting Colour

A collection of resources by Rachel Parker to help you build your own colour moodboard

What We Like About This Resource…

“This is a great activity for really tuning into colour and shape. The process is ultimately quite a refined one (ie making a pattern balanced and repeated ‘correctly’) – but there’s plenty of scope for exploring pattern in a more experiential way prior to the refinement page. Try one of the recommended resources below to introduce pattern and begin with some open ended activities to build skill and confidence.” – Andrea, AccessArt

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Pathway: Exploring pattern

This is featured in the ‘Exploring Pattern’ pathway

Talking Points: Andy Gilmore

talking points: Louise Despont

Inspired by Rachel Parker

Teachers Explore Pattern, Shape and Texture

Block Printing Repeat Patterns

What We Like About This Resource

“It’s really interesting to see the combination of hand and digital work in Rachel’s work, and particularly how her hand stitched embroidery is scanned before being used to create patterned products. We love that lots of Rachel’s work begins in sketchbooks and how this really underpins her creative process. For children in school, learning to utilise a sketchbook and discover their potential though drawing and mapping ideas is invaluable. We have a whole Sketchbook Journey section on the AccessArt website (linked below) which explores this in more detail”. – Rachel, AccessArt.

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Pathway: Exploring pattern

This is featured in the ‘Exploring Pattern’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see

Inspired by Rachel Parker

Sewn Treasure Box

Felt and Embroidery Sets