Abstract waves example

Abstract waves

INTRODUCTION

Patterns play a major role in graphical design and they are remarkably easy to create! There are countless possibilities to incorporate them into your artwork – from backgrounds to three-dimensional designs. Produce a seamless pattern with ease.

The Shape Tool, Effects, Selection Tools and other features of Pixelmator are used in this tutorial.

RESOURCES

PXM File

STEP 1

Open Pixelmator and create a new document. The image size used in this tutorial is 900×500 pixels. Then, select the Ellipse Shape Tool. Hold down the Shift key and draw a blue (color code – #006980) circle like in the example.

STEP 2

Next, create a new layer and name it “Lines”. Then, use the Paint Bucket Tool (N) to fill the layer with blue (color code – #006980). Control-click the “Lines” layer and choose Create Clipping Mask from the shortcut menu.

Now, open the Effects Browser by choosing View > Show Effects. Select the Halftone group in the Effects Browser and double-click the Circular thumbnail. Set Width to 20 px and Sharpness to 90%. Then, use the rope to point to the center of the shape as in the example below. Click OK. Finally, change the “Lines” layer’s Blending to Lighting.

STEP 3

Create a new layer and name it “White”. Use the Elliptical Marquee Tool (Y) to make a circular selection as in the example below. Then, Use the Paint Buck Tool (N) to fill the selection with white.

Next, select the “Shape”, “Lines” and “White” layers in the Layers Palette. Control-click the layers and choose Merge from the shortcut menu.

STEP 4

Now, choose Edit > Transform and resize the contents of the “White” layer to 15% of the original size. Use the Move Tool (V) to position the image on the left part of the canvas. The Tools Palette is hidden in the example to allow a better view.

STEP 5

Next, Control-click the “White” and choose Duplicate from the shortcut menu. Move the duplicate 50 px to the right. First, select the Move Tool (V) in the Tools Palette. Then, hold down the Shift key and press the Left Arrow key five times. Now, repeat these actions until you reach the right side of the canvas. Use the image below as a reference. Then, select the “White” layer and all of it’s copies in the Layers Palette. Control-click the layers and choose Merge from the shortcut menu.

STEP 6

Now, Control-click the “White copy 19” layer. Choose Duplicate from the shortcut menu. Use the Move Tool (V) to position the new layer as in the example below.

STEP 7

Merge the two “White” layers and use the Move Tool (V) to position them at the top of the canvas. Use the image below as a reference.

STEP 8

Now, Control-click the “White copy 18” layer and choose Duplicate from the shortcut menu. Then, use the Move Tool (V) to position the duplicate 20 px below. Repeat these actions, until the whole canvas is filled. Use the image below as a reference.

CONCLUSION

And that’s it for this tutorial! Patterns can be beneficial when there is too much empty space in a design. Below is an example of how to improve a composition with a simple pattern.