How to Repeat Patterns in Art
Artworks done by the masters might look as if they were created effortlessly, but the reality is that most artists, masters or not, plan their work by doing numerous sketches and studies. One of the most important elements in creating a piece of art is compositional considerations. A key element in composition is the repeat of patterns or form, which makes a piece pleasing to the eye as well as giving it a visual flow.
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Instructions
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Repeating Patterns in Art
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Study the works done by the old masters. This is one of the best methods for artists to teach themselves how to repeat patterns in art.
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Look closely at the work done by the masters and identify the repeat of shapes. This could be a number of circles or squares repeated, a biomorphic shape or a geometric pattern.
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Make sketched copies of masterworks to get a feel for how the artist utilized this technique. Many artists employ this technique as they are learning their craft. That's why you see people with sketch pads in museums, copying the work of other artists. They are trying to understand how the artist used certain techniques to create the overall look of the piece.
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Learn the simple ways that an artist repeats a form in a piece. Some of the simplest solutions are to create clusters of houses or tree branches, or to paint multiples of items like soda bottles or types of fruit in a basket.
Creating the Work
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Gather reference photos, make reference sketches or go out and photograph the information that you need. Within these elements you should try to determine if there are already basic shapes that repeat themselves, such as circles or squares.
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Make a study of your intended painting or drawing. You'll start pulling some of the elements of repeated form from your reference pieces and putting them into some initial studies of the work.
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Examine your sketches. What you want to look for at this stage are “gaps” in the visual picture. Are there enough forms repeating themselves throughout the picture?
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Make additional studies of your work if you've determined that your work is still lacking in compositional elements, including the repeating of patterns and forms.
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Create your final work once you've completed the foundational drawings for your work.
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Tips & Warnings
Look at the masterworks done by Manet and Renoir (see Resources). In the Manet, you see the repeat of patterns if you look at the foil on the bottles of champagne sitting on the bar. If you then look at the woman's head and neck in her dress, you'll see that same form repeated. You see this as well with the circular lights and the oranges in the bowl. With the Renoir, you see an obvious repeat of form in the umbrellas.
Studies are required to achieve maximum effect with most paintings and drawings. Be sure to plan in your sketches how you will repeat certain forms in your work. Otherwise the piece may appear “off” without your being able to pinpoint why.
References
- "Keys to Drawing"; Bert Dodson; 1990
- PhotoInf.Com: Composition and the Elements of Visual Design
- Goshen: Composition and Design Principles
