How to Create a Tessellation

Member

By amberdawn
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating:

(40 Ratings)

Create a Tessellation

Do you like M.C. Escher's art? Do you like to trace and color? Do you like patterns and design? If so, try this introduction to creating your own tessellation.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Heavy paper (an index card works great)
A pencil
an 8 1/2 by 11" paper (depending on how large you would like your image to be)
Markers or other coloring materials

Step 1

M.C. Escher made patterns

To create any tessellation, start with a square tile (thick heavy paper like an index card works fine). Draw a line from on corner to an adjacent corner on 2 adjacent sides. For this demonstration, this will be the top and right. Cut these pieces out.

(click the pictures for a larger image!)
Step 2

Escher patterns are tessellations

To create the simplest type of tessellation, the translation, slide each piece to its opposite side. Tape the edges together to create this new shape.
Step 3

Tessellation patterns look busy and fun

Trace the tile on a paper that's at least 4 times larger than the tile, depending on how many repetitions you would like.

Tip: Some people like to draw a grid for a guideline as shown here, then erase it for the final project, but it's not necessary.
Step 4

Make tessellation patterns

Slide the tile to the left to trace, as well as above. Notice they will all interlock if you did the previous steps correctly. Repeat for the left and below. Continue tracing until the page is filled.
Step 5

Vivid tessellation

Color as you wish!