This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we may earn commission for qualifying purchases. See our disclaimer for more information.

Are you ready to add a vibrant and captivating touch to your digital designs?

In this step-by-step tutorial, we will guide you through the process of creating a mesmerizing repeating rainbow pattern using Adobe Photoshop.

Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just starting your creative journey, this tutorial will help you master the art of crafting stunning patterns that can be used in various projects.

Setting the Stage: Creating the Canvas

Before we dive into the exciting world of colors and patterns, let’s start by setting up our canvas in Adobe Photoshop.

Open Adobe Photoshop and create a new document:

  • Dimensions: 2400 pixels by 2400 pixels
  • Resolution: 300 pixels per inch
  • Color Mode: RGB Color
  • Background Content: Transparent

Building the Rainbow: Crafting the Colorful Circles

Our rainbow pattern will begin to take shape with a series of colorful circles. Follow these steps to bring the magic to life:

1. Create the first circle:

  • Select the Ellipse Tool (IU) or press Shift + U to toggle between tools.
  • Click on the canvas to draw a circle with dimensions 1200 pixels by 1200 pixels.
  • Center the circle on the canvas.

2. Duplicate and diversify:

  • Duplicate the circle layer (Command/Ctrl + J).
  • Change the color of the duplicated circle (e.g., orange).
  • Resize the duplicated circle to 75% (Command/Ctrl + T, maintain aspect ratio).

3. Repeat for the third circle:

  • Duplicate the previous circle layer (Command/Ctrl + J).
  • Change the color of the duplicated circle (e.g., yellow).
  • Resize the duplicated circle to 50%.

4. Rasterize and prepare for the next steps:

  • Select all circle layers and rasterize them.
  • Create a guideline aligned to the canvas center.
  • Use the Marquee Tool (M) to select half of the circle.
  • Duplicate the selection (Command/Ctrl + J) and delete the original circle.

Assembling the Rainbow: Arranging the Halves

Now, let’s bring the rainbow halves together and fine-tune their arrangement:

1. Duplicate and align:
– Duplicate the half-circle layer (Command/Ctrl + J).
– Align the duplicate to the center.
– Create guides to assist in precise placement.

2. Complete the rainbow:
– Duplicate the half-circle layer again (Command/Ctrl + J).
– Move the duplicate to align with the previous half, forming a full circle.
– Add a Color Fill layer to complete the bottom of the circle (e.g., yellow).

3. Adjust and finalize:
– Experiment with the position of the rainbow halves.
– Fine-tune their placement until you achieve the desired effect.

4. Convert to a Smart Object:
– Select all rainbow layers and convert them to a Smart Object.

Capturing the Pattern: Defining and Applying

Our rainbow masterpiece is nearly complete! Let’s capture the pattern and apply it to create a stunning digital scrapbook paper:

1. Define the pattern:
– Open the Patterns Panel (Window > Patterns).
– Use the Marquee Tool (M) to select the entire rainbow.
– Edit > Define Pattern and give your pattern a name.

2. Apply the pattern to a new document:
– Create a new document for the digital scrapbook paper:
– Dimensions: 3600 pixels by 3600 pixels
– Resolution: 300 pixels per inch
– Color Mode: RGB Color
– Background Content: Transparent
– Add a Pattern Adjustment Layer and select your newly defined pattern.

3. Adjust and export:
– Fine-tune the pattern scale and orientation as desired.
– Export the digital scrapbook paper as a high-quality JPEG file.

Conclusion: Unleash Your Creativity

Congratulations! You’ve successfully crafted a captivating repeating rainbow pattern in Adobe Photoshop. This versatile technique allows you to infuse your designs with vibrant energy and playfulness. Feel free to experiment with colors, shapes, and arrangements to create unique patterns that suit your artistic vision.

Looking for more Pattern Design Tutorials?