This post is the last part of my “About Series,” where I share the story behind Painting Around is Fun and how Pattern Play Collaborative Art came to life. You can read the full About page here. Whether you’re new here or curious about how it all began, welcome!
Why Pattern Play works
Everything I’ve developed – from the Beginner’s Guide to Collaborative Art to the Pattern Play Cards to the 7 Group Art Colour Schemes – grew from real-world experiences with:
- Kids and young people
- Parents and families
- Teams in schools, workplaces, and community groups
- People of all ages and abilities
- Groups with special needs (SEN)
- Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
- Beginners and “regular” people with little or no art experience
Over time, I noticed a pattern: when people of all ages and abilities are given clear, simple prompts and an open space to explore, something amazing happens. They feel safe to experiment, to make marks without judgement, and to see their contribution as part of a larger, shared creation. This is the heart of the Pattern Play method.
The Pattern Play collaborative art approach works because it balances structure and freedom:
- Structure comes from the patterns, colours, and techniques that guide participants.
- Freedom comes from the creative choices each person makes within that framework.
Another reason Pattern Play Collaborative Art works so well is that it follows a principle found both in art and in human psychology: too many choices create paralysis, while one clear next step inspires action. That’s why the process is intentionally simple and structured:
- Reducing overwhelm → instead of endless options, participants are guided with just a few patterns, steps, or colour choices.
- Clear next step → the flow from Messy Play → Explore → Bling! gives everyone a direction to follow.
- Confidence through simplicity → people feel safe to join in because it’s doable, not daunting.
By following this Pattern Play process, groups can:
- Quickly build confidence with creative decisions.
- Collaborate without comparison or pressure.
- Achieve visually rich and meaningful outcomes that everyone feels proud of.
It’s simple, inclusive, and repeatable – a system designed to make group painting joyful and accessible, whether you’re facilitating a classroom, community event, or a family gathering at home.
Pattern Play isn’t just about the end result. It’s about the process of connecting, exploring, and celebrating creativity together. And that’s why it works.
And YOU…
You don’t need to be an expert artist to make a difference. Whether you’re a teacher, a youth leader, a parent, or someone curious about guiding groups in creativity, you have everything you need to inspire connection and collaboration. With a few simple tools and a willingness to explore, you can lead groups of all ages and abilities to create joyful, shared art experiences — and watch the magic of people coming together unfold before your eyes.
To get started, join my email list below to receive the free Beginner’s Guide, which will walk you through your first project using cool colours like those in the gallery above. You can also follow the “How to” guide below to see for yourself how easy it is to create with this simple, structured, and encouraging process — designed to be clear for you as the facilitator and fun for the painters.
Happy Painting!
Charndra,
Your inclusive social art guide.
A Quick How-to Guide
Here’s a simple, beginner-friendly way to create a collaborative artwork using the Pattern Play method:
1. Messy Playing
Start with a shared canvas. Use big brushes to add circles, spirals, and arches from the edges. Add clusters of marks like dots, dashes, and smiles. Overlap your marks to build a playful base layer.
Tip: Big brushes help everyone loosen up and get painting!
👉 Pairs beautifully with the Mark Making and Circle Play from my Easy Pattern Play Pages for a playful, cohesive look.
2. Exploring
Add a layer of repeating patterns in a few related colours — rainbows, zigzags, leaves, or more circles. Use medium brushes to vary the lines and fill in spaces.
Tip: Medium brushes let you add variety and rhythm. Use one colour family per layer — only warm colours or only cool colours — for clean, vibrant results.
👉 Try using the Pattern Play Cards for simple, beginner-friendly patterns that anyone can follow.
3. Bling!
Use paint pens to decorate and doodle — outline, highlight, and add fine details. This part is often quiet and focused, bringing the artwork together beautifully. Use the same Pattern Play shapes and patterns from earlier layers to add ornamentation and a sense of cohesion.
Tip: Paint pens create clean lines and are loved by kids and adults alike.
Simple steps. Shared joy. Art made together:
✨ “I enjoyed having complete creative freedom and knowing that it didn’t need to be perfect. I noticed that students and teachers alike said it looked cool, and they wanted to join in. My favourite stage was the fine details; it allowed me to be really creative. I learnt that I’m allowed to not be perfect; I can go outside the lines and over the top!”
– Bella, from a school group creating a spontaneous mural using Pattern Play Collaborative Art.
FREE Guide + Mini Course: Learn the Easiest Way to Run a Collaborative Art Project
Sign up to get the Beginner’s Guide and a short email course that shows you how to plan, start, and guide your first Pattern Play project with confidence.
You’ll get weekly creative tips and group art ideas from me.
Bonus: You’ll also receive a special offer inside.
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