How To Draw A Tessellation

What is Tessellation?

Tessellation is the process of creating a pattern or design by fitting together shapes of the same size and shape. The term tessellation comes from the Latin word tessella, which means “little square.” Tessellations can be used to decorate walls, floors, and other surfaces and can be used to create patterns in many different art forms, such as mosaics and stained glass. Tessellations are also found in nature, such as in the patterns of honeycomb cells and in the hexagonal shapes of some crystals.

How to Draw a Tessellation?

Drawing a tessellation is a fun and creative way to explore shapes, patterns, and colors. The first step in creating a tessellation is to choose a shape. This shape can be a square, a triangle, a hexagon, or any other shape you can imagine. Once you have chosen the shape, you will need to draw multiple copies of that shape, connecting them together to create a pattern.

When drawing a tessellation, it is important to remember to leave no gaps between the shapes. If there are gaps in between the shapes, the pattern will not be complete. Additionally, each shape must fit perfectly against the adjacent shapes in order to create a unified design.

When beginning to draw a tessellation, it is important to start with a simple pattern. This will help you to become familiar with the concept of tessellations and give you an idea of what the final product should look like. Once you are comfortable with the basics, you can begin to experiment with different patterns, shapes, and colors.

Symmetry in Tessellations

Symmetry is an important element in tessellations. Symmetry is the property of a figure or design that remains unchanged when it is reversed or turned upside down. Tessellations can be constructed with either reflections or rotations of the shape, or both. Reflection symmetry occurs when the shape is reflected across a line or axis, while rotation symmetry occurs when the shape is rotated around an axis.

For example, a square tessellation with reflection symmetry would look the same when it is turned upside down, while a tessellation with rotation symmetry would look the same when it is rotated by 90 degrees. The more symmetry a tessellation has, the more intricate and interesting the pattern will be.

Tessellation Inspirations

If you are looking for inspiration for your tessellations, you can look to nature and other art forms. Examples of tessellations in nature include the hexagons of honeycomb cells and the scales of a pinecone. You can also look to other art forms for inspiration, such as Islamic art, which often uses tessellations to create intricate designs.

Finally, you can also look to the work of renowned artist M.C. Escher for inspiration. Escher was a master of tessellations and his work often featured animals, people, and other figures in tessellated patterns. By studying his work, you can learn how to create your own intricate tessellations.

Conclusion

Drawing tessellations is a fun and creative way to explore shapes, patterns, and colors. By following these steps and using some inspiration from nature and the work of M.C. Escher, you can create your own beautiful tessellations. So grab your pencils and paper and let your creativity flow!