Exploring repeated patterns is a great way to concentrate on looking at art in the natural world. Too often we forget to look carefully at things and once we do, we see how wonderful patterns can be. Take a cabbage, for example, cut through it and see the many spirals and shapes inside. Many artists have been inspired by the repetitive forms in nature and use them to create a sense of movement within their work. Some artists have made repetition part of their art-making process, to make a statement about the world we live in, see Andy Warhol’s ‘Campbells Soup Cans’.

ACTIVITY: FISH TESSELLATION

Draw a rectangle and mark halfway down on the right-hand side. Using this point as a guide, cut off the two triangular corners and move them to the left-hand side. When you have a fish shape, use this as a template to cut out in card. Using your fish template, draw around it and then move the fish so they fit next to each other. Continue with this until you have filled up your paper. Use different coloured pencils to outline the fish. Can you see the fish shape now? Can you see how the pattern has been repeated? How many fish are there now?

MATERIALS

• Coloured pencils
• Paper
• White card
• Scissors

TIPS

Try creating other animal templates that will fit together to form one image.

Artist Inspiration:

Andy Warhol, MC Escher, Anni Albers, Damien Hirst

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