Tessellations

Featuring Artist M.C. Escher

Zwanen Swans

Sky and Water

Bond of Union

Drawing Hands

Eye

M.C. Escher 1898-1972 Escher was interested in order, repetition, and regularity. He often used themes in his work. He challenged viewers to rethink what was real. He used realistic detail to achieve clever visual puns and trickery.

What is a tessellation? A tessellation is a pattern of shapes that fit together in a way that leaves no space in between.

Tessellations Complex designs in which similarly shaped objects border one another to form a pattern. The pattern completely covers a surface area. The shapes interlock. There are NO gaps between shapes. Shapes do not overlap one another.

FIRST: Create your TEMPLATE Cut one side of your card. Tape that shape to the opposite side of your card in the same position. Cut a shape from the third side of your card and tape it to the opposite side of the card. THIS IS YOUR TEMPLATE. DO NOT LOSE YOUR TEMPLATE!!!!!!!!

SECOND: Design your Template On rough draft paper, outline your template in pencil. What does your shape remind you of? The more detail inside your shape, the better it will look!! Develop TWO color schemes to create your color pattern.

THIRD: Start your tessellation Starting anywhere on your drawing paper, trace your template. Fill entire page with template outline: Your template should fit together from every side! Add the design inside your tessellation shapes. Outline everything with black Sharpie.

FOURTH: Complete with Color Scheme With colored pencils, begin coloring your tessellation with your first chosen color scheme. Do this by creating a “checker board” pattern. Color remaining tessellations with your second color scheme. Remember to create value and to blend.