creating polish folk pattern envolving science symbols to create a stronger link and concept to marie curie

firstly i drew a recogniable polish pattern out by hand using photoreference

as i am still not 100% confident on illustrator after the previous studio brief, i have decided to attempt to use it again to create the polish pattern to hopefully improve my skills. i also know that illustrator is meant to be idea for creating shape illustrations. 

firstly i started off using the pen tool to creat the shapes as it it the only thing i know how to use 

subtly adding the radium element sign into a flower shape by using the circle tool. 

this was very time consuming, i wasn't particularly happy with the result as i think the flower looks too controlled with straight lines, i think they need to have fluid curvy lines it the pattern is going to take on all the characteristics of the original polish pattern 

i then discovered how to use the paint brush tool, which made it alot similar to paint curved shapes.