Flowers, Flowers, Flowers!
Bay & Brown Florals
From the very start of my career as a textile designer (way back when I was studying at Brunel University in Bucks, High Wycombe), I’ve been completely obsessed with flowers. Drawing them, painting them, turning them into patterns — organic imagery has always pulled me in, and honestly, I never looked back.
Over the years, both my own designs and those created by our incredibly talented Bay and Brown team have popped up on garments all over the world — thousands of them! You could say I’ve become a bit of a flower-print expert.
After creating thousands of patterns and painting more petals than I can count, I can safely say this: no two floral motifs are ever the same — just like in nature. A flower’s subtle twist, a change in shadow, or even the shape of its centre can completely transform a design. The beauty lies in the details.
But here’s the real secret: it’s all about the light.
To create truly great floral designs, you need to understand how light hits the petals. That’s what gives your flowers their dimension and movement. Want a quick tip? Grab a flower, hold it up to the light, and slowly rotate it. Watch how the glow shifts. Where do the shadows fall? Are the petals darker in the centre or at the edges? That kind of close observation can turn a nice print into a hero piece — the kind our clients build entire collections around.
Bay & Brown Florals
And here’s a non-negotiable rule: always use reference when designing florals. No freestyling!
One of the most common mistakes I see? Petals that look like little teeth. It usually happens when someone presses too hard with their brush or overworks the edges. The trick? Relax. Let the brush do the work. Practice. Pause. Breathe. Then practice again.
After 30 years of designing (and running Bay and Brown), I’ve gathered a whole library of tips and tricks — and I want to share them with you. These days, traditional drawing and painting skills are getting a bit lost, especially in schools. I was lucky to get a solid foundation in drawing growing up, and that’s what sparked my lifelong love for textiles.
Bay & Brown Florals
That’s exactly why we created our Digital Floral Package — it’s packed with helpful tips, techniques, and insights to boost your flower-painting skills. Whether you’re a complete beginner or just looking to refresh your style, this course is designed to help any surface pattern designer — not just those working in textiles.
Our videos give you clear, step-by-step guidance and cover the three most in-demand floral styles:
1. Traditional florals – the timeless blooms you’ll see all over our Instagram and across fashion runways.
2. Abstract florals – don’t underestimate these! Not everyone wants a classic bloom on their dress or stationery.
3. The humble ditsy – if you’re not sure what that is... Google it. There’s always room for a ditsy, trust me.
Bay & Brown Florals
We had such a laugh filming the videos (watch closely and you’ll see just how awkward I am talking to a camera compared to how confident I am with a pencil or paintbrush!). But it was all worth it — this package was a true team effort, created by the amazing Bay and Brown designers, right here in our London studio. The same team that supplies painted florals to the global textile market, season after season.
Got questions? We’d love to hear from you!
Email: design@bayandbrown.com
Or give us a ring on Wednesdays at the studio: +44 (0)207 033 0566
Bay & Brown Florals
We’re here to help you figure out if this course is the right fit — though honestly, we think you’re going to love it.
Tracey Brown