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.