A pattern is formed by applying a coating composition containing magnetic particles to an article so that a coating film is formed, and a plurality of sheet form magnets are placed along the front surface of this coating film. Adjacent sheet form magnets are arranged in such a state that the magnetic poles on the front surface and the magnetic poles on the back surface are different between adjacent sheet form magnets, and side surfaces of the sheet form magnets contact each other. The coating composition contains a thermoplastic resin, magnetic particles with flaky form and a specific low boiling point solvent and a specific high boiling point solvent. A magnetic field is applied to the coating film by the sheet form magnets, so that the magnetic particles in the coating film are oriented by the magnetic field and the magnetic particles are oriented substantially parallel to the front surface of the coating film above the contact portions between the sheet form magnets. Light is reflected from the magnetic particles in the coating film so that a pattern is formed.