In this Skillshare class, entitled Design Christmas Collections in Procreate and Photoshop, Kristina Hultkrantz demonstrates her process for creating a mini collection of Christmas motifs. The collection consists of one main illustration and two complimentary patterns.

As this project is a Christmas collection, Hultkrantz begins with a discussion of the many types of Christmas themes. One of the most popular themes is the traditional Christmas theme. She suggests the use of a red and green based color scheme and the usual icons, such as trees, ornaments and gifts. For the spiritual or religious and the humorous themes, she suggests different color schemes and icons. Finally, she discusses what makes up an extended theme.

Once the basics of what makes a collection are covered, Hultkrantz discusses how she begins to plan her own collections. Starting in Procreate, she suggests building a color palette first. For the main illustration, which is a theme based character, she demonstrates how she begins with a rough sketch for the character. Basically she draws a thumbnail sketch for this character. Moving on to the first, more complex, pattern, Hultkrantz makes a rough sketch of the supporting characters to be featured in the pattern, such as a snowman. For the second pattern design, she suggest the use of simple theme based icons, such as snowflakes and gifts.

Once the rough sketch for the main illustration is complete, Hultkrantz begins a more formal illustration over the top of the sketch. She finalizes the background color and blocks in the main colors, shadows and highlights for the character. She also adds the multi-colored text to this main character illustration.

Hultkrantz moves the main character illustration in to Photoshop, where she condenses and organizes the layers. She also copies this final illustration to a sell sheet, which she has already prepared for marketing her new collection.

Going back to Procreate, Hultkrantz begins working on the first pattern design. This design contains the secondary characters, including a snowman, bear and penguins. Again she starts from the rough sketch and finalizes the characters. Inside Photoshop, she uses the Pattern Maker tool to arrange the characters and icons in to a final pattern design. She also copies this design to her sell sheet.

Now Hultkrantz repeats the process again for the second, more simple pattern design. This design is made from simple gifts and other themed icons, including snowflakes. Again she moves the final sketch into Photoshop to build the pattern with the Pattern Maker tool and to finalize the sell sheet.

With these three pieces, the collection is complete. Hultkrantz finishes the course with a discussion of how her process can be used to build a larger collection. She also suggests other themes that might work with the process, such as birthdays, weddings and more.

Hultkrantz has included two download PDFs, which are Christmas Themes and Collections Reference Guide.

Design Christmas Collections in Procreate and Photoshop by Kristina Hultkrantz
https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/Design-Christmas-Collections-in-Procreate-and-Photoshop/601063089

Screenshots used by permission of Skillshare, Inc.