A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel is fabricated in a simplified
process. The LCD panel includes a thin film transistor (TFT) array
substrate with a gate and data lines crossing each other to define a
pixel area, a TFT at the crossings of the gate and data lines, a
protective film, and a pixel electrode connected to the TFT and formed
within a pixel opening that is arranged at the pixel area and formed
through the protective film and a gate insulating film. A color filter
array substrate is joined to the TFT array substrate. A pattern spacer is
between the TFT and color filter array substrate and overlaps at least
one of the gate line, the data line, and the thin film transistor. A rib
is formed from the same layer as the pattern spacer and overlaps the
pixel electrode. Liquid crystal material is provided within the LCD
panel.